Kentucky vs Florida Odds, Predictions, Starting Pitchers for College World Series (June 19)

• 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 Wednesday, June 19, in Omaha

A spot in the national semifinals is on the line in Omaha on Wednesday morning when the Florida Gators (35-29) face the Kentucky Wildcats (46-15) in the bottom half of the 2024 College World Series bracket (10:00 am CT/11:00 am ET). The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday night but was postponed due to weather.

Both 1-1 in the double-elimination portion of the tournament so far, the winner of Wednesday morning’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

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).

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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 Wednesday’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 on Monday.

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

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)