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Florida vs. LSU prediction and odds for College World Series Finals Game 1

By Reed Wallach

Jun 21, 2023; Omaha, NE, USA; LSU Tigers center fielder Dylan Crews (3) scores on a wild pitch against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the third inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 21, 2023; Omaha, NE, USA; LSU Tigers center fielder Dylan Crews (3) scores on a wild pitch against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the third inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Two SEC teams meet in the College World Series Finals after LSU won a thrilling Game 3, 2-0 in extra innings, against Wake Forest, setting up a three game series against Florida for the National Championship.

Both teams have been at the top of the odds board all season and meet in the Finals, but the two SEC schools haven’t met all season. Both LSU and Florida have been on a collision course all season with future pro baseball players on each roster.

Here’s the odds for Game 1 of potential three:

Florida vs. LSU odds, run line and total

Florida vs. LSU prediction and pick

The Tigers advanced in thrilling fashion on Thursday night and the pitching staff will be far more taxed than the Gators, who have been off since Wednesday night. Florida has a ton of pop in the lineup, fifth in slugging percentage in the regular season against the sixth most difficult schedule.

We don’t have confirmation on who will start for the Bayou Bengals, but it’ll likely be a bullpen-centric outing with Ty Floyd (5.21 ERA) or Nate Ackenhausen (4.99 ERA) starting. Both starters have struggled with control all season and the Gators may be in line for a big night at the plate.

However, don’t count out the Tigers, arguably the most complete roster in college baseball. The team averages nearly nine runs per game this season and will face a middling Florida pitching staff that checked in 55th in regular season ERA. The Gators have a more consistent bullpen, anchored by Cade Fisher (3.21) ERA, but I’m counting on LSU to bounce back offensively after facing a far more talented staff in Wake Forest as the team only scored a combined nine runs across three games.

I don’t have a play on the side, especially without confirmation on who is starting for both teams, but given that both teams lack the starting pitching depth to hold up against high powered offenses, I’ll take the over in Game 1.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.