PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL — There’s a possibility Real Madrid will begin the FIFA Club World Cup without its biggest star.

French World Cup champion Kylian Mbappé — undoubtedly the biggest name in the Club World Cup field outside of Lionel Messi — did not practice with his teammates Tuesday because of a fever.

The club will decide Wednesday morning whether he will play against Saudi Arabian standouts Al Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.

“We’ll see how he evolves. We’re going to be waiting for him until the last minute. We’ll make a decision to him [Wednesday] morning,” new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said.

It might not be the ideal start to Alonso’s tenure, but the former Real Madrid standout hopes his players can find the desire to play and fight for their jersey just like he did.

Real Madrid begins the Club World Cup in transition. The club saw rival Barcelona win the Spanish treble — La Liga, the Spanish Supercopa and the Copa del Rey — last season. Real Madrid was also ousted by English side Arsenal in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, failing to defend their title won last year.

The Club World Cup offers Real Madrid — the most popular soccer team in the world and favorites to win the new FIFA tournament — a chance to secure some hardware amid a trying year.

But the incorporation of Alonso, his new assistant coaches and several new players before the departure of others will be a challenge.

“We have to prove it. We’re here with that intention. We’re not stuck on July 13,” Alonso said when asked about Real Madrid’s being the favorites to win the Club World Cup final. “We know we have to take the necessary steps. We know this is a great starting point, and things will evolve.”

If Mbappe is unable to play against Al Hilal, Real Madrid will rely on a slew of other stars such as Brazilian standouts Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, English star Jude Bellingham, and Croatian 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modrić. But even they have new roles to play in the next phase of the club.

Vini Jr. told Real Madrid’s team website: “We’re eager to win this first World Cup because people never forget the first one, and it’s the only title Madrid doesn’t have. We’re going for it.”

Vini Jr. has scored 21 goals in 52 matches for Real Madrid in the last year, but has been criticized for subpar performances.

“I didn’t know Vincius. I saw a lot of him. And everything I saw and heard — within 10 seconds, I recognized it all,” Alonso said of the Brazilian star. “His personality, the way he communicates with people. He’s a very passionate, and very emotional player. And we need to support him. I love these type of players.”

Bellingham went from scoring 23 goals in 2023-24 to just 14 goals in the last year, as his positioning in Real Madrid’s midfield has been under question.

“He’s a very dynamic player … He needs to be in the right positions because that will help him, and it will help us, because his skills are unbelievable,” Alonso said of Bellingham.

Rodrygo, 23, is a talented winger but prefers to play on the left side occupied by Vini Jr. He also fell out of favor last season under previous coach Carlo Ancelotti despite personal issues.

“I know that the last few matches were not easy for him,” Alonso said of Rodygo. “He’s very eager to play, to contribute on the pitch, and mainly, to enjoy with his talent everything he can give. We spoke about this and now we need to put it into practice.”

Modric — the only player not named Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win Ballon d’Or from 2008-21 — will be depart Real Madrid after a 13-year stint following the Club World Cup.

“We really want to enjoy the next 3-4 weeks we’re going to be here,” Alonso said of his former teammate Modric. “He’s a long-standing legend, and his legacy will remain in the history of Real Madrid. And we want to just make the most of it.”

Real Madrid newcomers center back Dean Huijsen (Spain) and right back Trent Alexander-Arnold (England) practiced Tuesday, and expected to make their club debuts Wednesday.

“They are top, top players, and they have an instant impact,” the new coach said.

Alonso is striving to renew Real Madrid’s commitment with hopes to find the ideal balance between defense and attacking so the club can raise trophies again.

Their first test is also against a club in transition: Al Hilal hired Simone Inzaghi after he led Inter Milan to the Champions League final where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain.

Al Hilal has won the most Saudi Pro League titles with 19, but finished second last season.

Brazilian standout Malcom and longtime captain Salem Al-Dawsari are their best players, while Serbian Aleksandar Mitrović is also well-known. Neymar left the club earlier this year after injuries limited him to seven matches in 17 months.

