Top 3 MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Odds for Thursday, August 18 (2022)
It’s a getaway day in Major League Baseball, which means we have action starting as early as 1:15 p.m. ET with the Rockies and Cardinals wrapping up a series. Some other notable matchups include the White Sox looking to take three out of four against the Astros, the Dodgers and Brewers finishing a four-game set and the Mets and Braves clashing in Atlanta.
Below I’ve listed my top three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) plays for today’s action.
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox
Chicago turns to Lucas Giolito to handle the starting pitching responsibilities this afternoon as they try for their second straight series win. The Astros counter with Luis Garcia in this A.L. showdown set for 2:10 p.m. ET from Guaranteed Rate Field.
Garcia is putting together a decent year for Houston and enters at 9-8 with a 4.03 ERA (43rd) and 1.13 WHIP (28th) over 21 starts. Most recently, the right-hander was tagged for four earned runs on eight hits and a pair of walks against the A’s. Garcia lasted 6.0 innings and struck out six batters while earning a win.
Giolito has struggled this year but seems to potentially be turning it around. The right-hander comes into the series finale at 9-6 with a 4.92 ERA and 1.49 WHIP over 21 starts. Giolito lasted 7.0 innings against the Tigers on Saturday and allowed four earned runs on eight hits and a walk. He picked up the win and won his third straight decision.
Giolito has been pitching a lot better recently, posting a 3.71 ERA over three starts in August. As for head-to-head numbers, he’s limited Houston to a .200 batting average over 85 at-bats. That includes 3-12 (.250) from Jose Altuve, 3-13 (.231) from Alex Bregman, and 5-17 (.294) from Yuli Gurriel. As for Garcia, Jose Abreu, Yoan Moncada, and Andrew Vaughn are a combined 3-9 (.333) against him with one hit apiece. It’s also worth noting that Garcia’s ERA drops to 3.07 when pitching away from Minute Maid Park. All things considered, I’m going to take a shot with NRFI on the Southside this afternoon.
Bet: Astros at White Sox NRFI (-115 via DraftKings)
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers
The Dodgers won yesterday’s game 2-1, which gave them a 2-1 lead in their four-game series with the Crew. They’ll look to close out the series with a win as they turn to Andrew Heaney in the finale. As for the Brewers, the rotation rolls over, and Corbin Burnes gets the nod in this matchup slated for 2:10 p.m. ET from Milwaukee.
Heaney has made just seven starts this season, but he’s been electric in those outings. The southpaw comes in at 1-0 with a 1.16 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 31.0 innings of work. Most recently, he went just 3.0 innings against the Royals on Saturday and gave up a pair of earned runs on three hits while striking out five.
Burnes continues to dominate this season as he tries to close the gap between him and Sandy Alcantara in the Cy Young race. The right-hander enters today’s game at 8-5 with a 2.39 ERA (6th) and 0.92 WHIP (4th). Burnes also ranks second in the league in strikeouts with 181. Most recently, he went 7.0 innings against the Cardinals and allowed just one earned run on four hits. Burnes took a no-decision in the 3-2 Brewers win.
Keeping with Burnes, he’s been tremendous recently. He’s allowed just two earned runs over his last two starts (13.0 IP). As for Heaney, he has faced Milwaukee in 25 at-bats and held them to just five hits (.200). Hunter Renfroe is 0-7 (.000), Willy Adames is 3-8 (.375), and Andrew McCutchen is 1-3 (.333). Both of these starters are in very good form, so I’ll ride with NRFI in this series finale.
Bet: Dodgers at Brewers NRFI (-145 via DraftKings)
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants
The Diamondbacks look to salvage a series split this afternoon as they send Zac Gallen to the bump. As for the Giants, they’ll turn to Logan Webb in this divisional clash scheduled for 3:45 p.m. ET from the Bay.
Gallen has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year. The right-hander sits at 8-2 entering today’s game with a 2.94 ERA (17th) and 0.99 WHIP (10th). Gallen has made two straight quality starts, and he hasn’t allowed a run over those two outings (14.0 IP). Most recently, it was a 7.0-inning scoreless effort against the Rockies on Saturday. Gallen allowed just a pair of hits and a walk while striking out six and picking up the win.
Webb has been very effective this season and continues to prove that he’s the ace of the Giants’ rotation. The right-hander comes in at 11-5 with a 3.00 ERA (20th) and 1.13 WHIP (29th) over 24 starts. Webb last pitched on Saturday against the Pirates and went 8.0 scoreless innings while allowing five hits and a pair of walks.
There really isn’t much to say about this one. Neither of these starters has allowed a run over their most recent starts and are completely vibing on the mound. Gallen has made a pair of starts against San Francisco this year, and he’s posted a 2.31 ERA over 11.2 innings of work. The Giants are hitting just .179 against him with one home run. As for Webb, the Snakes are hitting .250 against him over two starts this year. He owns a 2.92 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 12.1 innings against Arizona in 2022. Let’s go with NRFI in this matinee matchup.
Bet: Diamondbacks at Giants NRFI (-150 via DraftKings)
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