Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (9/15)

Just an eight-game slate to work with in Major League Baseball, and the action gets underway at 1:10 p.m. ET from Cleveland as the Guardians host the White Sox for a brief one-game series. Other notable matchups include the Rays and Blue Jays wrapping up a five-game series in Ontario while the Mets look to bounce back against the Pirates after getting swept by the lowly Cubs. 

Below I've listed my top two No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets for today. 

Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

View the best player prop bets for tonight's slate with our MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet >>

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays 

Shane McClanahan makes his return from the IL this afternoon as the Rays try to snap their two-game skid. The Blue Jays counter with Kevin Gausman in this series finale set for 3:07 p.m. ET from Rogers Centre. 

McClanahan had Cy Young ambitions throughout the season, but he’s missed a few consecutive starts, and that has essentially dropped him out of the race. The southpaw still has incredible numbers, coming in at 11-5 with a 2.20 ERA (3rd) and 0.86 WHIP (2nd) over 24 starts. McClanahan last pitched on August 24th against the Angels and held them scoreless over 6.0 innings, allowing just four hits and a walk. 

Gausman has been excellent in his first year with Toronto. The right-hander comes in at 12-9 with a 3.31 ERA (25th) and 1.25 WHIP (37th) over 27 starts. Most recently, Gausman surrendered five earned runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.1 innings to the Rangers. Despite the rough outing, he picked up the win, and the Jays have won his last five starts. 

This game's all about the head-to-head numbers for me. McClanahan has faced the Blue Jays roster in 58 at-bats and given up 13 hits (.224). Being that there is playoff positioning at stake, I expect the ace to bring his best stuff in his first game back. As for Gausman, the Rays have gone 12-66 (.182) against him with just two extra-base hits (both doubles). This is a premier pitching matchup this afternoon, and I'll be rolling with NRFI here. 

Bet: Rays vs. Blue Jays NRFI (-155 via DraftKings)

Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros 

Houston's riding a four-game win streak as they open a four-game weekend series with the Athletics. They'll go with Lance McCullers Jr. while the A's counter with James Kaprielian in this divisional showdown set for 7:20 p.m. ET from Minute Maid Park. 

Kaprielian is having a tough season for Oakland as he enters tonight's game at 3-9 with a 4.79 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 22 starts. The right-hander is coming off of an outing against the Nationals where he gave up five runs over 5.2 innings; however, just two of them were earned. Kaprielian allowed seven hits and a walk while striking out three batters in the losing effort. 

McCullers has made five starts this season, and he's been great since returning from a forearm injury. The righty is 3-1 with a 2.20 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. He last pitched on Friday against the Angels and limited them to two earned runs on four hits and a walk over 7.0 innings. McCullers earned the win and has now won his last two starts. 

McCullers Jr. is in great form right now, and I think he'll be able to mow down the lowly A's offense tonight. Oakland ranks dead last in team batting average (.217) and 29th in OPS (.629). It's worth noting the 28-year-old hurler gets even better at home, where he owns a 1.00 ERA over three starts and opponents are hitting just .167 against him. Despite a rough season overall, Kaprielian has fared well against Houston. He's limited the 'Stros to 2-13 (.154) with one extra-base hit (a double). I'm going to take a shot here and say Kaprielian can repeat his success against the Astros. Let's ride with NRFI in this A.L. West clash.

Bet: Athletics at Astros NRFI (-115 via DraftKings)

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