The first weekend of the college baseball season has come and gone. While we learned a bit, there are plenty of teams that are yet to be put to the test.
I've pinpointed three matchups that feature teams in that category, as that's where the value lies.
So without further ado, let's dive into my three college baseball picks and NCAA baseball predictions for Friday, February 20.
College Baseball Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that 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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 5 p.m. | |
  | 6:35 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. | ||
North Carolina vs. East Carolina
We kick things off with a matchup that features two of the best arms in the country. Jason DeCaron takes the ball for North Carolina for the second time this season.
DeCaro began the year sharp as he dealt five innings of shutout ball while allowing just two hits and striking out seven. He figures to pick up right where he left off against an ECU lineup that has been quite underwhelming to start the season, having scored three runs or less in three of their first five games of the season.
However, the Pirates have an arm that can match DeCaro in Ethan Norby. The junior for ECU has been stellar throughout his collegiate career and has a knack for rising to the occasion in big games.
He will have to do that again today after he looked out of sorts during his first start of the season. Norby uncharacteristically struggled with his command, walking two batters and hitting two more as he lasted just 3 and 2/3 innings.
Although his pedigree makes him the best bounce-back candidate on this slate, I expect him and DeCaro to duel for the majority of this matchup.
This early in the season, elite pitching will have the edge, and that means runs will be a premium. Take the under.
Pick: Under 11.5 (-120) |Play to 10.5
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Iowa vs. Florida Atlantic
This line has already begun to flip at some spots, and it's easy to see why. The Iowa Hawkeyes have proven they can mash, having scored 54 runs over their last two games, and no, that's not a typo.
However, they've also shown the ability to give up runs in bunches as they allowed 15 to Kansas State on Opening Day and 13 to Northeastern last Sunday. Tyler Guerin is set to get the ball after allowing seven runs on six hits and walking five in his first time out.
He faces an FAU team that has not shown much at the plate, combining for just five runs through four games thus far. However, despite the lack of run production, the Owls have split those four games, and one win was thanks to ace James Litman, who allowed just one run and struck out nine batters in four innings of work against Notre Dame.
The Owls host this matchup and have an edge on the mound, but there's no doubt that this game is loaded with question marks. However, by the end of it, the Owls will prove to be the better side.
Pick: FAU ML +110 | Play to -110
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Oregon State vs. Baylor
Lastly, we turn to the nightcap of the Round Rock classic, where one of the most electric arms in the country is set to take the mound, Dax Whitney.
The Oregon State Beavers' ace was sharp in this first start of the year against Michigan. Whitney struck six over five innings while allowing just one run. Unfortunately, he was matched on the mound in that contest, and the bullpen couldn't keep the Wolverines quiet.
Although in this matchup, we should see Whitney stretched out a bit farther against a Baylor lineup that has not seen pitching of this level yet.
The same can be said about Baylor's starting pitcher, Stefan Stahl, who had a successful extended relief outing against New Mexico State, but held a 6.75 ERA across 19 outings last season.
We should see the Beavers' lineup heat up in this game and capitalize on the great hitting environment that is Dell Diamond. Not many runs are needed when Whitney's on the hill, but you can back Oregon to have plenty to spare as they cover the run line.
Pick: Oregon State -1.5 (-105)
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