The UC Irvine Anteaters take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers to open the college baseball season on Friday, Feb. 14. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET on MLB.com.
Both teams hope to make a run to the NCAA Tournament, but it all starts today. A solid showing in the MLB Desert Invitational would certainly put them on the right path.
Let's dive into our UC Irvine vs. Nebraska prediction and college baseball picks for Friday, Feb. 14.
UC Irvine vs Nebraska Prediction
- UC Irvine vs. Nebraska Pick: Nebraska ML +100
My Nebraska vs. UC Irvine best bet is on the Cornhuskers to win outright, with the best line currently available at DraftKings.
UC Irvine vs Nebraska Odds
| UC Irvine Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +130 | 10.5 -115o / -115u | -120 |
| Nebraska Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -166 | 10.5 -115o / -115u | -110 |
- UC Irvine vs Nebraska Moneyline: UC Irvine -120 · Nebraska -110
- UC Irvine vs Nebraska Over/Under: 10.5 Runs
- UC Irvine vs Nebraska Run Line: UC Irvine -1.5 (+130) · Nebraska +1.5 (-166)
UC Irvine vs Nebraska College Baseball Betting Preview
The Nebraska Cornhuskers open the season as underdogs to the No. 24 UC Irvine Anteaters in the first game of the MLB Desert Invitational.
The Anteaters are a solid squad with a ton of talent, headlined by first baseman Anthony Martinez, who's been named to the preseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List. However, Martinez is expected to miss the opening weekend with a hamstring issue.
UC Irvine also begins the year with a true question mark on the mound, as Danny Suarez prepares to take the ball. Suarez has made only 16 appearances in his three collegiate seasons, and he's dealt with multiple injuries.
He has to contend with an experienced Nebraska lineup that boasts two of the nation's top 100 outfielders, according to D1Baseball. This veteran lineup put up 6.8 runs per game last season and is sure to test Suarez early.
The Cornhuskers have the edge on the mound as well with Mason McConnaughey taking the bump. McConnaughey was excellent as a freshman, pitching to a 3.45 ERA and 29.5% strikeout percentage over 17 outings.
McConaughey proved he can step up against elite competition. In fact, his performance helped the Cornhuskers reach an NCAA Regional in 2024.
Without Martinez, a new-look Anteaters lineup shouldn't prove to be much of a threat.
Back the Cornhuskers to pull off the upset.
Pick: Nebraska ML +100
