Jun 17, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators starting pitcher and designated hitter Jac Caglianone (14) hits a three run home run against the NC State Wolfpack during the second inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
- The Florida Gators and Kentucky Wildcats meet in a win-or-go-home game at the 2024 College World Series
- The starting-pitcher matchup will leave a lot to be desired for both teams
- See the Florida vs Kentucky odds, predictions, and probable starters for Tuesday, June 18, in Omaha
A spot in the national semifinals is on the line in Omaha on Tuesday night when the Florida Gators (35-29) face the Kentucky Wildcats (46-15) in the bottom half of the 2024 College World Series bracket. Both 1-1 in the double-elimination portion of the tournament so far, the winner of Tuesday night’s game will advance to face Texas A&M in the semis, needing to win two straight against the Aggies to reach the best-of-three final series.
The Kentucky vs Florida odds slightly favor the Wildcats advancing.
Kentucky vs Florida Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Wildcats (Niman) | -130 | -1.5 (+114) | O 10 (-105) |
| Florida Gators (Peterson) | +100 | +1.5 (-145) | U 10 (-125) |
Kentucky is listed at -130 on the moneyline and +114 to win by multiple runs. The Gators come back as even-money underdogs and a -145 bet to keep the score within a run. The game total is sitting at 10.0 runs with the under favored (-105o/-125u).
Odds as of June 18. Claim the Fanatics sports betting bonus to wager on the 2024 College World Series.
With just six teams remaining in the tournament, Tennessee is a -115 odds-on favorite to win the national championship, followed by Texas A&M at +160. Kentucky (+1300) and Florida (+2000) sit third and fourth, respectively. The two other teams on Tennessee’s side of the bracket – Florida State (+2200) and North Carolina (+2500) – have the longest odds on the board.
Florida kept its season alive last night with a 5-4 victory over NC State. Jac Caglianone, the #3 prospect in the upcoming MLB draft, had the biggest swing of the game: a three-run homer in the second inning which gave UF a 4-1 lead that it would not relinquish. Both bullpens were outstanding as neither team scored a run over the final four innings, a very un-Florida-like occurrence. The Gators emerged with the win despite only mustering four hits in the entire game.
Kentucky was put on the brink of elimination by an outstanding pitching performance from Texas A&M ace Ryan Prager. A potential first-round pick himself in the 2024 draft, Prager held the Wildcats hitless over 6.2 innings as the Aggies secured a 5-1 win.
UK starter Mason Moore held the Aggies scoreless through five, but disaster struck in a five-run sixth inning that doomed Kentucky’s chances of remaining unbeaten at the 2024 CWS.
When the teams met during SEC play from May 10 to 12, Kentucky took two of three high-scoring affairs, winning the opener 12-11 and the rubber match 7-5, while Florida took the middle game 10-1 (meaning UF actually outscored Kentucky 26-20 over 27 innings).
Kentucky vs Florida Probable Pitchers
Neither coach has announced his starter for Tuesday’s do-or-die game, but it’s likely that Kentucky will roll with fifth-year senior Dominic Niman, given that ace Trey Pooser threw 106 pitchers over 6.2 innings on Saturday and number-two starter Mason Moore pitched 5.0 innings yesterday.
Niman was the starter when UK was hammered 10-1 by Florida back on May 11, allowing six runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.0 innings with just three strikeouts.
There is a good chance that UF goes back to freshman Liam Peterson, who threw just 64 pitchers over 2.1 innings in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Texas A&M.
Peterson was also the starter for Florida in that game and put in one of his best performances of the season. The freshman went six strong while allowing just one run on five hits and two walks with six Ks.
Dominic Niman vs Liam Peterson
| 8-4 | Record | 3-5 |
| 70.2 | IP | 62.2 |
| 6.24 | ERA | 6.18 |
| 1.472 | WHIP | 1.660 |
| 8.4 | K/9 | 10.9 |
| 2.64 | K-to-BB Ratio | 1.90-to-1 |
Kentucky vs Florida Prediction
If Niman is on the mound for Kentucky, the Gators are apt to have another huge day at the plate, especially early. The good news for UK is that its bullpen is considerably less taxed than Florida’s. The Gators needed eight innings out of its pen yesterday and 6.2 on Saturday. The Wildcats pen has only accounted for 6.1 innings over the first two games of the CWS.
But I still like the value on Florida at even money better than Kentucky at -130. Leaving aside the debate about whether Florida should have been in the regional bracket to begin with, this is one of the most-talented teams in the country and its finally starting to play like it.
UK vs FLA picks:
- Florida moneyline (-100)
- Over 10.0 runs (-105)
Sascha was a hockey player in his youth, a lawyer in his capricious mid-20s, and has been with SBD since 2014. He specializes in football, basketball, politics, baseball, and hockey.
The College World Series is heating up as the Kentucky Wildcats prepare to take on the Florida Gators in a highly anticipated matchup on June 18th. Both teams have had impressive seasons leading up to this point, and fans are eagerly awaiting to see which team will come out on top.
The odds for this matchup are currently favoring the Florida Gators, who have been ranked as one of the top teams in the country throughout the season. However, the Kentucky Wildcats have proven themselves to be a formidable opponent, and they are sure to put up a tough fight against the Gators.
One of the key factors to watch in this matchup will be the starting pitchers for each team. For Kentucky, their ace pitcher is expected to be on the mound, bringing his impressive record and strong pitching skills to the game. On the other side, the Florida Gators will be relying on their own talented pitcher to shut down the Wildcats’ offense.
In terms of predictions, this matchup is expected to be a close and competitive game. Both teams have strong lineups and solid pitching rotations, making it difficult to predict a clear winner. However, fans can expect to see a high-energy game with plenty of excitement and drama on the field.
Overall, the Kentucky vs Florida matchup in the College World Series is sure to be a thrilling game for baseball fans everywhere. With two talented teams facing off, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will come out on top. Be sure to tune in on June 18th to catch all the action and see which team will advance in the tournament.
