MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (8/14)
We have nine games to choose from this Monday and a few matchups of playoff hopefuls. Out West, the Rays and Giants are beginning a series with both current Wild Card rosters struggling a bit in their last few weeks. The Rays are a bit safer in the standings now but both teams are hoping to turn things around as we get closer to October. Let’s look at our favorite NRFI bets of the day here.
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Sunday's Best No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers
This is a fascinating matchup on paper as it pits an elite offense (Texas) against a well above-average one. These are usually not the matchup types we like to bet on for our NRFI bets, however, the pitching makes this one interesting. Patrick Sandoval takes the ball for the Angels and the lefty has had a weird year, something that could also be used to describe his career. He walks way too many guys and doesn’t get the strikeouts to offset it, but he limits the long ball well enough to keep his ERA low. He is also very good the first time through the order with a 0.278 wOBA allowed. This Rangers’ offense is elite but he is skilled enough to limit damage early. While I do not need to go into much detail about Max Scherzer, the short of it is that he’s allowing too many homers. Interestingly, anecdotally this felt like it was happening early in games but his 0.287 wOBA allowed the first time through does not seem to support this notion. The Angels can hit the long ball but for Max as long as he gets past Ohtani the first time through the order he should be alright.
Pick: No Runs 1st Inning (-105)
Seattle Mariners at Kansas City Royals
The simple truth of this bet about a month ago would’ve been that the Royals stink. However, they have scored the eighth-most runs in the game over the last month with a slightly above-average offense. The positive news is, Logan Gilbert is fantastic and has been excellent the first time through the order with a 0.267 wOBA allowed. While the Royals’ offense has been improved, they are still nowhere near an elite offense to be feared. The Mariners have been one of the hotter teams in baseball at 8-2 in their last ten, however, the success has been both the pitching and hitting side of things. Their wRC+ is top ten in the last thirty days although their runs scored are a bit more middle of the pack. Brady Singer has been awful this season, but aside from BABIP/LOB% the skills look the same as they did last year when he was excellent. While he still has not been elite with a wOBA over 0.300, Singer has been at his best the first time through the order but has also looked great in the second half. He should keep this rolling today and post a clean first frame.
Pick: No Runs 1st Inning (-115)
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