Today’s College World Series semi-finals matchup between the Vanderbilt Commodores and NC State Wolfpack has been postponed and sportsbooks have paused action.
The game, which was scheduled for 2 p.m. ET, was delayed due to “health and safety protocols”, according to the NCAA.
NC State baseball players test positive for COVID-19
Multiple members of the NC State Wolfpack have now tested positive for COVID-19, putting the game on hold for over an hour and limiting their available roster to less than 15 players.
NC State took to the field at 3:07 p.m. without some of its best performers. This gave Vanderbilt an obvious leg up, increasing the team’s odds of advancing to the CWS Finals.
Since 2012, Vandy has only won one out of four matchups against the Wolfpack. Now, only one game stands between the Commodores and the final CWS matchup.
Action paused due to game delay
Amidst the shakeup, BetMGM Tennessee, DraftKings TN, FanDuel Sportsbook and TwinSpires initially all pulled lines for today’s game. Lines went live again as soon as the game started, with Vanderbilt listed as a 1.5-point favorite over the Wolfpack.
Sportsbooks have yet to renew futures odds for the CWS. But with NC State’s roster dwindling so drastically, odds of Vandy winning this game along with the entire CWS should likewise increase.
Earlier this week, NC State led the charge with +200 odds of winning the CWS, while Vanderbilt’s odds were +450.
A win from Vanderbilt here would secure the team a well-earned spot in the 2021 College World Series Finals. After that, a faceoff between either Texas or Mississippi State will be the only thing standing in the way of the crown.
