2021 College World Series preview: Vanderbilt vs. Arizona betting odds, picks, analysis, more

(Vanderbilt Athletics)

Here are the resources you need for Vanderbilt vs. Arizona on June 19 at the 2021 College World Series.

Vanderbilt vs. Arizona betting odds (via DraftKings)

Run Line: Arizona -1.5 (+170), Vanderbilt +1.5 (-200)

Over/Under: 11.5

Moneyline: Vanderbilt -115, Arizona -105

Projected starting pitchers

Vanderbilt: Kumar Rocker (R) 106 IP, 13-3, 2.46 ERA, 0.95 runners/inning, 10% free pass rate, 37% K

Arizona: Chase Silseth (R) 91 IP, 8-1, 5.54 ERA, 1.60 base runners per inning, 14% free pass rate, 36% K

Vanderbilt's road to Omaha

Record: (45-15)

RPI: 2 (No. 10 strength of schedule)

League finish: second (SEC East)

Coach: Tim Corbin (798-374-1 at Vanderbilt, 19th season)

CWS appearance: 5th

National titles: 2014, 2019

Vanderbilt battled inexperience (none of its lineup regulars played a prominent role on the 2019 national title team), injuries (the Commodores lost prominent arms Michael Doolin and Sam Hliboki for the season, and a number of hitters missed significant time) and a brutal schedule in its regular season, missing out on an opportunity to win the SEC East due to a Game Three rainout in its Alabama series.

But once Vanderbilt got to the NCAA tournament, the No. 4 national seed does what it always does in this event: win. The Commodores are 5-0 in the tournament heading into Omaha, having swept East Carolina in the Nashville Super Regional by a 6-1 combined score to get here. 

Vanderbilt allowed just one run in its two Super Regional wins over East Carolina. The Commodores lead the nation in fewest hits allowed per nine innings (5.97) and WHIP (1.07).

Read our in-depth College World Series preview for Vanderbilt at this link.

Arizona's road to Omaha

Record: (45-16)

RPI: 8 (No. 19 strength of schedule)

League finish: Won the Pac-12

Coach: Jay Johnson (280-154, 208-111 at Arizona in 6th year)

CWS appearance: 18th

National titles: Four

The Pac 12 champions are the nation’s most prolific scoring team. The Wildcats lead the nation with 528 runs scored and have scored 10 or more runs 24 times this season. UA scored 25 runs in its two wins over Ole Miss in the Super Regionals and are averaging 8.2 runs per game in the NCAA Tournament. Arizona has scored in 170 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the conference.

Arizona won the outright Pac 12 championship this season for the first time since 1992. It was the school’s 10^th conference title. The 21 conference wins are the second most in program history.

One of the storylines of the College World Series will be Arizona’s offense vs. Vanderbilt’s pitching staff, especially sure fire first-round selections Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter.

In addition to leading the nation in runs scored, Arizona leads the county in hits (712), doubles (138) and triples (29). Their home ballpark Hi Corbett Field is spacious and plays similar to TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha.

Read our in-depth College World Series preview for Arizona at this link.

Southeastern 14's Game Pick for Vanderbilt vs. Arizona

Vanderbilt will throw Kumar Rocker in the opener. Rocker, in his career, has a 0.63 ERA in 47 and two-thirds career NCAA tournament innings with 64 strikeouts and 10 walks. Oh, by the way, he was the MVP the last time the College World Series was played in 2019. Arizona scores a ton of runs, and we're concerned about Rocker's pitch count going up. However, it's hard to pick against the defending champion and reigning MVP.

Pick: Vanderbilt 

Southeastern 14's Best Bet for Vanderbilt vs. Arizona

Pick: Under 11.5

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