Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (9/10)
All 30 teams are set to take the field on this stacked Saturday in sports, starting with the Rays and Yankees squaring off in the Bronx at 1:05 p.m. ET. A couple of other notable matchups on today’s 15-game slate include the Guardians and Twins battling it out for A.L. Central superiority while the Braves and Mariners go toe-to-toe in Seattle.
Below I’ve listed my top three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets for today’s MLB action.
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
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Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees
The Rays took game one of their three-game series with the Bombers last night thanks to a 4-2 victory. New York’s divisional lead is now just 3.5 games over Tampa Bay and 5.0 over Toronto. Today’s game is set for 1:05 p.m. ET with a pitching matchup featuring Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon.
Kluber has been a very serviceable option for the Rays this year, coming into today’s game at 10-7 with a 4.00 ERA (39th) and 1.12 WHIP (23rd) over 26 starts. The right-hander is coming off of a dominant outing against these very same Yankees this past Saturday. Kluber held New York scoreless over 7.0 innings, allowing just two hits while striking out four batters in a winning effort.
Taillon has very similar numbers to Kluber, entering this matchup at 12-4 with a 3.95 ERA (37th) and 1.14 WHIP (27th) over 27 starts this year. Most recently, the righty took on the Twins and held them to a pair of earned runs on six hits and two walks over 5.0 innings. It was a no-decision for Taillon, but the Yankees prevailed and have now won his last three starts.
Kluber has been the Yankees’ kryptonite this season, making four starts against them and posting a 1.08 ERA and 0.60 WHIP while they’re hitting just .149 against him. He has posted four straight quality starts, and with a game of this magnitude, I think he’ll bring his best stuff again. As for Taillon, his one outing against the Rays this year was brilliant. He blanked Tampa Bay over 8.0 innings and allowed just two hits in a winning effort. The head-to-head stats line up nicely here, so I’m locking in NRFI in the Bronx today.
Bet: Rays at Yankees NRFI (-125 via DraftKings)
Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros
Houston won last night’s series opener in comeback fashion thanks to a three-RBI night from Chas McCormick. They’ll look to keep it rolling tonight as they turn to Jose Urquidy to handle the starting pitching responsibilities. The Halos counter with Shohei Ohtani in this divisional clash set for 7:15 p.m. ET from Minute Maid Park.
Ohtani is having a fantastic season both in the batter’s box and on the mound. There’s a huge social media debate on whether he (+500) or Aaron Judge (-1100) will win the A.L. MVP. But apparently, the oddsmakers have their mind made up as Judge is -1100. As for Ohtani, he comes into this one at 11-8 with a 2.58 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 23 starts. The right-hander just pitched against the Astros on Saturday and limited them to one earned run on six hits over 8.0 innings of work. Ohtani took a no-decision in the 2-1 extra innings victory.
Urquidy pitched the following day of the series and was equally as effective. The right-hander tossed 7.0 innings of scoreless baseball and allowed just four hits and a walk. He picked up the win and moved to 13-5 with a 3.51 ERA (31st) and 1.12 WHIP (24th).
Both of these starters are in great form and coming off of impressive outings against each other’s teams. As for Urquidy, it’s worth noting that his numbers get even better at home. He owns a 3.06 ERA at Minute Maid, and opponents are hitting just .217 against him there. On the flip side, the Astros’ offense has struggled greatly over the last 15 days. In that timeframe, they rank 27th in both team batting average (.215) and OPS (.616). Shohei should be able to escape the first frame without any damage and turn in another great start. Let’s ride with NRFI in this A.L. West matchup.
Bet: Angels at Astros NRFI (-145 via DraftKings)
Cleveland Guardians vs. Minnesota Twins
The Guardians picked up a 7-6 win last night and extended their A.L. Central lead to 2.5 games over the Twins. However, the White Sox are still on Cleveland’s tail, sitting 1.5 games back in the standings. Cleveland will turn to Triston McKenzie tonight while Minnesota goes with Chris Archer in this game set for 7:15 p.m. ET.
McKenzie has really developed into a reliable arm for Cleveland, and I’d probably consider him the second-best starter in their rotation (Bieber). The right-hander sits at just 9-11 over 26 outings (25 starts), but he’s posted a 3.18 ERA (21st) and 0.97 WHIP (5th) this year. Most recently, McKenzie pitched against the Royals on Monday and held them to three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. It was a no-decision for him, but the Guardians won 6-5 in extra innings.
Archer comes into tonight’s game at 2-7 with a 4.47 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 24 starts. The righty is coming off of a decent outing against the Yankees, holding them to two earned runs on four hits and a walk over 5.0 innings. Minnesota dropped that game 5-2, and the Twins are now 1-9 over Archer’s last 10 starts.
Sticking with Archer, he’s made one start against Cleveland this season and gave up one earned run on one hit over 4.0 innings. The Guardians have only gone 8-33 (.242) against him in his career, and it’s worth noting that Jose Ramirez has six of those hits. If Archer can limit Jo-Ram early on, I think we’ll be safe in this one. As for McKenzie, we’re going to rely on his great form recently. He’s posted four quality starts in his last six outings. Let’s roll with NRFI in the Twin Cities tonight.
Bet: Guardians at Twins NRFI (-135 via DraftKings)
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