The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to open up the Oxford Regional in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Georgia Tech enters as a -166 favorite on the moneyline with the over/under sitting at 12.
Let's dive into our Western Kentucky vs. Georgia Tech prediction and college baseball picks for Friday, May 30.
Western Kentucky vs Georgia Tech Prediction
- Western Kentucky vs. Georgia Tech Pick: Western Kentucky +1.5 (-130)
My Georgia Tech vs. Western Kentucky best bet is on the Hilltoppers to cover the run line, with the best line currently available at BetMGM.
Western Kentucky vs Georgia Tech Odds
| Western Kentucky Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -130 | 12 -115o / -115u | +130 |
| Georgia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +100 | 12 -115o / -115u | -166 |
- Western Kentucky vs Georgia Tech Moneyline: WKU +130 · GT -166
- Western Kentucky vs Georgia Tech Over/Under: 12 Runs
- Western Kentucky vs Georgia Tech Run Line: GT -1.5 (+100) · WKU +1.5 (-134)
Western Kentucky vs Georgia Tech College Baseball Betting Preview
This is another angle from my Regionals preview that came to fruition. We're backing another heavy-hitting underdog in the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
Now, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets can rake as well, but the Hilltoppers may have the edge on the mound here.
Western Kentucky hands the ball to ace Drew Whalen, who posted a 3.17 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and averaged over 10 strikeouts per nine innings this season.
Whalen is a high upside arm who's backed up by an even better bullpen. The WKU 'pen has been one of the best in the country, ranking second in ERA and fifth in WHIP.
On top of all that, Whalen and company show no signs of regression and are more than ready to battle the Yellow Jackets' bats.
However, the same can't be said about Georgia Tech starter Tate McKee.
McKee is an enigma who has tremendous stuff, but his lack of command has been apparent in his most recent outings. Over McKee's last three starts, he has a 9.24 ERA, a 2.29 WHIP and a walk per nine rate of 7.8.
The Yellow Jackets do have a Reliever of the Year candidate in Mason Patel to put out any fires, but if the damage is done early against McKee, every run will be insurance for us because the best way to back the Hilltoppers is on the run line.
Pick: Western Kentucky +1.5 (-130)
