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Tennessee is a big betting favorite over Evansville in Game 3 of Knoxville Super Regional
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Tennessee is a significant betting favorite against Evansville in a winner-take-all Game 3 on Sunday evening.
The Vols lost Game 2 on Saturday 10-8 despite jumping out to an early 5-0 lead. But entering Sunday’s contest, the betting markets are clearly giving the edge to Tennessee.
Here’s a look at the latest betting odds from FanDuel for Game 3:
Tennessee vs. Evansville betting lines | Game 3
Run line: Tennessee -4.5 runs (-160) | Evansville +4.5 runs (+122)
Money line: Tennessee -620 | Evansville +400
Total: Over 15.5 (-118) | Under 15.5 (-112)
States: MA, NJ, PA, VA, MD, WV, TN, LA, KS, KY, NC, AZ, CO, IA, WY, IL, IN, OH, MI, NY
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Despite the loss on Saturday, Tennessee is a big favorite in the decisive Game 3 against the Purple Aces. The Vols appear to have a significant pitching advantage going into the final game (more on that later).
Evansville entered the weekend at +480 to win this series, so sportsbooks have shifted the odds slightly in the Purple Aces’ favor since the start of the weekend. At -600, Tennessee was the biggest favorite of any Super Regional host before the series began.
Evansville is trying to become just the 4th No. 4-seed all-time to reach the College World Series. The most recent was Oral Roberts just last year, who won a game in Omaha before losing 2 straight to end their Cinderella run. Fresno State in 2008 and Stony Brook in 2012 are the other 4-seeds who have reached Omaha.
Tennessee vs. Evansville projected pitching matchups
Tennessee probable pitcher: Zander Sechrist | 3.60 ERA in 60 innings | 60 strikeouts | 14 walks
Sechrist is a senior lefty who has pitched very well in recent outings. He’s allowed just 2 total earned runs in his last 3 starts over 16.2 innings of work against South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Southern Miss. Tennessee also started a lefty in Chris Stamos on Friday, but he was removed from the game in the 2nd inning after he gave up a 2-run homer to Evansville’s Cal McGinnis. Evansville has 3 left-handed hitters in its usual starting lineup.
Evansville’s lineup has been effective all weekend. The Purple Aces scored 6 on Friday and followed that performance up with 10 runs on Saturday. They also came back from multi-run deficits in both games, which is something to keep in mind in the late innings on Sunday if the Vols are able to build an early lead. Tennessee has used many of its bullpen arms already this weekend, so it needs a long start from Sechrist on Sunday night to stay comfortable.
Interested in betting on this game? Here’s a breakdown of all the top-rated TN sportsbooks apps to help you get started!
Evansville probable pitcher: Kevin Reed | 7.38 ERA in 57.1 innings | 40 strikeouts | 26 walks
It’s remarkable Evansville has made it this far without a reliable 3rd starter, but that’s the situation it finds itself in on Sunday in Knoxville. The Purple Aces are likely to turn to freshman Kevin Reed, who gave up 7 runs against East Carolina in his most recent outing. Before that, Illinois State tagged Reed for 6 runs in just 1.2 innings. If Evansville does turn to Reed, he’ll likely be on a short leash.
Evansville has already used bullpen ace Shane Harris in both games this series, so his availability for Sunday is certainly in question. Harris is perhaps Evansville’s best overall pitcher as he has a 3.88 ERA on the season. In both of Reed’s previous 2 outings, it was Harris who came in for long-relief appearances. If he’s unavailable for Sunday, that would put Evansville in a tough spot. He did pitch 3 times in a 4-day span against East Carolina in the Regional round last week.
Tennessee’s lineup has been excellent so far in this series, scoring 19 runs over the first 2 games against the Purple Aces. The Vols have hit an impressive 7 home runs across those 2 games. Blake Burke and Hunter Ensley have both left the yard twice so far. Tennessee leads the nation in home runs this year with 166, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see that threat continue in Game 3.
First pitch in Knoxville is set for 6 p.m. ET on Sunday night.
States: MA, NJ, PA, VA, MD, WV, TN, LA, KS, KY, NC, AZ, CO, IA, WY, IL, IN, OH, MI, NY
21+ and present in a state with legal sports gaming. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
