MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (9/21)
The MLB playoff race is heating up, and if you're looking to get in on the betting action, then you've come to the right place. I've sifted through the matchups, statistics, and trends from Sunday's 15-game slate, narrowing in on three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets from today's board. Here are my top NRFI bets today.
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Sunday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Chicago Cubs (-105) vs. Cincinnati Reds (-115) | 9.0 (-101/-121)
The Reds (79-76) are heating up, winning their last four games and climbing within 1.0 game of the final Wild Card spot. They'll turn to Andrew Abbott this afternoon as they attempt to complete the three-game sweep of the Cubs (88-67). Chicago counters with Jameson Taillon in this divisional clash, which gets underway at 1:40 p.m. ET from the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, OH.
I'm confident in playing the NRFI anytime that Andrew Abbott heads to the hill for Cincinnati. The southpaw has been lights out this year, going 9-7 with a 2.88 ERA (ninth) and a 1.15 WHIP (18th). Abbott has also been a thorn in the side of the Cubs throughout his career, limiting their current lineup to a slash line of just .209/.294/.396 against him over 91 at-bats.
As for Jameson Taillon, he has been serviceable this year with a 3.93 ERA. The veteran hurler has looked exceptional in his last four starts (21.1 IP), logging a 1.69 ERA. Taillon has held the opposition scoreless in the first inning in his last two outings, and he draws a matchup against a Reds team that's a pedestrian 18th in wOBA (.319) over the last seven days. I'm riding with the NRFI in Cincy this afternoon.
Pick: NRFI (-125)
Cleveland Guardians (-126) vs. Minnesota Twins (+104) | 8.5 (-105/-115)
The Guardians (84-71) are the hottest team in the Majors right now, riding a 10-game winning streak. They take on the Twins (66-89) this afternoon, and this divisional clash features a pitching matchup between Joey Cantillo and Simeon Woods Richardson. First pitch is set for 2:10 p.m. ET from Target Field in Minneapolis, MN.
Whether it's by design or due to the fact that they have an inept offense, Cleveland has cemented itself as a pitching-first organization. The Guardians are just 27th in scoring this year, averaging only 3.96 runs per game. This combination has made the NRFI prop a profitable venture in Cleveland games, as they boast the second-best mark in the Majors at 88-67 (57%).
Joey Cantillo should thrive in this spot on Sunday. The left-hander has held Minnesota's current lineup to a slash line of .214/.312/.286 over 28 at-bats. The Twins are just 20th in wOBA (.305) and 21st in ISO (.129) over the last week. As for Simeon Woods Richardson, he has limited Cleveland's roster to a slash line of .180/.268/.420 over 50 at-bats. The right-hander just threw 6.0 scoreless frames against the Yankees last time out, so he should be able to keep that going against a team that he has carved up in the past. I love the NRFI at this price of -115 in the Twin Cities this afternoon.
Pick: NRFI (-115)
Miami Marlins (+112) vs. Texas Rangers (-137) | 7.0 (-125/+103)
The Rangers (79-76) have dropped their last six games, which has in turn seen the 2023 champions slide 5.0 games out of the final Wild Card spot in the American League. They'll try to right the ship by sending Merrill Kelly to the bump today. The Marlins (75-80) counter with Eury Perez in this interleague showdown, which gets underway at 2:35 p.m. ET from Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.
The NRFI has cashed in each of the opening games of this series, and the prop is now 6-0 in Miami's last six games. Meanwhile, Texas is the best NRFI team in the Majors at 89-66 (57%). I expect Merrill Kelly (3.46 ERA) to turn in a clean first inning. The right-hander has dominated the Marlins in the past, limiting their current roster to a slash line of .194/.242/.290 over 31 at-bats.
The big issue with Texas right now-and all year, frankly-has been the offense. The Rangers are averaging only 3.2 runs per game during their six-game slide. Eury Perez isn't the ideal candidate to try and turn things around against. The right-hander is coming off of a 5.0-inning scoreless effort against the Rockies in his latest start. With two solid pitchers and a couple of underwhelming offenses, I don't mind laying the -150 vig on the NRFI in this matchup.
Pick: NRFI (-150)