TCU vs. Oral Roberts College World Series 2023: Odds, Preview, TV Start Time
The TCU Horned Frogs (43-23) face the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (52-13) in an elimination game Tuesday afternoon at the Men’s College World Series. Despite losing to ORU in its CWS opener, TCU is a -155 favorite while the Golden Eagles can be found as long as +130. This loser-goes-home game begins June 20 at 2 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN. ORU remains the longest shot in College World Series odds boards at +5000. TCU has the second-longest odds remaining in the field at +2200, both teams needing to upend Florida twice in a row to advance to the finals. Below, we’ll compare TCU vs. Oral Roberts odds at the best sports betting sites.
College World Series: TCU vs. Oral Roberts Odds
How Each Team Got Here
Oral Roberts used a late-game rally to upend TCU in the opening round on Friday, 6-5. The Horned Frogs led the game 5-2 before ORU piled on four runs in the top of the ninth, emphasized by Blaze Brothers‘ homer in the top of the ninth. That’s been the MO for Oral Roberts this postseason – rally, rally, rally.
TCU kept themselves alive with a solid 4-3 win over Virginia, thanks to a lights-out finish from pitcher Ben Abeldt. With Kole Klecker and Sam Stoutenborough having pitched in Games 1 and 2, TCU likely looks to a third arm, Cam Brown (3-2, 5.50 ERA). The Golden Eagles bring out ace Brooks Fowler, who’s been brought out in each of ORU’s clinching games – in the Summit League championship, the final game of the Stillwater Regional, and the winner-take-all Game 3 in the Eugene Super Regional.
Since outscoring opponents 44-13 in the Fayetteville Regional, TCU has just a +4 run differential in the Super Regional and CWS rounds. However, their pitching has improved greatly, save for the ninth inning collapse against ORU the last time out. With relievers Garrett Wright (3.21 ERA, five saves) and Abeldt having just pitched Sunday, TCU comes into this game with a pitching disadvantage.
Of the eight CWS games so far played, six of them had a one-run differential. ORU has also played five one-run games in their eight postseason games thus far. The Golden Eagles are 4-1 in such games.
Omaha Weather
No precipitation is anticipated during this game and highs are expected to reach 92º. However, a stiff breeze out of center field (10-12 mph) may knock down fly balls in this game. Oral Roberts much more relies on the home run ball than TCU to score, giving the Golden Eagles a disadvantage here.
Projected Starting Pitchers
TCU may not announce its starting pitcher until game time. However, we can speculate on who will take the mound Tuesday:
- TCU: Cam Brown (3-2, 5.50 ERA, 5.90 FIP)
- Oral Roberts: Brooks Fowler (9-1, 3.27 ERA, 5.88 FIP)
Brown’s numbers might jump off the page as a liability. The junior spent a good portion of the season injured and came into 2023 with the expectation of being the team’s ace. He last pitched June 5 against Arkansas, where he allowed two hits, but issued four walks and gave up four runs. In his start before that (May 24 against Kansas State), he issued six walks.
As mentioned, ORU breaks out Fowler for their most dire games. He’s won all three of those, but allowed 10 runs and six home runs. There’s a marked difference in starts against tougher competition – against RPI top-50 competition, Fowler posts a 5.50 ERA (four games), versus a 3.10 ERA against teams outside the top 50 (12 games).
TCU Vs. Oral Roberts Odds Analysis
Oral Roberts has the pitching advantage in this game, but with how hard it will be to hit home runs, it may hurt the Golden Eagles’ offense. Caesars Sportsbook posts the best number on TCU at time of publish at -155 (60.8%). FanDuel Sportsbook posts the longest odds for Oral Roberts at +130 (43.5%). At this time, I don’t see value in either number.
The run total varies from book to book. At BetMGM, the total can be found as low as 11.5 (Over -125); at FanDuel, that number opened at 12.5 (Under -132), but quickly fell to 11.5. In Omaha, favorites on the moneyline, underdogs +1.5, and under totals are a combined 19-4-1 against the opening number, per Matt Grissom on Twitter.
However, live opportunities may present themselves Tuesday. Should Brown issue a few walks or the wind not be as much a factor in knocking down long flies, then ORU live may offer value.
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