College Baseball Odds, Pick & Prediction Today: Friday, May 31

ILL: +120 | ISU: -150
Game Time: 7 pm. ET
Where: Lexington, Ky.
Odds via Caesars

The Indiana State Sycamores were one game away from hosting a Regional. But then they lost to Evansville in the Missouri Valley Conference championship game, and now they’re the second seed in the Lexington Regional. Brutal outcome for a team that ranks 10th in the RPI.

We have the luxury of knowing tonight’s starters. The Illini will roll with RHP Jack Crowder, whose 7-2 record masks a 5.79 RA9 and 1.300 WHIP. The Illini have a 5.89 ERA as a team, which ranks 137th. They lean on their offense and its .926 OPS, which ranks 30th.

The Sycamores plan to start LHP Zach Davidson, whose 5-1 record is actually ed by a strong 2.92 RA9 and 0.898 WHIP. He recorded those numbers across 22 appearances, none of which were starts. He averages 2.1 innings pitched per outing, so he’s likely an opener.

Behind Davidson, ISU has a talented cast of arms, including three routine starters with sub-4 ERAs. Their 4.61 ERA as a team ranks 28th nationally. It’s unclear who will take the bump after Davidson exits, but it should be a pitcher who retains their advantage over Crowder.

It’s not like Indiana State is a pitching-dependent team, either. The Sycamores rank 29th nationally in team OPS (.929) and total home runs (101). Indiana State just does everything well. They have a better than 60% chance of starting the Lexington Regional with a victory.