A look at LSU/Arky from a betting perspective..

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It’s a shame that these two SEC powerhouses wound up on the same side of the bracket, but it’s great that they face off in the opening round. For that reason, we get to see them at full strength with both aces on the mound.

This will be Round 2 between LSU’s Kade Anderson and Arkansas’ Zach Root. Back in May, these two dueled in Baton Rouge, where Arkansas led, 3-2, by the time both pitchers departed in the seventh.

That game wound up being a classic, as the Tigers won in the 10th. This second meeting has the potential to deliver as well.

In the first matchup, Arkansas put up three runs on seven hits against Anderson, but it also struck out 10 times. If they can cut down on the strikeouts, the Razorbacks should get to Anderson again. The Hogs have crushed left-handed pitching this season, ranking fourth in wRC+ and OPS against lefties.

The Tigers' splits, meanwhile, are the opposite. They’ve done much more damage against righties while also having a much higher strikeout rate against left-handed pitching.

Those splits point to success for Root, who’s been dialed in during the postseason. Root threw six shutout innings of three-hit ball against Creighton and then followed it up with seven innings against Tennessee, where his only blemish was a solo homer.

The arms that come in after Root and company are what make the Razorback the favorite to win it all. The Arkansas bullpen has depth and length unlike any other.

As a unit, the Hogs ranked fourth in ERA and WHIP while ranking second in SIERA. On top of that, they've had the best xFIP in the country over their last 10 games.

Back Arkansas to take this matchup and begin their march toward a national title.

Pick: Arkansas ML -120

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