College Baseball Picks, Best Bets, Predictions for Friday’s Conference Tournament Games

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After completing a second consecutive sweep, we are 5-1 during conference tournament week. Let's keep rolling by backing two of the top teams in the country.

Included in my NCAA baseball best bets for Thursday's slate are Boston College vs. North Carolina and Oregon vs. Nebraska.

Read my college baseball picks and NCAA baseball best bets for Friday, May 23, below.

Note: While parlaying these picks isn't our official recommendation, we've put together an easy way to do so below.

Quickslip

College Baseball Picks for Friday, May 23

GameTime (ET)Pick
North Carolina Tar Heels LogoBoston College Eagles Logo
7 p.m.
Oregon Ducks LogoNebraska Cornhuskers Logo
7 p.m.
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Check out more college baseball content on our NCAA Baseball page


Boston College vs. North Carolina Pick

Boston College Eagles Logo
Friday, May 23
7 p.m. ET
North Carolina Tar Heels Logo
UNC -3.5 (-108)
BetRivers Logo

I capitalized on Cal running out of gas against Georgia Tech on Thursday.

Boston College's run is due to end on Friday, as their pitching staff is running on fumes entering Friday's game against North Carolina.

To make matters worse, the Tar Heels will likely give their ace, Jake Knapp, the ball, as he's on six days' rest. Knapp was named the ACC Pitcher of the Year after posting a 2.14 ERA and 0.84 WHIP across 13 starts.

The Eagles are fortunate to be in this matchup, as Virginia gifted them five unearned runs on Wednesday. With no quality arms left, the Tar Heels should do damage against Eric Schroeder, who had a 7.44 ERA over 16 appearances.

After Schroeder, the flood gates can open, as the day off won't matter much for the Boston College pen, which posted a 5.93 ERA this season.

Back the Tar Heels to blow out the Eagles and continue their success against conference opposition.

Pick: UNC -3.5 (-108)

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Oregon vs. Nebraska Pick

Oregon Ducks Logo
Friday, May 23
7 p.m. ET
Nebraska Cornhuskers Logo
Oregon -3.5 (-120)
DraftKings Logo

The Cornhuskers were my friends on Tuesday as they came through with the upset victory over Michigan State.

However, it's best to fade them on Friday when they take on the No. 4-ranked Ducks.

The Ducks are red-hot coming into this matchup. They've won 11 straight and captured the Big 10 regular season title.

However, just because they don't have much to play for in terms of seeding, they are not holding back Grayson Grinsell.

Grinsell is coming off a dominant regular season, during which he pitched to a 2.33 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 14 starts. He should cruise against a Nebraska lineup that has been average this season, hitting just .258 as a club and ranking 191st nationally in team OPS.

The Ducks' ace should get plenty of run support tonight as the Oregon lineup that finished 21st nationally in team OPS and 20th in team wRC+ gets to face Nebraska's Jackson Brockett.

Brockett had a solid campaign, posting a 3.62 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP across 14 starts. However, his 5.57 xFIP and 4.63 SIERA suggest that regression is coming, which could hit in his most challenging assignment yet.

Look for the Ducks to jump on Brockett early to give Grinsell and company more than enough run support. Back them to cover the run line and secure a spot in the Big 10 conference semifinals.

Pick: Oregon -2.5 (-120)

About the Author
Doug is a college football, college basketball and MLB contributor at the Action Network. He produces content centered around actionable advice with the goal of helping readers become better bettors. He studied journalism at Rutgers and has previously covered the New York Mets, Indianapolis Colts, and Mid-Atlantic region for Perfect Game.

Follow Doug Ziefel @DougZiefel on Twitter/X.

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