Louisville vs. Coastal Carolina Prediction (June 18, 2025) – College World Series
In case you weren’t aware, the College World Series is happening right now! Baseball’s collegiate best are slugging it out to see who will be the top dog. This is another elimination game, so let’s get into it!
Louisville has already survived two elimination games this week. And Coastal Carolina hasn’t lost a game since May 14. One team has fought through the bracket game by game. The other has made it look like beating each of its opponents was easy.
The Cardinals stayed in it with a six-run eighth inning against Arizona, using pressure on the bases and a perfectly-timed pinch hit to turn a deficit into a multi-run lead. Now they face a Coastal Carolina team that’s held opponents to three runs or less in seven of its last eight and has played solid defense throughout the tourney.
If Louisville doesn’t produce in the first three innings? Coastal’s starter has a really good chance to settle in. He’s worked through full lineups without giving up much contact, and if he hands off a lead, the bullpen has been untouched since the Super Regionals.
Who do we have for this game? Look below for team profiles, betting odds, what to watch for, and our best bets!
Game Details & Stakes
- Matchup Louisville vs. Coastal Carolina
- Date & Time: Wednesday, June 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Charles Schwab Field Omaha (TD Ameritrade Park), Omaha, NE
- Tournament Format: Men’s College World Series, Bracket 1 — double-elimination structure
- How to Watch (US): Live on ESPN
- What’s on the Line: – The winner advances to the Bracket 1 final; the loser is out of the tournament
Louisville Profile
Louisville’s offense forces action with speed, contact, and early-count swings. The staff is built around a high-strikeout starter, and the bullpen has evened out going into their third elimination game in five days.
- Offense: The Cardinals are hitting .305 with 155 stolen bases, applying pressure by forcing quick decisions from opposing infields and pitchers.
- Pitching: Patrick Forbes has 107 strikeouts in 66 innings and continues to anchor the rotation, while the bullpen has improved its control and avoided extra-base traffic in recent games.
- Coaching & History: Dan McDonnell is in his 19th season and has led the program to six College World Series appearances, including two in the past six years.
Coastal Carolina Profile
Coastal Carolina has 25 straight wins, really strong pitching from top to bottom, and a first-year head coach who is building on the program’s national title legacy.
- Winning Streak: The Chanticleers have won 25 in a row, including seven straight in Omaha. They’ve held opponents to two runs or less in five of those games.
- Pitching: Cameron Flukey leads the rotation, while Jaxon Appelman and Ryan Lynch have handled late innings with control and low contact rates.
- Leadership: Head coach Kevin Schnall has kept the program grounded in its 2016 title mindset and was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year.
Betting Odds & Trends
Got a betting itch to scratch? Here are the latest odds and lines according to DraftKings:
| Team | Run Line | Moneyline | Total Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
Louisville | +2.5 (-135) | +190 | Over 11 (-115) |
Coastal Carolina | -2.5 (+110) | -238 | Under 11 (-115) |
- Moneyline: Louisville (+190), Coastal Carolina (–250)
- Run Line: Louisville +2.5 (–135), Coastal Carolina –2.5 (+105)
- Total: 11 (Over –115, Under –115)
Trends
Coastal is the heavy favorite at –250, similar to their previous matchup, but Louisville’s price has grown, and that suggests lower confidence from the market after recent results.
In-Play Factors
- Running Game Impact: Louisville’s stolen base pressure forces defenders to make quick decisions, so expect Coastal’s catcher and middle infield to be way more active.
- Bullpen Workload: Coastal’s relievers have been stretched across multiple appearances this week, and that could affect command in the later innings.
- Pitching Matchup: Forbes and Flukey have both struck out 9 in earlier starts. Whoever handles lineup adjustments better after the third or fourth inning? They will likely give their team the upper hand.
Best Bets for Louisville vs. Coastal Carolina
This is gonna be a heck of a baseball game, but we have some thoughts about where the value sits! Here are our three picks for best bets:
1. Coastal Carolina –1.5 (Run Line)
Our Confidence Level: 8/10
- Covered this line in both College World Series games.
- Scored 8+ runs in each outing with production throughout the lineup.
- Louisville’s bullpen gave up go-ahead runs in the 7th or later in two of their last three tournament games.
2. Under 8.5 Total Runs
Our Confidence Level: 7/10
- Flukey has gone at least six innings in six straight, giving up two or fewer each time.
- Louisville hasn’t produced consistent extra-base contact in this bracket.
- Omaha’s outfield size and current weather have limited home run totals.
3. Coastal Carolina Moneyline
Our Confidence Level: 9/10
This is a straightforward value play. Why? Because it’s hard to bet against the current best team in college baseball!
- Lineup handles off-speed pitching and can pressure weak infielders..
- 25 wins in a row, including back-to-back CWS victories by 4+ runs.
- Pitching staff limits free passes and avoids long innings.
X-Factors / Things to Watch
There are a few things to watch that could change up how both teams play!
- Louisville’s stolen base threat could force rushed throws and decision-making from Coastal’s infield.
- Flukey threw 104 pitches in his last outing; if his pitch count climbs again by the fifth or sixth, Coastal might need multiple relievers to cover the final innings.
- Mid-afternoon wind blowing in from the left could suppress fly balls to that side of the park, which will change how the lineups approach certain matchups.
Prediction Recap: Will the Streak Continue?
Coastal Carolina has won 25 straight because they don’t give opponents much to work with; low walk rates, quick innings, and got hits when they needed them to keep their lead intact. They haven’t needed any huge innings because of steady execution and good matchups.
Louisville’s best shot comes from turning this into a sprint, forcing extra pitches by the fourth or fifth, stealing bases, and creating traffic that Coastal hasn’t dealt with in Omaha yet. If they fall into a back-and-forth game of uneventful innings, they’re at a disadvantage.
Coastal’s pitching and lineup balance make them the safer side. Unless Louisville throws something unexpected at them? The streak will hit 24!
We think it’ll be a close game in the early innings, but Coastal will get the lead and never look back.
Final Score Prediction: Coastal Carolina 5, Louisville 2
The Chanticleers get to the Bracket 1 final by suppressing contact and generating just enough run support!
Please remember to bet responsibly and within your means. Odds can change as it gets closer to the first pitch so be sure to keep an eye on it with one of our recommended sports betting sites.