Real Madrid will also face CF Pachuca (Mexico) on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, and FC Salzburg (Austria) on June 26 in Philadelphia in Group H of the Club World Cup.

They’ll be a work in progress during this tournament. But the expectation is always clear.

“Real Madrid wants to win everything – so we want to win this, too,” Huijsen said.

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But there are still some talented players left on the open market, including two-time second-team All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander.

Alexander and the Green Bay Packers parted ways this offseason after failing to find a suitable trade partner or contract restructuring for the 28-year-old cornerback.

One of his former college teammates is already pushing for their team to bring him in.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback and fellow Louisville Cardinals alum Lamar Jackson made his pitch before accepting the Pro Football Writers of America MVP award at minicamp on June 17.

‘Go get him, Eric,’ Jackson said, referring to Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta. ‘I love all of our corners, don’t get me wrong. But go get him Eric.’

The two played together for three years at Louisville. Alexander was a second-team all-conference cornerback in 2016 when Jackson won the Heisman Trophy.

They both declared early to enter for the 2018 NFL Draft. Alexander went 18th overall to the Packers before Jackson went 32nd to the Ravens.

In one of the best moments from Round 1 of the draft that year, Alexander stopped mid-interview to celebrate the Ravens drafting Jackson.

As one of the top contenders in the AFC, Baltimore could always use depth in the secondary. They’ve built a reputation for signing veteran cornerbacks in recent seasons, too, with Tre’Davious White in 2024 and Ronald Darby in 2023.

Alexander would be a younger player than either White or Darby were at their time of signing. Availability is a concern, though, as he played just 14 of 34 possible games over the last two seasons following his most recent Pro Bowl season in 2022.

Can the Ravens sign Jaire Alexander?

Baltimore is entering its second season under defensive coordinator Zach Orr and the team invested in cornerback in both free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft. Chidobe Awuzie signed a one-year deal, and Baltimore drafted Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam in the sixth round.

Awuzie is slated to start outside opposite 2024 first-round pick Nate Wiggins with Marlon Humphrey in the slot.

Baltimore currently has $18.94 million in cap space in 2025, per OverTheCap, which is more than enough to sign Alexander to a short-term veteran contract.

Ravens CB depth chart

Alexander would be joining a crowded cornerback room in Baltimore. Here’s all of the players the Ravens have signed at the position on their active roster:

Nate Wiggins
Chidobe Awuzie
Marlon Humphrey
T.J. Tampa
Bilhal Kone
Robert Longerbeam
Jalyn Armour-Davis
Marquise Robinson
Reuben Lowery
Keyon Martin

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LOS ANGELES — One of the biggest knocks Los Angeles Dodgers fans get is how relatively empty Dodger Stadium looks at first pitch. It makes sense, as dealing with rush hour traffic in L.A. just to get up Chavez Ravine is not for the faint of heart. 

But on the evening of Monday, June 16, not even bumper-to-bumper traffic was going to stop the majority of the crowd from being in their seats at 7:10 p.m. local time. It was an occasion they’d been waiting on for more than 18 months:

Before the national anthem was played, the stadium was filled and the crowd was roaring as Ohtani emerged from the dugout and walked to the bullpen to warm-up for his first start of the season. As he got loose, crowds flooded the left field area just to get a peak of what they’d been eagerly anticipating. From the section that shares a wall with the pen to the top of the reserve level, fans hugged the railing like they’re trying to get a high five from a WWE star.

All the focus was on how Ohtani would do on the mound. By the end of night, it was the bat that reminded everyone what makes him a unicorn of a baseball player, and the possibilities in 2025.

After one inning of work on the mound, Ohtani had two hits and two RBIs as the Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres, 6-3, in what was a major step in the three-time MVP’s full-time return to being a two-way star.

