The postseason is within sight, which means these final few weekends are crucial for conference play.
With that being said, I have my eye on 3 games, in particular: Cincinnati vs Kansas State in the Big 12, BYU vs Texas Tech in the Big 12, and Michigan vs Minnesota in the Big 10.
Let's dive into my three college baseball picks and NCAA baseball predictions for Friday, May 8.
College Baseball Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups Action Network's Doug Ziefel is targeting from today's slate of 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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 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. | ||
Cincinnati vs. Kansas State
This opening matchup showcases two teams trending in opposite directions. The Cincinnati Bearcats are rolling into this matchup, having won eight of their last 10 ballgames, whereas the Kansas State Wildcats have performed the direct inverse, going 2-8 over their last 10 games.
Both of these lineups are similar offensively, but it's the men on the mound that are the big differentiator here. Cincinnati's Nathan Taylor has been dynamite on Friday nights, and tonight should be no exception.
Taylor enters this start with a 3.95 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and no signs of regression with a xFIP at 3.97. On the other side of this matchup, you have James Guyette.
Guyette has flashed good swing and miss stuff, but command issues have led to games getting away from him when rallies start. His 6.12 ERA and 1.69 WHIP are a testament to just how much traffic he's worked with this season.
Look for the Bearcats to assert their dominance early and come away with a series-opening win.
Pick: Cincinnati ML -140
| | |
BYU vs. Texas Tech
The Texas Tech Red Raiders have long been a program that's slugged its way to victories, especially at Dan Law Field. This season has been no exception as the Red Raiders rank in the top 10 in average, OPS, and wRC+.
A lineup like that doesn't need much help, but they get a sizable boost in Lubbock, where the high elevation has led to an average of 3.11 more runs per game. However, we've also seen the friendly hitting conditions hurt them as they are just a game over .500, and their starter tonight, Kaysen Raineri, enters with a 6.35 ERA.
On the other side of the pitching matchup, BYU's Wayland Crane is due for regression in this tough environment. Crane enters with a 4.97 ERA, but a 6.80 FIP, and 1.62 WHIP tell a bit of a worse story.
While the Texas Tech lineup is superior, the Cougars are above-average in the power department. So, expect these lineups to trade haymakers as it sails over the total.
Pick: Over 14.5 -120 | Play to 16.5
| | |
Michigan vs. Minnesota
Unlike the game we covered above, this Big Ten matchup between the Michigan Wolverines and Minnesota Golden Gophers has all the makings of a pitcher's duel. Siebert Field in Minneapolis has played the part this season, as games have been played there have posted 1.63 runs per game below average.
The park only helps two standout arms. The first of which is Kurt Barr of Michigan. Barr has pitched to a 3.24 ERA and holds a 1.31 WHIP while striking out nearly 11 batters per nine innings this season.
He'll be opposed by Minnesota's Isaac Morton, who's been just as good, if not better. Morton comes into this start with a 3.54 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.
However, in a matchup like this, the margin for error by both starters is very low, which gives the Wolverines a real shot to pull off the upset. Yes, Michigan is the weaker offensive team, but they should be able to put the ball in play more often and create scoring opportunities.
This game could get away from them if Barr can't work deep, but given how well Barr's been, he gives the Wolverines a good chance to steal Game 1 of this series on the road.
Pick: Michigan ML +135
| | |
