LSU To Take On Florida In Men's College World Series Finals

The Tigers and Gators run back their 2017 championship series in Omaha this weekend.

© Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Three hundred and five teams began their baseball season in February. Sixty four of them earned bids to the NCAA Baseball Championship. Eight of those teams earned coveted spots in Omaha. Now, just two remain – the LSU Tigers face the Florida Gators in the Men's College World Series final. The best-of-three championship series begins Saturday, June 24 at 6 p.m. CT.

Florida and LSU last squared off in the CWS final in 2017, where the Gators captured their first and only program title in two games. LSU last won a National Championship in 2009 and are seeking their seventh program title.

A 11-inning pitchers' duel on Thursday night sealed the deal for LSU. However, their ace Paul Skenes threw 120 pitches in eight innings and will likely be unavailable for the entirety of the championship series. Tommy White hit a two-run blast to walk off Wake Forest and vault LSU to the title games. It was the third straight game the Tigers won facing elimination.

Florida's route to the College World Series final wasn't quite so arduous. The Gators swept Bracket 1, beating TCU 3-2 in the semifinals on Wednesday. Florida benefitted from clean sweeping their competition and enter Saturday with two extra days' rest on LSU.

College World Series Final: LSU Vs. Florida Preview

Florida's top two starters – Hurston Waldrep (8-3, 3.99 ERA) and Brandon Sproat (8-3, 4.66) – each are on a week long rest. Their top starter, two-way All American Jac Caglianone (7-3, 3.68) will have four day's rest should he be called upon for Monday's if-necessary Game 3. All American closer Brandon Neely closed out each of Florida's CWS (all of which were by one run), but eclipsed 30 pitches just once.

While Florida has the pitching and rest advantages, LSU has the power-hitting advantage in the game. Aside from White (23 home runs), All American Dylan Crews and DH Cade Beloso provide a loaded top-end of the lineup. Eight of LSU's nine regular starters have at least 10 home runs; the lone not to is first baseman Tre' Morgan, who is terrific defensively and bats .314.

Caglianone isn't just Florida's top pitching option, but also their top batter, as well. He set the Florida program home run record this season with 31 and counting. Five Gators in the lineup have at least 15 home runs, led by Wyatt Langford (.363 average) and Josh Rivera (.361).

Weather conditions Sunday are favorable for power-hitting teams like LSU. Winds blowing from home plate to center field are forecast to sustain at 20+ mph. There is no rain in the forecast for any of the games.

Despite both reigning from the SEC, these two teams have not faced each other yet this season – either in the regular season or SEC Tournament. Florida is an early favorite in the series and a slim one.

College World Series Final Schedule

Games are played at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb., and will be broadcast on ESPN.

• Game 1: Saturday, June 24, 6 p.m. CT
• Game 2: Sunday, June 25, 2 p.m. CT
• Game 3 (if necessary): Monday, June 26, 6 p.m. CT

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