‘Not quite happy with the results overall,’ Ohtani said through translator Will Ireton. ‘But I think the biggest takeaway for me is that I feel good enough to be able to make the next outing.’

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In a span of less than 24 hours, the matchup went from the series opener between division rivals and World Series contenders to all attention on Ohtani as a major league pitcher. It was his first time pitching since August 2023 – when he wore a Los Angeles Angels uniform – and first time since his second Tommy John surgery.

It was a soft introduction back to the mound for the right-hander. But it was a bumpy road.

Ohtani’s first pitch was a 97 mph sinker Fernando Tatis Jr. fouled off. But he gave up a bloop single to the leadoff hitter and Luis Arraez hit a rocket in the gap to put runners on the corners with no outs, with the chance to massively spoil Ohtani’s night.

On the following at-bat, Manny Machado swung out of the zone on a sweeper, resulting in a sacrifice fly to score a run for San Diego. Then two consecutive groundouts got Ohtani out of the inning and limited the damage.

He threw 28 pitches – 16 for strikes – and despite a 9.00 ERA, it was a positive outing for the team.

‘I thought it was great,’ said manager Dave Roberts. ‘Obviously gave up a run, but I thought the stuff was really good.’

It’s now the norm for it to be a playoff atmosphere when the Padres and Dodgers meet, but you’d think a trip to the World Series was on the line with the intensity and electricity in the air in the first inning. And Ohtani certainly felt it.

In his rehab work, Ohtani was throwing around the 95-96 mph range. In his first game, his fastball averaged 99.1 mph, and he reached 100 mph. The sinker hovered around 97 mph with 18 of his pitches at least 95 mph, and 14 above 98 mph.

‘I was aiming to sit 95-96 (mph), but the game intensity really allowed me to throw a little harder,’ Ohtani said.

Roberts didn’t expect to see triple digits on the radar gun, but he understood the adrenaline allowed Ohtani to turn it up a notch. Still, Roberts hopes he can turn it down a bit so he doesn’t overexert himself and undo all the progress.

Everyone in the dugout marveled at Ohtani coming off from throwing 28 pitches and going straight to putting on his batting gear, not even stopping for a drink of water. Third baseman Max Muncy admitted it hit differently to see it happen because ‘that’s really hard to do.’

Ohtani struck out in his first at-bat, but he delivered in the batter’s box not long after. He hit an RBI double in the bottom of the third through the left-center field gap to get back the run he gave up, and one inning later, his RBI single extended the lead for Los Angeles.

He finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a walk and two strikeouts, and Roberts felt good about it, indicating he could still produce at the plate on start days. Granted it was after he pitched one inning and hyped on adrenaline, but it ‘didn’t certainly affect the offensive performance,’ Roberts said. 

Shohei Ohtani’s pitching plan

Now with his first outing complete, Ohtani and Roberts both said the current plan is for him to pitch once a week. It’s expected he will continue to start games every six to eight days, Roberts added, and the workload could go up. The Dodgers skipper wasn’t going to let him throw more than 30 pitches in his debut, but he could go two innings his next time out, likely against the Washington Nationals on June 22. 

Still, no plan is set in stone. General manager Brandon Gomes said prior the contest that conversations are happening every day to feel out what is the next step. Ohtani noted since his velocity was higher than normal, he’ll have to see how he feels when he wakes up before nailing down his next start.

‘I want to see first where my body feels and how it reacts,’ he said. ‘But the expectation is for me to go once a week, hopefully to be able to go a little longer every time I’m out there.’

It was only a glimpse, but it was enough for the Dodgers to feel good about where Ohtani is progressing, considering how his debut came together so quickly. Roberts admitted he was ‘fanboying’ seeing it finally happen. 

With more encouraging nights like this, Ohtani could be headed back to being dominant at the plate and on the mound, a recipe the organization anticipates can lead to another title.

‘Overall, just a really positive day for us,’ Roberts said. ‘We’re just kind of excited that we finally got that first one under our belt.’

