Virginia vs Florida Odds
| Virginia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
+120 | 10.5 +105 / -136 | +1.5 -143 |
| Florida Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| -159 | 10.5 +105 / -136 | -1.5 +108 |
There were two different stories for these two teams as acting Super Regional hosts.
Florida took two from South Carolina, asking only Brandon Neely and Cade Fisher to throw just 59 pitches from the bullpen. Starter Hurston Waldrep threw his only shutout of the season to close the book on the Gamecocks' year.
Waldrep and Brandon Sproat have alternated starting the SEC Tournament and Regional, as both seniors are interchangeable as staff aces.
Hurston Waldrep's 12th and 13th Ks. pic.twitter.com/7fx0bD3onU
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 10, 2023
Shortstop Josh Rivera also homered each game to throw cold water on a steaming hot Gamecocks roster.
While the Gators rely on pure power to generate offense, the Virginia sticks needed a game to show off a top-10 ranking in on-base percentage. The Cavaliers took an opening-game loss against a stingy Duke team before scoring 26 runs in two consecutive wins.
The bullpen usage consisted of just two innings from Jack O’Connor in the victories, as Brian Edgington and Connelly Early were excellent as starters after the loss.
If there's a team that can survive a losers' bracket journey, it's Virginia, which has enough starting arms to go consecutive days.
The Gators are thankful to have multiple options for pitching, as Jac Caglianone not only leads the team in home runs but has started 16 games on the season.
It doesn't matter if Caglianone, Sproat or Waldrep gets the nod in the opener; Florida still projects as an underdog to Virginia.
The Cavaliers average more than a run per game, while their bullpen owns an ERA and FIP nearly a run lower. Fifth-year senior and Coastal Carolina transfer Nick Parker is expected to start the opener after allowing just five earned runs in his three previous starts spanning 20.2 innings.
With supreme options from a closer and stopper perspective, look for the Cavaliers to advance.
