2021 College World Series preview: Mississippi State vs. Virginia betting odds, picks, analysis, more

(Mississippi State Athletics)

Here are the resources you need for Mississippi State vs. Virginia on June 22 at the 2021 College World Series.

Mississippi State vs. Virginia betting odds (via DraftKings)

Run Line: Mississippi State - 1.5 (+140), Virginia +1.5 (-160)

Over/Under: 8.5

Moneyline: Mississippi State -125, Virginia +105

Projected starting pitchers

Mississippi State: Christian MacLeod (L)  80.2 IP, 6-5, 4.24 ERA, 1.31 BRIP, 10% FP. 33% K

Virginia: Griff McGarry (R) 35.2 IP, 0-5, 6.06 ERA, 2.05 BRIP, 25% FP, 35% K

Mississippi State sets strikeout record in win over Texas

Mississippi State set the College World Series single-game record with 21 strikeouts, but had to survive a shaky bottom of the ninth to hold off Texas 2-1 in the final game of the opening round at the College World Series. 

Texas trailed heading into the bottom of the ninth and had been handcuffed by MSU pitchers Will Bednar and Logan Sims.

Bednar and Sims combined for a CWS record 21 strikeouts in the win. 

MSU (21) and Texas (12) combined for a CWS record 33 strikeouts. 

Bednar (8-1) held the Longhorns to one hit through six scoreless innings. He set the MSU record with 15 strikeouts in a CWS game. He left the game after a leadoff walk in the seventh inning.

Bednar had at least two strikeouts in every inning and struck out every Texas hitter at least once. At one point, he struck out seven straight batters. 

MSU pitchers have 765 strikeouts this season, tying Ole Miss for the most strikeouts in the nation. Vanderbilt (699) and Arkansas (657) give the SEC the top four strikeout totals in the nation.

Read our in-depth College World Series preview for Mississippi State at this link.

Logan Michaels stars in Virginia's win against Tennessee

Jeff Michaels went two seasons without seeing his son play college baseball while he battled pancreatic cancer.

On Sunday, he spent Father’s Day at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha watching his son, Logan, and the Virginia Cavaliers play in the College World Series. 

It’s a Father’s Day the Michaels’ family will likely never forget.

Logan Michaels belted his first home run of the season in his first CWS at-bat, leading the Cavaliers to a 6-0 win over No. 3 national seed Tennessee.

The UVa catcher finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs to lead the Cavaliers offense. 

In addition to his third-inning homer, Michaels kick-started a four-run seventh inning that put the game out of reach. 

Michaels stroked a leadoff single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. The Cavaliers followed with four straight hits to stretch the lead to 5-0.

Michaels singled and scored the final run in the ninth inning. 

Virginia, came out aggressive and attacked the fastball, and finished the game with 13 hits. 

Read our in-depth College World Series preview for Virginia at this link.

Southeastern 14's Game Pick for Mississippi State vs. Virginia

In the NCAA tournament, Virginia has scored at least four runs in seven of its nine games and has given up four or fewer in seven of nine. 

However, Mississippi State has the starting pitching advantage with MacLeod on the mound. Plus, the Cavaliers are only hitting .282 in the NCAA tournament. 

On the pitching front for Virginia, McGarry, who is 0-5 in 10 starts this season, went a season-high seven innings and strikeout a season-high 10 batters against Dallas Baptist. However, that snapped a string of eight outings in which McGarry's walk total was equal to or greater than the number of innings he pitched. 

Mississippi State has the Omaha experience advantage having been in this spot before, and MacLeod should lead the way in another victory.

Pick: Mississippi State

Southeastern 14's Best Bet for Mississippi State vs. Virginia

Pick: Mississippi State ML

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