(This story was updated to change a video.)

By the end of the night Tuesday, a 2025 College World Series field that started with eight teams will be down to four.

No. 3 Arkansas, the highest-ranked team at the CWS, will square off against No. 15 UCLA in an elimination game on June 17 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska.

While the loser will have to head home, the winner will advance to take on No. 6 LSU on June 18 at 7 p.m. ET. The Razorbacks or Bruins, both of whom have already lost to LSU, would need to beat the Tigers twice to move on to the CWS championship series.

Watch Arkansas vs. UCLA baseball live with Fubo (free trial)

The matchup with Arkansas will be UCLA’s second game of the day after the Bruins played the final five innings of their 9-5 loss to LSU on Tuesday following a weather delay on Monday night that pushed the remainder of the game back a day.

USA TODAY Sports is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along.

Arkansas vs UCLA baseball live score

This section will be updated throughout the game.

Arkansas vs UCLA baseball live updates

This section will be updated closer to first pitch.

What time does Arkansas vs UCLA baseball start?

Date: Tuesday, June 17
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Charles Schwab Field Omaha (Omaha, Neb.)

Arkansas and UCLA are scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET first pitch on Tuesday, June 17 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha in their College World Series elimination game.

What TV channel is Arkansas vs UCLA baseball on today?

TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)

The CWS elimination game between Arkansas and UCLA will air on ESPN. Karl Ravech (play-by-play), Kyle Peterson (analyst), Eduardo Pérez (analyst) and Kris Budden (sideline reporter) will be on the call.

Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a TV login), ESPN+ — ESPN’s subscription streaming service — and Fubo, the last of which carries ESPN and offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Arkansas vs UCLA baseball predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, June 17

Spread: Arkansas -2.5
Over/under: 10.5 runs
Moneyline: Arkansas (-400) | UCLA (+280)

Prediction: Arkansas 6, UCLA 3

It’s highly unlikely Zach Root will match Gage Wood’s historical feat from yesterday, but the Razorbacks’ ace should have enough in his arsenal to keep a talented UCLA lineup at bay.

College World Series schedule

The College World Series began on June 13 and will run through June 22 or 23, depending on whether the best-of-three championship series requires two or three games. Here’s a look at the latest college baseball schedule and NCAA Tournament bracket update.

College World Series: June 13-22/23
CWS finals: June 21-22/23

The Tigers moved to 2-0 in the 2025 College World Series with a 9-5 victory over UCLA in the winner’s bracket on June 17. The game originally started on June 16 but was suspended until June 17 due to inclement weather at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska.

The Bruins will play No. 3 Arkansas in an elimination game scheduled for 7 p.m. on June 17. The winner will play LSU in the semifinals. The Tigers will need just one more win to advance to the championship series, while either the Bruins or Razorbacks would need two wins over LSU.

LSU held a 5-3 lead heading into play on June 17 and turned to freshman right-hander Casan Evans to give the team length. Evans fired 4 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits. Chase Shores closed out the game for the final four outs to pick up the save.

Jared Jones hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning before the delay. He added an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning as an insurance run and finished the game 4-for-4. Jake Brown had two RBIs for LSU, while Ethan Frey scored four times.

Catch up with USA TODAY with updates, scores and highlights from LSU’s CWS winner’s bracket win over UCLA:

Stream LSU vs. UCLA baseball live with Fubo (free trial)

LSU vs UCLA baseball live score

This section will be updated throughout the game.

LSU vs UCLA baseball live updates

Final: LSU 9, UCLA 5

LSU closes out 9-5 win over UCLA after lengthy delay, suspension

LSU picks up a 9-5 win over UCLA in the winner’s bracket of the CWS on Tuesday. The game was delayed by rain and suspended on Monday night, but resumed on Tuesday. The Tigers built on a 5-3 lead on Monday to hold on for the win.

The Bruins will play Arkansas in an elimination game tonight, while LSU will await the winner of that game in the semifinals on Wednesday.

