Top MLB No Runs First Inning Odds (NRFI) Pick & Odds for Tuesday, August 30 (2022)
Last night it was opposite day as Carlos Rodon gave up a three-run homer in the first, and Jose Suarez struck out the side. Nonetheless, we still wound up 1-1 on the evening, but that is all ancient history. Tonight I’ve found a pair of matchups with four starters all trending in the right direction. So let’s find out who they are and why we’re backing them to put up matching zeros tonight.
Top MLB No Runs First Inning Odds (NRFI) Pick & Odds for Tuesday, August 30
Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox 8:10 pm ET
Lucas Giolito’s numbers may not be too appetizing when you’re surfing the slate for NRFIs, but a deeper look shows promise. He’s due for significant positive regression as his xERA is over a full run lower than his season ERA at 4.13, and his FIP is even lower at 4.09. We saw the tide begin to turn for him in his last start as he allowed just one run in six innings of work against a red-hot Baltimore team. Tonight he’ll get to face a Royals lineup that not only ranks 20th in first-inning runs per game but has also been one of the worst offensive clubs in the second half. The Royals rank 22nd in wRC+ and wOBA while also holding the league’s seventh-highest strikeout rate. Look for Giolito’s resurgence to continue tonight.
The ball will be handed to Brady Singer in the bottom of the first, and he’s been nothing but spectacular for the last two months. Over his last ten starts, he has a 2.14 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He also already faced the White Sox twice this month, and the results varied. Singer allowed four runs on eleven hits in six innings on August third but then threw seven-plus innings of one-run ball on August ninth. We’ll take another strong outing from Singer, who likes to set the tone in the first inning. He has a 1.50 ERA in the first inning this season through 18 starts. He’ll also be helped by the White Sox lineup as they have gotten off to slow starts for most of the season and rank 23rd in first-inning runs per game.
Pick: NRFI-115
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks 9:40 pm ET
While the opening game of this series featured a pair of imploding lefties, this matchup will be quite the opposite. We will see an ace versus ace matchup, and Zac Gallen will toe the slab first. Gallen has been nothing short of excellent for the Diamondbacks this season as he enters with a 2.66 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. However, he’s been even better in the first inning this season as his ERA drops to 1.50, and his WHIP is 0.71 through 24 starts. The Phillies do pose a threat in the first inning as they rank 1oth in overall first-inning runs per game, but they actually drop to 20th in first-inning runs per game on the road. Therefore, Gallen should keep them quiet.
The other half of this pitcher duel will feature Aaron Nola, who has given us flashbacks of his Cy Young caliber campaign in 2018. Nola enters this outing off his best performance of the season as he threw a complete game shutout against the Reds, where he allowed just five hits and struck out 11. Now he’ll get to feast on another young lineup in Arizona who ranks just 24th in first-inning runs per game. Like his counterpart, Nola has been excellent in the first inning, holding a 1.80 ERA and 0.84 WHIP through 25 starts. Get this NRFI as soon as possible because the price will be juiced by first pitch.
Pick: NRFI -135
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