ESPN’s Ryan McGee predicts tense, high-scoring affair in Game 3 of MCWS Finals

ESPN’s Ryan McGee is looking forward to a dramatic conclusion to the college baseball season.

After a fun and dramatic NCAA Tournament, Texas A&M and Tennessee are squaring off in the College World Series Finals. After the Aggies rolled to a 9-5 win in Game 1, Tennessee delivered a counterpunch in Game 2. Facing elimination, the Vols received 2-run home runs from Dylan Dreiling and Cal Stark in the late innings for a 4-1 win on Sunday.

Now, the two sides will face off for a Game 3 to cap the baseball season and crown a national champion. Being the final game, McGee is expecting plenty of drama and the potential for a high-scoring affair before we get to the end of the game.

In an appearance for “The Pat McAfee Show,” McGee explained that both rosters should be fully available with a title on the line. He also expects things to be tense early on but believes the “dam is going to break” at some point.

“It’s going to be tense, and it’s going to be hot,” said McGee. “…I think it will be tense today, but I think the dam is going to beak. Both coaches have said we’re going to empty the benches, there are no more games after today. The pitching is actually set up pretty nice for both with rested arms. They’re going to use everybody.

“If you see a pitcher walk a batter and even 2 batters, he’s gone. They’re going to yank him and throw somebody else in there because the entire roster is available for the most part. I personally think it’ll start off tense, but this could end up being like an 11-10 game.”

“This game is gonna be tense to start and there’s no more games after today..

These two teams are gonna use everybody and the pitching is setup pretty nicely” @ESPNMcGee #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/NDqyHrclEt

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 24, 2024

As for who comes out on top, McGee referred to the history of the 3-game Finals format where the winner of Game 1 has taken the title 13-of-20 times. He gives the advantage Monday night to the Aggies but also admitted the Vols are the No. 1 team in the country for a reason.

“We get to game three a lot but the team that wins the first game typically wins the series..

I think Texas A&M still has the advantage because of that but Tennessee is still the number one team in the country” ~ @ESPNMcGee#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/xu8Ee7gb7a

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 24, 2024

Game 3 by the numbers

Heading into Game 3, BetMGM has set the total at 10.5 while Tennessee is a favorite at -250 to win outright. After a slow output in Game 2, it will be interesting to see if the bats wake up to push for the over 10.5 number. Fans can find the best odds and latest movement with SDS’s Tennessee sports betting apps.

Regardless of who wins it will be a historic night for one program. Tennessee and Texas A&M have never won the CWS, so college baseball will crown a first-ever champion Monday night.

The broadcast is set for 7 pm ET on ESPN.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.