End of eighth inning: LSU 9, UCLA 5

Jared Jones pushes LSU lead to 9-5 with RBI single

Easton Hawk leaves a fastball down the middle and Jaret Jones delivers an RBI single to make it 9-5 in the bottom of the eighth inning. Jones had a three-run home run yesterday in the first inning of this game.

Luis Hernandez is hit by a pitch. The bases are loaded with two outs for Michael Braswell III.

Easton Hawk replaces August Souza on mound for UCLA

August Souza opens the bottom of the eighth inning for UCLA, but is replaced after recording an out and giving up a walk. Bruins’ closer Easton Hawk enters to face Steven Milam with one out.

Chase Shores escapes bases loaded jam

Phoenix Call swings at the first pitch he sees from Chase Shores and grounds into a fielder’s choice to shortstop to end the threat. The Bruins strand the bases loaded with a chance to tie or take the lead.

Chase Shores called on with bases loaded

LSU coach Jay Johnson is out for another pitching change. He’ll call on Chase Shores to take over for Cooper Williams on the mound. Williams walked Cashel Dugger to load the bases with two outs.

Shores will face right-handed hitter Phoenix Call. The top of the Bruins’ order is due up after Call.

Blake Balsz infield single scores another UCLA run

Blake Balsz beats the shift and then beats out an infield single to score the second run of the inning for the Bruins. LSU’s lead is 8-5. UCLA still has two runners on with two outs, meaning Cashel Dugger represents the tying run at the plate.

UCLA adds run on fielder’s choice

With the bases loaded, Payton Brennan grounds into a fielder’s choice for the second out of the inning, but the play scores Mulivai Levu to make it 8-4 LSU in the eighth inning.

The Bruins still have runners on the corners and two outs.

Cooper Williams relieves Casan Evans in eighth inning

With one out and runners on first and second, LSU coach Jay Johnson is calling on lefty reliever Cooper Williams to come on for Case Evans. AJ Salgado is the first of four straight lefties coming up for the Bruins.

End of seventh inning: LSU 8, UCLA 3

Daniel Dickerson pushes LSU lead to 5 runs

Daniel Dickerson gets a bloop single to right field to plate Jaret Jones for another LSU run. The Tigers hold an 8-3 lead through seven innings.

End of sixth inning: LSU 7, UCLA 3

Ian May comes on to face Steven Milam

UCLA coach John Savage makes another pitching change as he’ll go with lefty reliever Ian May to face Steven Milam in the bottom of the sixth inning. LSU has runners on first and second with one out and leads 7-3.

End of fourth inning: LSU 7, UCLA 3

Cal Randall relieves Wylan Moss

Wylan Moss records the first two outs of the inning with ease, but allows a single, walk and back-to-back RBI singles to extend the LSU lead to 7-3. Cal Randall is called on in relief of Moss to try and stop the bleeding.

Jake Brown drives in seventh run for LSU

Jake Brown took an 0-1 changeup to right field for another RBI single and it’s 7-3 LSU in the bottom of the fourth inning. Four straight hitters have reached with two outs.

Steven Milam drives in another LSU run

Steven Milam drives in Derek Curiel for an RBI single to make it 6-3 LSU in the bottom of the fourth inning. Curiel reached on a two-out single to get the rally started for the Tigers.

Wylan Moss on mound for UCLA

Wylan Moss is on the mound for UCLA following the delay. Moss has a 2-1 record, two saves and a 2.62 ERA this season.

Casan Evans strikes out pair as LSU-UCLA resumes

Casan Evans strikes out two hitters in the top of the fourth inning as the CWS winner’s bracket game between LSU and UCLA resumes. Evans strikes out Blake Balsz swinging on a fastball and gets Phoenix Call swinging on an offspeed pitch.

Casan Evans takes the mound for LSU after weather delay

Freshman pitcher Casan Evans is on the mound for LSU following the weather delay. Evans has a 4-1 record with seven saves and a 1.86 ERA.

