UConn vs. Stanford Prediction and Odds for Stanford Super Regional Game 3 (Who Goes to College World Series?)
By Reed Wallach
One of the final two tickets to Omaha will be punched Monday afternoon in Palo Alto.
Stanford's path to the College World Series is wide open with the elimination of Tennessee over the weekend, but must knock off Connecticut one final time in order to return to the College World Series.
Following a near-comeback in Game 1 Saturday, along with a comprehensive victory over the Huskies Sunday, the Cardinal hope to break through with a decisive Game 3 win today
Here are the odds for Monday's series finale at 4 p.m. ET, 1 p.m. local time:
UConn vs. Stanford Odds, Run Line, Total
Run Line:
- UConn: +1.5 (+106)
- Stanford: -1.5 (-130)
Moneyline:
- UConn: +205
- Stanford: -260
Total: 12.5 (Over -104/Under -118)
UConn vs. Stanford Prediction and Pick
Starters aren't typically confirmed until a few hours before first pitch, but the expectation is that the Cardinal will go with Quinn Matthews, who has a 2.60 ERA this season in 25 starts across 93.1 innings. He strikes out more than 2 batters for every walk he deals out, only allowing only 4 home runs.
Connecticut struggled in Game 2 after allowing seven runs in the first two innings behind starter Austin Peterson. They also hit 2-for-17 with runners on base. However, the Huskies showed they are fully capable of coming back in the second inning of Game 1, scoring eight runs and hitting three home runs.
While UConn's offense has proven they can hang, they have a stiff test against Matthews. This Huskies team is built on their pitching, posting top five marks in ERA and WHIP, and likely has trusted starter Enzo Stefanoni (3.20 ERA this season). He did allow 9 home runs this year, something he must limit against an explosive Stanford offense, but the bullpen is still flush after Cole Chudoba ate up 5.2 innings of relief.
Stanford is the far more talented team, but UConn has proven that the bats can come alive, and I trust their pitching staff more based on their season-long metrics. In a deciding matchup, I'll side with the underdog to pull another shocker and go to Omaha as unlikely entrant to the final eight.
PICK: UConn +205
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!