Georgia’s Kolby Branch (9) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a grand slam during a NCAA Athens Regional baseball game against UNCW in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, June 1, 2024.
- The eighth and final spot in the 2024 College World Series is on the line when NC State faces Georgia on Monday night
- The first two games of the NC State vs Georgia series combined for 32 runs
- See the NC State vs Georgia odds, picks, and predictions for Game 3 on Monday in Athens, GA
The prize could scarcely be bigger for the #10 NC State Wolfpack (37-21) and #7 Georgia Bulldogs (43-16) on Monday night when they meet in the third and final game of the Athens Super Regional. The winner will claim the eighth and final berth in the 2024 College World Series, which starts on Friday, June 14, in Omaha, NE.
First pitch at Foley Field is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET and the NC State vs Georgia odds show the Bulldogs as -150 home favorites to win and advance.
NC State vs Georgia Game 3 Odds
| Team | Runline | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC State Wolfpack | TBD | +120 | TBD |
| Georgia Bulldogs | TBD | -150 | TBD |
The Wolfpack are currently +120 road underdogs while the runline and game total are off the board. Georgia’s -150 odds to win carry an implied win probability of 60% while NC State’s +120 odds have an implied win probability of 45.45%.
Odds as of June 10. Get one of the best betting promo codes to land a bonus today.
NC State vs Georgia Recent Results
The first two games of this series have been anything but dramatic. The Wolfpack won Game 1 on Saturday in a laugher by a score of 18-1. Wolfpack catcher Jacob Cozart, who leads the team with 19 home runs this season, was 3-for-6 with two home runs and three RBI in the series opener, while right fielder Noah Soles was 2-for-5 with five RBI in the number nine hole. The Wolfpack chased Georgia starter (and wins and strikeouts leader) Kolten Smith after just one-plus innings, tagging him for ten earned runs.
The Wolfpack mashed 20 hits and were helped by a pair of errors from UGA.
NC State starting pitcher Sam Highfill went 6.2 innings, allowing just one run on four hits and three walks.
The Bulldogs answered back in Game 2 on Sunday with an 11-2 victory. Like Game 1, the outcome was all but settled early with Georgia jumping out to a 5-0 lead after three innings and 8-0 after three.
After calling on a trio of relievers to cover 8.0 innings in Game 1, UGA got a strong and necessarily-deep start from Leighton Finley in Game 2. The 6’5 sophomore went 6.2 innings, allowing one run on eight hits and two walks with five Ks. DHTre Phelps had a three-run homer in the third inning which proved to be the winning runs.
Neither team has named a starter for Game 3. If the Bulldogs stick to their recent rotation, Zach Harris (6.69 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) is likely to be on the mound. The Wolfpack are likely to rely heavily on bullpen arms, particularly its two top relievers Derrick Smith and Jacob Dudan, who haven’t pitched an inning yet in the series.
NC State vs Georgia Game 3 Predictions
The Wolfpack are in a better position, pitching-wise. They only used four pitchers through the first two games and their best arms are fresh. But the Bulldogs have been the stronger team on almost all statistical fronts this season. They have a much higher slugging percentage (.592 vs .451) and batting average (.305 vs .272) and have nearly doubled NC State in home runs (149 to 79), while their team ERA is slightly lower (5.73 vs 5.98).
In what should be another high-scoring game, I’m backing the UGA bats to outduel the Wolfpack and book their first ticket to the CWS since 2008.
NC State vs UGA pick: Georgia moneyline (-150)
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 NC State Wolfpack and the Georgia Bulldogs are set to face off in Game 3 of the Athens Super Regional on Sunday, with both teams vying for a spot in the College World Series. The series is currently tied at 1-1, with each team claiming a victory in the first two games.
NC State, the No. 16 seed in the tournament, came into the series as the underdog against the No. 4 seed Georgia Bulldogs. However, the Wolfpack have proven themselves to be a formidable opponent, with a strong offense and solid pitching staff. They were able to take Game 1 with a score of 8-6, thanks to a standout performance from their hitters.
On the other hand, the Georgia Bulldogs bounced back in Game 2, winning 10-6 behind a dominant pitching performance from their ace. The Bulldogs have a powerful lineup that can score runs in bunches, and they will look to continue their offensive success in Game 3.
As for the odds, the Georgia Bulldogs are currently favored to win Game 3, with sportsbooks giving them a slight edge over NC State. However, anything can happen in baseball, and the Wolfpack have shown that they are more than capable of pulling off an upset.
In terms of picks and predictions, it’s a tough call. Both teams have shown that they have what it takes to win, and it could come down to which team executes better on the day. If NC State can continue to get production from their hitters and their pitchers can keep the Bulldogs’ offense in check, they have a good chance of coming out on top. On the other hand, if Georgia’s offense can continue to put up runs and their pitching staff can shut down the Wolfpack’s hitters, they will be in a good position to win.
Overall, Game 3 of the Athens Super Regional is shaping up to be an exciting and competitive matchup between two talented teams. Fans can expect a close game with plenty of action on both sides of the ball. It’s anyone’s game at this point, and it will be interesting to see which team comes out on top and punches their ticket to the College World Series.