LSU-UCLA College World Series game rewind

The first inning of the LSU-UCLA game that started on June 16 had plenty of action and runs. The Bruins took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. However, the Tigers struck back with four runs in the bottom of the inning, capped off by a three-run home run by Jared Jones.

LSU added a run in the third inning on an RBI single from Luis Hernandez. The game never resumed in the fourth inning, as it entered a weather delay.

LSU-UCLA College World Series game to resume on ESPN2

The CWS winner’s bracket game between LSU and UCLA will resume in the top of the fourth inning. Coverage will shift over to ESPN2 for the game as it restarts. The Tigers hold a 5-3 lead over UCLA; the Bruins will be batting next.

Forecast for Tuesday’s LSU-UCLA College World Series game

LSU-UCLA are scheduled to resume play at 11:03 a.m. (10:03 a.m. local time) Tuesday morning for the winner’s bracket game of the CWS. Inclement weather in Omaha caused a delay for last night’s game, which was eventually rescheduled for June 17.

While the forecast looks good for the Tigers-Bruins game to finish up, more weather could be on the way, impacting later games. According to the Weather Channel, there is a ‘marginal risk of severe weather.’

‘Partly cloudy skies this morning. Thunderstorms likely during the afternoon. High 83F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.’

‘Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 66F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.‘

LSU-UCLA College World Series game postponed to Tuesday

About three hours after the LSU-UCLA game entered a weather delay, the matchup has officially been pushed back a day, with rain and thunderstorms continuing throughout the Omaha area.

The NCAA announced that the game will resume at 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 17. It isn’t scheduled to impact the start time of the other two CWS games, with Oregon State-Louisville still set for a 2 p.m. ET first pitch and Arkansas against the loser of the LSU-UCLA game beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

Weather delay continues at College World Series

The game between LSU and UCLA at the College World Series has been delayed for close to an hour and the inclement weather that caused it doesn’t appear to be letting up any time soon.

LSU, UCLA in weather delay

Due to what was described as ‘severe weather in the area,’ LSU’s game against UCLA in the College World Series has been delayed.

Luis Hernandez adds to LSU lead with RBI single

With a single swing of the bat, LSU doubles its lead. Luis Hernandez singles up the middle with runners on first and second and two outs, sending home teammate Ethan Frey from second base.

Tigers with a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the third.

UCLA makes pitching change

After walking the first two batters in the bottom of the third inning, UCLA pulls starter Landon Stump, replacing him with left-hander Chris Grothues. Stump leaves the game with four hits, two walks, no strikeouts and, for now, four earned runs.

Three up, three down for UCLA

The Bruins fail to get a runner on in the top of the third inning, with UCLA going down in order.

LSU retired in order

LSU follows up its 4-run first inning with three up and three down in the second inning, including a pair of groundouts.

UCLA leaves runner on second

After getting three runs in a chaotic first inning, UCLA comes up scoreless its second time up to the plate. With a runner on second base and two outs, All-American shortstop Roch Cholowsky strikes out swinging on a nasty pitch from Anthony Eyanson.

LSU has one-run lead after first inning

After Gage Wood’s no-hit masterpiece for Arkansas against Murray State, we’ve got some offense in Omaha. LSU takes a 4-3 lead into the second inning, making it the highest-scoring first inning of the 2025 NCAA tournament.

Jared Jones homer puts LSU ahead

It turns out that Jake Brown’s RBI single was only the start of an offensive onslaught for LSU.

During the following at-bat, and with runners still on first and third, Jared Jones hits a shot to right field that just barely clears the wall, with AJ Salgado just missing out on what would have been a run-saving grab.

With Jones’ dinger, LSU takes a 4-3 lead.

LSU gets on the board in first inning

Staring at an early 3-run deficit, LSU’s lineup is getting to work. With runners on first and third with one out, Jake Brown cashes in, slipping a single into right center field to cut UCLA’s lead to 3-1.

