Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Odds for Wednesday, August 24 (2022)
Yesterday, we went 0-2, but the good news is that we can only go up from here. We’ll also get a bit of an early start as it is getaway day across the majors. Let’s bounce back in a big way with my top NRFI plays of the slate.
San Diego Padres vs. Cleveland Guardians – 4:10 pm ET
The Guardians will be looking for a quick two-game sweep of the Padres in this contest, and the man in charge of shutting down San Diego will be Cal Quantrill. Quantrill has had a breakout campaign for the Guardians. He enters with a 3.77 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. However, he’s been even better in the first inning this season. Through 23 starts, Quantrill holds a 1.96 ERA and 0.78 WHIP. Those numbers are staggering, and they will be up against a Padres lineup that has disappointed. San Diego is just 21st in first-inning runs per game despite having Juan Soto and Manny Machado at the top of their order.
Blake Snell will get the call for the bottom of the first, and while he has not quite returned to Cy Young form, he’s been very good season. Just like Quantrill, his numbers in the first are tremendous. In 16 starts, Snell has a 2.25 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP, and a 39 percent strikeout rate in the first inning alone. That strikeout rate will come in handy as the Guardians boast the lowest strikeout rate in the majors. If Snell can settle down early, he should lock down this play.
Pick: NRFI -120
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Kansas City Royals – 8:10 pm ET
This matchup will showcase two of the best right-handers in all of baseball. Getting us started in the top of the first will be Brady Singer. The former Florida Gator has been the bright spot of the Royals rotation. He has quietly been spectacular in the first inning this season. Through 17 starts, he holds a 1.59 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. On top of his fantastic numbers, he also gets to face a team in the Diamondbacks that ranks 21st in first-inning runs per game on the road. So unless Christian Walker hits a solo homer, Singer should cruise early.
The bottom of the first will be in the hands of Zac Gallen. Gallen has been tremendous this season. He enters with a 9-2 record, a 2.78 ERA, and 0.96 WHIP. It should be no surprise that his excellence starts in the first inning. Through 23 starts, he has a 1.57 ERA and a 0.74 WHIP in the first inning this season. Just like his counterpart, he has a good matchup. The Royals enter tonight ranked 24th in first-inning runs per game, and they have the sixth highest team strikeout rate since the All-Star break. So look for Gallen to be dominant in this outing.
Pick: NRFI -145
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