For the first time in six years, the men’s College World Series features a school making its first trip to Omaha, one of particular note for Kentucky sportsbooks. That team is the Kentucky Wildcats, which makes its debut after a couple of near misses in recent years.
The 45-14 “Bat Cats” are the No. 2 seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament, and they’ve won all five games so far at the regional and super regional levels.
However, with the tournament down to the final eight teams, the competition will get a little harder. This year UK is one of four SEC schools to make it to the CWS. The Cats went 2-1 against the Florida Gators in the regular season and 1-2 against the Tennessee Volunteers. They did not face the Texas A&M Aggies this season.
Despite their high seeding, recent history does not bode well for first-time participants in the College World Series, as the following chart with data from the NCAA shows.
How Teams Have Fared In First College World Series Since 2000
Team | Year | 1st app rec | 1st app finish |
Louisiana | 2000 | 2-2 | T-3rd |
San Jose St. | 2000 | 0-2 | T-7th |
Nebraska | 2001 | 0-2 | T-7th |
Tulane | 2001 | 1-2 | T-5th |
Missouri St. | 2003 | 0-2 | T-7th |
Louisville | 2007 | 1-2 | T-5th |
UC Irvine | 2007 | 2-2 | T-3rd |
Southern Miss. | 2009 | 0-2 | T-7th |
Virginia | 2009 | 1-2 | T-5th |
TCU | 2010 | 3-2 | T-3rd |
Vanderbilt | 2011 | 2-2 | T-3rd |
Kent St. | 2012 | 1-2 | T-5th |
Stony Brook | 2012 | 0-2 | T-7th |
Indiana | 2013 | 1-2 | T-5th |
Texas Tech | 2014 | 0-2 | T-7th |
Coastal Carolina | 2016 | 6-2 | 1st |
UC Santa Barbara | 2016 | 1-2 | T-5th |
Washington | 2018 | 0-2 | T-7th |
History Not On Kentucky's Side
Only twice since 2000 has any school won three or more games at its first College World Series, something to consider on Kentucky betting apps this weekend. That includes Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers in 2016 were the first team since the Minnesota Golden Gophers 60 years before them to win it all on their first try. Even with their six wins, the 18 previous CWS rookies have a combined record of 21-36.
Oddsmakers aren’t completely writing off UK just yet. At Fanatics Sportsbook Kentucky, the Wildcats are the third choice on the futures board. Their odds of +500 are only longer than the Vols (+250) and Aggies (+280).
If you’re new to Kentucky baseball, a couple players to watch are pitcher Ty Pooser and first baseman Ryan Nicholson, both of whom came to the Cats through the transfer portal. Pooser, a grad transfer who previously played at the College of Charleston, is UK’s ace. He’s 7-1 with a 3.46 earned run average for the season and has allowed just one run in 14 innings so far in NCAA play.
Nicholson, a grad who came from Cincinnati, leads Kentucky in homers (21), runs batted in (61) and slugging percentage (.675). He’s had a hit in each of the team’s five NCAA games, including three home runs.
When Does UK Play?
Kentucky opens CWS play Saturday afternoon against North Carolina State. The Wildcats are a -145 favorite against the Wolfpack in the opener for both teams. ESPN will broadcast the game, which is scheduled to start at 2 pm ET.
The College World Series format divides the eight teams into two pods of four. Those pods play a double-elimination bracket, meaning a team is out once it loses twice. The two teams remaining will play in a best-of-three series to determine the national champion.
Besides NC State, the other teams in UK’s pod are the Aggies and the Gators. If UK wins Saturday, they’ll play the winner of A&M and Florida on Monday. If UK loses, it sets up an elimination game, which is also scheduled for Monday.
Stick with BetKentucky throughout the CWS for the best Kentucky sportsbook promos.
USA Today photo by Jordan Prather.