UCLA gets off to hot start, puts three on board

The Bruins couldn’t have asked for a better start.

With runners on first and second, Roman Martin rips a double down the left-field line, bringing home a run. In the next at-bat, AJ Salgado gets an infield single to bring home another run. Immediately after that, a soft grounder down the first-base line from Payton Brennan brings Martin home from third to stretch the lead to 3-0 heading into the bottom of the first inning.

LSU baseball starting lineup

Here’s a look at the lineup LSU will roll out Monday against UCLA in the College World Series:

UCLA baseball starting lineup

Here’s who the Bruins will be putting out on the field as they seek to extend their unbeaten NCAA tournament run:

LSU baseball starting pitcher

The Tigers will be turning to pitcher Anthony Eyanson as they aim to take another step closer to a national championship. Eyanson, a junior right-hander, is 11-2 this season with a 2.74 ERA, 142 strikeouts and just 35 walks.

UCLA baseball starting pitcher

UCLA will hand the ball to sophomore right-hander Landon Stump, who is 6-1 this season with a 4.54 ERA, 62 strikeouts and 37 walks.

What time does LSU vs UCLA baseball start?

Date: Monday, June 16
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Charles Schwab Field (Omaha, Nebraska)

The first pitch between the Tigers and Bruins is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Monday, June 16 from Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.

What TV channel is LSU vs UCLA baseball on today?

TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)

LSU and UCLA baseball’s game in the College World Series will air on ESPN. Karl Ravech (play-by-play), Eduardo Pérez (analyst) and Kyle Peterson (analyst) will be on the call while Kris Budden will serve as the sideline reporter.

Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app, which requires a valid cable login to access, and ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service. Another option is Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial.

LSU vs UCLA baseball predictions, picks, odds

This section will be updated when odds become available.

Prediction from the Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU 9, UCLA 2

Of the matchup, LSU beat reporter Cory Diaz writes:

After a near-silent performance in their CWS opener, the LSU bats wake up against the Bruins. Ethan Frey, Jake Brown and Luis Hernandez all turn in run-producing at-bats and provide plenty of run support for the LSU pitching staff. LSU scores early and often and UCLA can’t keep up.

College World Series schedule

The College World Series, the final step of the postseason, began on June 13. It will run through June 22 or 23, depending on whether the best-of-three championship series requires two or three games.

Here is a more detailed look at the latest college baseball schedule and NCAA Tournament bracket update.

Double elimination: June 13-18/19
CWS championship series: June 21-22/23

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World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she has apologized to Coco Gauff after dismissing the American’s first French Open triumph, adding that she regrets the comments she made about the 21-year-old after the final.

Sabalenka had been poised for victory after claiming the opening set in a tiebreak, only to watch Gauff orchestrate a stunning 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4 comeback to claim her second Grand Slam title.

Sabalenka made 70 unforced errors in the final and later said at a press conference that Gauff won ‘not because she played incredible, (but) because I made all of those mistakes’ – comments she has since regretted making.

‘It was just totally unprofessional of me, I let my emotions get the better of me. I absolutely regret what I said back then,’ Sabalenka told Eurosport.

‘We all make mistakes. I’m only human and I’m still learning in life. We all have those days when we lose control.

‘The difference with me is that the world watches me do it, I get a lot more hate afterwards for what I did than other people.’

Sabalenka said she had reached out to Gauff personally afterwards to apologise.

‘I wanted to apologise and make sure that she knows that she absolutely deserved to win the tournament and that I respect her. I never intended to attack her,’ Sabalenka added.

‘I was super emotional and not very smart at that press conference. I’m not necessarily grateful for what I did.

‘It took me a while to look at it again, to go into it with my eyes open and to understand. I realized a lot about myself.’

Having lost two Grand Slam finals this year, Sabalenka will now turn her attention to the grass court swing, warming up for Wimbledon by playing at the Berlin Open this week.