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The No. 4 Vanderbilt Commodores will face the No. 7 Mississippi State Bulldogs in the College World Series Finals starting Monday evening from TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha. Game 1 will air on ESPN2, Game 2 will air on ESPN, and if necessary, Game 3 will air on ESPN2. The CWS Finals will stream on WatchESPN.
The Vandy Boys are right back to defend their 2019 championship after the lost season of 2020, and bring two future first round draft picks in Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter. They advanced partially thanks to the protocols of the NCAA that kept the NC State Wolfpack from fielding a team after starting the tournament 2-0, and then eventually forfeiting what would have been the deciding contest on that side of the bracket.
During the SEC regular season, the ‘Dores took two of three from MSU on the last weekend in April. A 6-2 complete-game performance from Rocker on Friday, April 23rd opened the sereis, but Mississippi State beat Leiter for his first loss of the season in a 7-4 win on Saturday. Vandy flipped the score 7-4 in their favor on Sunday.
MSU has a long and proud tradition in “Starkvegas,” particularly in baseball. But the Bulldogs have never won a national championship in any sport, the only SEC team missing a ring, and will look to break that streak by Wednesday.
Christian MacLeod will start Game 1 for #Omadawgs, who advanced on a a 4-3 walkoff win over Texas in the eliminator. MacLeod was less than stellar against Virginia in MSU’s opener in Omaha, giving up four runs in 1.1 innings. His 4.61 ERA this season will need to improve against Leiter, who is expected to get the ball for the Commodores.
Odds to win 2021 College World Series Finals from DraftKings Sportsbook:
Vanderbilt -200
Mississippi State +150
Schedule for 2021 College World Series Finals
Game 1: Monday, June 28th 7:00 p.m. ESPN2, WatchESPN
Game 2: Monday, June 29th 7:00 p.m. ESPN, WatchESPN
Game 3*: Monday, June 30th 7:00 p.m. ESPN2, WatchESPN
*if necessary