LSU vs Florida Odds
| LSU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| -111 | 10.5 +102 / -136 | +1.5 -182 |
| Florida Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| -115 | 10.5 +102 / -136 | -1.5 +138 |
Game 1 of the 2023 College World Series championship series was everything we could have hoped for.
We saw a legendary pitching performance by LSU's Ty Floyd, several big flies and drama in extra innings. It all leads us to Sunday afternoon, as the Tigers have a chance to win their first national championship since 2009.
However, Florida won't go down without a fight, and it could respond with a big performance of its own. Let's dive into this matchup and uncover the best way to bet it.
LSU Tigers
The Tigers' bats came through when needed last night and found a way to give themselves a big 1-0 lead in this series. While they bashed their way to victory off the strength of three homers, they should've put up plenty more runs.
LSU put Brandon Sproat on the ropes many times Saturday but failed to blow the game open. It left 17 runners on base, and it's very fortunate those missed opportunities didn't come back to bite it.
However, the Tigers likely won't have as many of those scoring opportunities tonight as the Gators hand the ball to Hurston Waldrep. Waldrep is the best pitcher on a talented Florida staff, and he's shown it in the postseason. In three postseason starts spanning over 21 innings, he owns a 0.86 ERA and has struck out 37 batters.
While the LSU lineup has been seeing the ball well of late, you can bet Waldrep will do everything he can to help keep his team alive and force a Game 3 on Monday.
Florida Gators
The Gators have seemingly stepped in front of a runaway train that is the LSU pitching staff. What the Tigers have done is impressive, as they came into the postseason with a team ERA of 5.76, which includes the work of Paul Skenes.
However, the Tigers own a team ERA of 1.74 in Omaha, and the bullpen has allowed just two earned runs in 21 innings pitched. This game will likely come down to the pen for LSU, as it's likely to mix and match its way through this game.
Looking at the Gators, they need to have a short memory after getting dominated by Floyd, who posted 17 strikeouts over eight innings before the bullpen added three more. Florida was overmatched by Floyd's fastball, but it likely won't see many high-velocity pitches tonight.
Expect the Gators to come out swinging and attack the fastballs they missed last night. This LSU pen is bound to regress at some point, and Florida is a team that can do significant damage if that happens today.
LSU vs Florida Betting Pick
Florida had a massive pitching edge coming into this series. While Floyd and the Tigers' pen proved everyone wrong last night, the Gators are in a great spot to punch back.
Waldrep has been on an absolute tear in the postseason, and he should be able to contain the potent Tigers lineup.
On the other side, expect the Florida lineup to come out motivated and ready to attack after a poor showing yesterday. LSU's pen has been magical, but it's bound to slip up. The Gators should be prepared to make them pay.
Back Florida to even up the series.
Pick: Florida ML -115 |
