Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (10/15)

The Divisional Round action continues as all eight remaining teams take the field today. The Braves, Mariners and Dodgers all have their backs against the wall while the Yankees and Guardians will battle it out for a commanding 2-1 lead.

There are plenty of ways to bet today's four-game slate, but I've narrowed in on these two No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets.

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

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New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians were able to escape the Bronx with a victory and in doing so, they've shifted the home-field advantage in their favor for this now best-of-three series. Game three gets underway at 7:37 p.m. ET from Cleveland with a pitching matchup featuring Luis Severino and Triston McKenzie.

Severino fought through injuries this season but ultimately made 19 starts and posted a 7-3 record, 3.18 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 102.0 innings of work. The right-hander finished the season on a high note, throwing 7.0 hitless innings against the Rangers. Severino only surrendered a walk while striking out seven in the winning effort.

McKenzie had an elite regular season and that carried over into his first playoff start in the Wild Card Round. The young righty faced the Rays last Saturday and tossed 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and two walks. McKenzie struck out eight in the no-decision effort and this was the 15-inning affair that the Guardians won 1-0 to advance to this round.

McKenzie is not only in impeccable form, but he also has fantastic head-to-head numbers against the visiting Yankees. Over 42 at-bats, he's allowed just seven hits (.167) with only three of them being extra-base hits. As for Severino, we don't have much in the head-to-head department. He's only faced Luke Maile, Jose Ramirez and Amed Rosario and they've gone 9-32 (.281) against him. Jose Ramirez is 5-16 (.313) with three home runs and he's really the only true threat in this mediocre Guardians offense. So if Severino can work around him, I think we have a great shot to cash this NRFI play.

Bet: Yankees at Guardians NRFI (-160 via DraftKings)

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres

The Padres have shifted the momentum as they've won the last two games and have the Dodgers on the brink of elimination. They'll turn to Joe Musgrove tonight as they attempt to punch their ticket to the NLCS. As for Los Angeles, they'll go with Tyler Anderson in this divisional clash set for 9:37 p.m. ET.

Anderson stepped up in a huge way this year considering all of the issues that the Dodgers starting rotation ran into this season. The southpaw comes in at 15-5 with a 2.57 ERA (10th) and 1.00 WHIP (11th) over 28 starts and 30 total appearances. Most recently, Anderson pitched against the Rockies on the 2nd and lasted 5.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits. He struck out 10 and was saddled with the loss in the 4-1 affair.

Musgrove had a rollercoaster ride of a season but ultimately finished with great numbers. The right-hander went 10-7 with a 2.93 ERA (16th) and 1.08 WHIP (18th) over 30 starts. Musgrove last pitched in game three against the Mets on Sunday and he was untouchable. The 29-year-old threw just 86 pitches over 7.0 innings and allowed just one hit and a walk while collecting the win.

Similar to the game above, these starters have each been excellent recently. Musgrove hasn't allowed a run over his last three starts (18.0 IP) and has given up just one over his last five (29.0 IP). One of those outings was a 5.0-inning performance against the Dodgers in which he held them scoreless on four hits and four walks. Anderson also pitched in that series and posted a quality start. He went 6.0 innings and gave up two earned runs on three hits. With the series on the line, I'm expecting these starters to bring their best stuff and at least keep a clean first inning. Let's roll with NRFI in San Diego tonight.

Bet: Dodgers at Padres NRFI (-155 via DraftKings)

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