We're now nearly a month into the college baseball season, and while the early nonconference schedule has taught us a lot, the real learning begins with conference play beginning around the country.
With the intensity rising this season, I found three picks for Virginia vs. North Carolina, Washington vs. Indiana and Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech.
Let's dive into my three college baseball picks and NCAA baseball best bets for Friday, March 6.
College Baseball Picks, Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that Action Network's Doug Ziefel is targeting from Friday's slate of NCAA baseball games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 4 p.m. | |
  | 5 p.m. | |
  | 6 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Virginia vs North Carolina Pick
Friday night has been "Win Day" for the North Carolina Tar Heels, and this season has been no different, thanks to starting pitcher Jason DeCaro.
The junior has been lights-out to start this season, pitching to a 1.00 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP through three starts.
He has shown no signs of regression and gets to face a Virginia lineup that has yet to face any elite pitching this season, while having significantly less pop than in years past.
With DeCaro holding down the Hoos, we should see the Tar Heels' bats get going early against Henry Zatkowski.
Zatkowski has gotten off to a decent start as Virginia's ace after transferring from Duke, but he has also yet to be tested. His 6.02 xFIP is more telling than his 6.92 ERA, as it suggests there's no significant improvement coming.
Zatkowski is tasked with an UNC lineup that has thrived this season and owns an impressive 10-run outing that started against East Carolina's Ethan Norby.
Back the Heels to stay hot at home and cover the run line to start their first ACC series.
Pick: North Carolina -1.5 (-130 · Play to -2.5)
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Washington vs Indiana Pick
This is a sell-high spot on Indiana and starting pitcher Tony Neubeck. Yes, Neubeck has a 1.46 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP through three starts, but he's due for significant regression.
Neubeck doesn't miss bats. In fact, his strikeout rate sits at just 16.7%, and his 54.3% ground-ball rate is unsustainable, especially considering that he never had a ground-ball rate higher than 39.1% in three years at Missouri.
Neubeck's regression is what the Washington Huskies need to get their lineup going. Only four of their bats own a BABIP below .300, but this is a lineup that has had only one double-digit scoring effort through 12 games.
While things are lining up well for the bats, the Huskies' ace, Noah Kenney, has been solid. Kenney owns a 3.77 ERA and .226 BAA with a 27% strikeout rate.
If he gets early run support, the Huskies will be in a great spot to cover the run line and potentially pull off an upset.
Pick: Washington +2.5 -110
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Virginia Tech vs Georgia Tech Pick
If you haven't noticed, Georgia Tech is a team I've been all over in the early portion of this season. I have a College World Series winner ticket on the Yellow Jackets and have backed them to cover multiple run lines as some of my best bets already.
All this confidence is spurred by the deepest lineup in the country. They've hit 25 home runs through 13 games and have scored double-digit runs in 10 of their 12 wins.
It's safe to say that Virginia Tech starter Brett Renfrow is in for a challenge. However, Renfrow must be given credit. He has been tremendous, dealing against Rutgers and Texas A&M.
The arms behind him have been horrid, though, allowing 22 earned runs after Refrow has departed from his last two starts. So, if Renfrow struggles, this game will get out of hand in a hurry.
On the other side of this matchup, Georgia Tech ace Tate McKee has been nearly the same as we've seen in years past. McKee has power stuff and possesses great strikeout upside, but he's not untouchable, as his 1.42 WHIP and .265 BAA display.
McKee has been fortunate to work around a lot of traffic, as he's stranded 93.4% of runners in his three starts. That rate is due to come crashing down, and the Hokies have shown they can swing it a bit.
Look for the Yellow Jackets to put another crooked number on the scoreboard while Virginia Tech particpates in getting this game over the total.
Pick: Over 12 (Play to 13.5)
