Jun 23, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Tennessee Volunteers second baseman Christian Moore (1) celebrates after a two-run home run by left fielder Dylan Dreiling (not pictured) against the Texas A&M Aggies during the seventh inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
- Tennessee forced a winner-take-all Game 3 in the 2024 College World Series with a 4-1 win over Texas A&M
- With both teams likely to have their number-two starters on the mound, the top-ranked Volunteers are sizable favorites to win the national championship
- See the Game 3 Texas A&M vs Tennessee odds, predictions, and probable pitchers on Monday, June 24
The Texas A&M Aggies (53-14) were on the verge of their first-ever national championship on Sunday, holding a 1-0 lead on the high-octane Tennessee Volunteers (58-13) with just three innings to play. But a pair of two-run homers in the seventh and eighth put the Vols on top, forcing a decisive Game 3 in the 2024 College World Series final.
The winner-take-all game is scheduled for 6:00 pm CT/7:00 pm ET at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha on Monday, June 24. The Volunteers, who were +260 favorites to win the eight-team College World Series at the outset of the tournament, are now -220 chalk to win their first-ever national championship in Monday’s Texas A&M vs Tennessee Game 3 odds.
Texas A&M vs Tennessee Game 3 Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M Aggies | +170 | +1.5 (-100) | O 10 (-115) |
| Tennessee Volunteers | -220 | -1.5 (-130) | U 10 (-115) |
The Aggies come back as +170 underdogs while the run total remains at 10.5, despite an uncharacteristically low-scoring game on Sunday afternoon.
Odds as of June 23 at DraftKings. Use these sportsbook promo codes to bet on the 2024 College World Series final.
The starting pitching matchup for Game 3 is all but certain. The Aggies will send number-two starter Justin Lamkin to the bump opposite UT #2 Zander Sechrist.
Both have been solid in Omaha. Sechrist pitched 6.1 innings in a 7-2 win over Florida State on Wednesday, allowing just two runs on five hits and a walk with three Ks. That’s been his only action at the CWS so far.
Lamkin’s last outing was downright dazzling, pitching 5.0 shutout innings against Florida last Wednesday with just three hits, one walk, and nine strikeouts. Lamking also pitched 3.0 shutout innings against the Gators on Saturday, June 15.
Both Sechrist’s and Lamkin’s last starts sent their respective teams to the championship series.
Justin Lamkin vs Zander Sechrist
| 3-2 | Record | 5-1 |
| 63 | IP | 72.2 |
| 5.00 | ERA | 3.22 |
| 1.254 | WHIP | 1.177 |
| 12.29 | K/9 | 8.60 |
| 4.30-to-1 | K-to-BB Ratio | 4.60-to-1 |
Neither Lamkin nor Sechrist has faced the other team this season. Prior to the CWS, the Aggies and Vols only met once this year, with UT eliminating A&M in the third round of the SEC Tournament (7-4).
The Aggies used five pitchers on Sunday, including 4.1 innings from top reliever Chris Cortez, who threw 99 pitches without surrendering a run.
The Vols’ bullpen will be in a similar position in Game 3: UT used four pitchers, including 4.0 innings of shutout ball from Aaron Combs, their best middle-inning arm.
Texas A&M vs Tennessee Prediction & Picks
Lamkin possesses better strikeout stuff than his Tennessee counterpart but Sechrist has been a more effective pitcher overall this year, and there is no question which lineup is more potent. The Vols are averaging 2.56 home runs per game this season (versus 2.05 for the Aggies) and Tennessee’s comeback on Sunday was propelled by longballs.
Yet, at +170, the Aggies are offering better value. Their implied win probability is just 37.04%, while UT’s -220 price tag carries a 68.75% implied win probability.
If Lamkin continues to pitch the way he has in his first eight-plus innings in Omaha, the Aggies are going to – at the very least – keep Game 3 close.
Texas A&M vs Tennessee Game 3 pick: Texas A&M +1.5 (-100)
Sascha was a hockey player in his youth, a lawyer in his capricious mid-20s, and has been with SBD since 2014. He specializes in football, basketball, politics, baseball, and hockey.
The Texas A&M Aggies will face off against the Tennessee Volunteers in Game 3 of their series on June 24th. Both teams have had successful seasons so far, with the Aggies boasting a 40-17 record and the Volunteers sitting at 45-16. This matchup is sure to be a thrilling one, with both teams vying for a spot in the College World Series.
The odds for this game are currently in favor of the Volunteers, who are ranked higher in the national polls and have been playing strong baseball all season. However, the Aggies are not to be underestimated, as they have shown that they can compete with some of the best teams in the country.
In terms of starting pitchers, the Aggies will likely send out their ace, Asa Lacy, who has been dominant on the mound all season. Lacy has a 7-4 record with a 2.13 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 92 innings pitched. He will be a tough matchup for the Volunteers’ lineup.
On the other side, the Volunteers will likely counter with their own top pitcher, Garrett Crochet. Crochet has a 6-3 record with a 4.66 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 63.2 innings pitched. He will need to bring his best stuff against a potent Aggies lineup.
In terms of predictions, this game is shaping up to be a close one. Both teams have strong pitching staffs and potent offenses, so it could come down to which team executes better on the day. The Volunteers may have a slight edge, but the Aggies have shown that they can compete with anyone.
Overall, fans can expect an exciting and competitive matchup between two top college baseball programs. It will be interesting to see how the game unfolds and which team comes out on top. Be sure to tune in on June 24th to catch all the action.
