- The LSU Tigers look to clinch the College World Series title in Game 2 of their 3-game series vs Florida
- Cade Beloso’s homer gave LSU a 4-3 win in 11 innings in Game 1 vs the Gators
- Don’t miss the Florida vs LSU predictions and odds below
Less than a week ago, the LSU Tigers (53-16) were staring at an elimination game in the College World Series.
And even if they got through that one, they would have needed to knock off top-seeded Wake Forest twice just to get to the championship series — a team that had yet to lose back-to-back games all season.
Fast forward to now, and with one more win over the Florida Gators, LSU will be college baseball kings.
Cade Beloso’s solo shot proved to be the difference, as LSU topped Florida 4-3 in 11 innings, taking Game 1 of the best-of-3 finale. Ty Floyd was also remarkable for the Tigers, pitching eight innings of 5-hit ball, and fanning 17 Gators, part of 20k’s for LSU on the evening.
The trophy will be at the park Sunday (June 25) as the Tigers look to clinch the CWS. First pitch is schedule for 3pm ET from Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, NE. You can watch the game live on ESPN and ESPN+.
Florida vs LSU Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Gators | -115 | -1.5 (+145) | Ov 9.5 (-105) |
| LSU Tigers | -115 | +1.5 (-180) | Un 9.5 (-125) |
Oddsmakers have pegged both Florida and LSU as -115 on the moneyline, with a total set at 9.5 runs.
While this series is far from over, a Game 1 win if a great checkpoint. The winner of the CWS series opener has gone on to win 63.2% of the time (12 of 19), with nine series ending with two-game sweeps.
Odds as of June 24 at DraftKings. Get a DraftKings promo code to bet on the College World Series
Florida vs LSU Probable Pitchers
There’s probably not a better option for the Gators in Game 2 than Hurston Waldrep.
The junior righty last pithed June 18 against Oral Roberts, going six innings, giving up seven hits and just one earned run, walking three and striking out 12.
Hurston Waldrep’s 10th, 11th and 12th Ks. pic.twitter.com/v7JtL6JwV0
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 19, 2023
He’s easily been Florida’s best pitcher during the NCAA tourney. In three starts, Waldrup has given up just two earned runs in 21 innings of work, walking seven and fanning 37.
On the year, he’s third in the NCAA in strikeouts, with 158.
Waldrep vs Ackenhausen Stats
| 10-3 | Record | 2-0 |
| 3.99 | ERA | 2.86 |
| 1.329 | WHIP | 1.165 |
| 3.02 | SO/W Ratio | 2.38 |
As usual, the Tigers have yet to name a starter, but following their rotation at the CWS, there’s a good chance Nate Ackenhausen will get the call.
The junior lefty was lights out in his last start, giving up just four hits over six innings, striking out seven in a 5-0 win over the Tennessee Volunteers in a loser-goes-home match.
It was just his second start all season.
Gators vs Tigers Players to Watch
Beloso’s shot is obviously the one people will remember most, but he wouldn’t have been in that position if Tommy White hadn’t crushed a pitch to left to tie things up 3-3 in the eighth inning.
Florida was just five outs away from closing things out.
The Tigers got just enough offense, but they missed a ton of opportunities, leaving a whopping 17 men on base in Game 1.
CADE BELOSO LEFT NO DOUBT ABOUT IT IN THE ELEVENTH 💪🐯 pic.twitter.com/lphxTQch3g
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 25, 2023
Though he was 0-for-3 with a run scored, Dylan Crews has been a standout all tourament, hitting .419 with three doubles, two home runs and seven RBI in eight games. Beloso is batting .323 in the postseason, with three HR and eight RBI.
Florida is hoping their key hitters get going before it’s too late. Jac Caglianone, who tied for the NCAA lead with 31 homers and was sixth with 84 RBI, is 2-for-17 with one RBI, and five strikeouts in the CWS.
Freshman second baseman Cade Kurland did drive in a run in Game 1, but he has just three hits in 19 at-bats in the leadoff spot, with three RBI.
Gators vs Tigers Prediction
There aren’t too many losing skids when you’ve won 53 of 69 games in a season, but the Gators have lost back-to-back games twice this season.
They dropped three straight to South Carolina in April, and dropped the final two of a three-game set against Texas A&M in May.
LSU has shown the ability to win behind their powerhouse tandem of Floyd and Paul Skenes, but they’ve also been able to win with a pitcher-by-committee, as well as unheralded efforts like the one delivered by Ackenhausen last time out.
It’s hard to pick a winner, but you can expect the much of the same style of play as you saw Saturday night. It’s a generous runline for two teams that have played in a game with 10 runs scored just once between them at the College World Series.
Pick: UNDER 9.5 runs (-110)
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