LSU baseball begins its 2026 campaign on Friday as the Tigers look to make another College World Series run. LSU has won two of the last three national titles, cementing its place as the top program in the sport under head coach Jay Johnson.
Johnson has built a talent machine at LSU. He’s a relentless recruiter, at the high school level and in the transfer portal.
It’s been a good three years for LSU fans. In 2023, Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews tore it up before going No. 1 and No. 2 in the MLB Draft.
Last year, LSU was led by elite pitching again. Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson formed the best one-two rotation punch in the country. At the plate, true freshman Derek Curiel was the spark at the top of the lineup.
Expectations are once again high for LSU. The Tigers are a consensus top-three team with Curiel and pitcher Casan Evans returning, complemented by a strong transfer portal class. It’s hard to repeat — LSU learned that in 2024 — when the Tigers didn’t even make it back to Omaha after winning the 2023 title.
Johnson feels this team is in a better position to defend a title than the 2024 team was. The Tigers have depth and experience. We’ll see if its enough to contend at the top of the SEC. Here’s a prediction for how LSU baseball’s 2026 season will pan out.
Can LSU baseball make it back to the College World Series?
LSU has the tools to make it back to Omaha. Evans is expected to be one of the top aces in the SEC, and the lineup has enough talent that it’s a safe bet to say Johnson will find something that works. It’s hard to see a scenario where LSU isn’t hosting a regional when the NCAA Tournament begins.
Now, can LSU secure another top-eight seed and win the right to host a Super Regional? If the road to Omaha goes through Baton Rouge, LSU’s path to the CWS is clear.
LSU’s schedule provides plenty of chances to earn the necessary resume for that national seed, while also providing the Tigers with some breaks. LSU doesn’t play Texas, Arkansas, or Auburn in the regular season. The Tigers will be decent favorites in most of their SEC series.
I think that puts LSU on the path to a Super Regional in Baton Rouge, and a Super Regional in Baton Rouge means a trip to Omaha.
I think LSU will be one of the last four teams standing in Arkansas and ultimately fall just short of a repeat. Does LSU have the talent to do it? Yes. But a handful of teams return star hitters, and I think LSU’s lineup will be a tick below where it needs to be to win a College World Series. If LSU gets there, anything can happen, though.
Prediction: LSU makes it to Omaha, but falls just short of a repeat College World Series title.
LSU Baseball Schedule — February
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU baseball 2026 season prediction: College World Series hopes
