LSU vs Florida CWS Game 3 Picks, Predictions & Odds (June 26)

• The Tigers are -130 moneyline favorites in the LSU vs Florida odds for Game 3 of the College World Series
• LSU has yet to name a starter, but the hope is National Pitcher of the Year Paul Skenes will be available
• Don’t miss the LSU vs Florida picks, predictions and odds below

The College World Series Finals is now down to a winner-take-all Game 3. Florida evened the best-of-three series on Sunday, by routing LSU 24-4. The Gators 24 runs were the most in College World Series history, and the 20-run winning margin was the second largest all-time.

Despite the offensive outburst, online sportsbooks are siding against Florida in Monday’s showdown to crown a National Champion.

LSU vs Florida Odds

They’ve pegged the Tigers as -130 moneyline favorites, in a contest with a total of 9. First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm ET at Charles Schwab Field, in Omaha, Nebraska, with ESPN and ESPN+ providing the broadcast coverage.

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LSU vs Florida Probable Pitchers

The main reason LSU is getting so much respect ahead of Game 3, is because there’s a chance they get to trot out Paul Skenes with the title on the line.

The National Pitcher of the Year is expected to be a top-two selection in next month’s MLB Draft, and is coming off a Masterclass performance against top-seed Wake Forest that got the Tigers into the Finals. Skenes struck out nine batters over 8 shutout innings in Thursday’s elimination game, scattering only two hits.

Johnson on Paul Skenes’ availability:
“As I talked about last time, we do a process to figure that out which doesn't take place until day of the game. I mean, you're going on game 8 in 10 days so we have to be mindful of all that.” #LSU

— Leah Vann (@LVann_Sports) June 25, 2023

The 6-foot-6 righty is 12-2 in 19 starts this season, with a minuscule 1.69 ERA and 203 strikeouts in only 122.2 innings. There’s plenty of optimism that he’ll get the nod, but manager Jay Johnson has not confirmed a starter as of Sunday night.

Skenes did throw 120 pitches on Thursday, so even if he does toe the rubber it’s fair to question how many innings he’ll realistically be able to eat on such short rest. If Skenes can’t go, LSU could opt to use Javen Coleman as an opener, much like they did in their first of two elimination games against the Demon Deacons.

Skenes vs Caglianone Stats

As for Florida, they’re expected to give the ball to Jac Caglianone. The sophomore was 7-3 this season with a 3.68 ERA, and started Wednesday’s victory over TCU that propelled the Gators into the Finals. Caglianone is a fine option, but he’s better known for his work at the plate.

He smacked two home runs in Sunday’s blowout victory, and leads the nation with 33 dingers. He’ll have his work cut out for him against the Tigers lineup, who despite failing to post a ton of runs on Sunday, certainly had plenty of opportunities.

LSU vs Florida Predictions

LSU had seven hits and drew eight walks, but stranded 13 runners in Game 2. That comes after leaving 17 runners on base in Game 1, in a 4-3 extra innings victory.

The Tigers were one of the most potent lineups in college baseball this season, but we’ve yet to see their ceiling in the College World Series. They’ve slashed .306/.429/.554 this season, and scored 48 runs in five NCAA Tournament games prior to the CWS.

College World Series Finals Results

The unit is led by National Player of the Year Dylan Crews, someone the Gators have struggled to keep off base. Crews has reached base four times in eight plate appearances this series, scoring three times.

LSU belted three home runs in Game 1, and you have to like their chances for success at the dish on Monday, given that Florida has already burned its top two starters (Brandon Sproat and Hurston Waldrep).

As for the Gators bats, sure they exploded on Sunday versus primarily a cast of second-tier relievers, but online sportsbooks aren’t reading too much into that and neither should you.

Cags ties the BBCOR record with his 32nd Jac!#GoGators // 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/v2ZKIvo9nR

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) June 25, 2023

The boxscore looks impressive with six home runs, but the Tigers committed five errors that led to five runs, and folded up the tent early in an attempt to preserve their best arms. Each of the four final relievers that LSU trotted out had an ERA north of 5.60 this season, and that group combined to allow 16 runs.

It will be a different story on Monday, especially if Skenes is given a chance to start. Over his last three starts he’s allowed only two runs, throwing at least 7.2 innings each time out, and striking out 30.

Pick: LSU Tigers Moneyline (-130)