Top 3 MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Odds for Saturday, August 6th (2022)
It’s a stacked Saturday in sports, including a 17-game Major League Baseball slate. The extra pair of games is due to two doubleheaders with the Braves playing the Mets twice and the Angels and Mariners squaring off for two games. Let’s get right into my top three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets for today.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Los Angeles Angels vs. Seattle Mariners (Game One)
The Halos took game one of the series last night thanks to a sac-fly in the top of the 10th from Taylor Ward. Jimmy Herget slammed the door in the bottom of the frame to help Los Angeles move to 45-61 on the year. These two teams are back at it today for a twin bill as the Angels go with Jaime Barria in the early game. The Mariners counter with George Kirby with the first pitch set for 4:10 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Park.
Barria is set to make his 21st of the year this afternoon, but it will be his first start of 2022. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA, and 0.96 WHIP over 53.0 innings pitched. Barria’s last three relief outings were all scoreless efforts spanning 9.0 innings.
Kirby enters today’s contest at 2-3 with a 3.56 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 14 starts in 2022. Most recently, the right-hander squared off against the Astros and went 4.0 innings, allowing a pair of earned runs on three hits and a walk. He struck out seven in the no-decision effort.
Kirby threw against the Angles earlier this season, going 6.0 innings, and gave up just two runs. That included a scoreless first inning in the 4-1 loss. On the flip side, Barria hasn’t faced the M’s yet this season. However, the current roster is just 5-27 (.185) against him, with no home runs or triples. I don’t think the righty will work too deep into this game, so look for him to bring his best stuff early and keep a clean first inning.
Bet: NRFI (-125 via DraftKings)
Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets (Game Two)
Game two of the divisional doubleheader is set for 7:10 p.m. ET from the Big Apple with a pitching matchup between Max Fried and Max Scherzer. This is a huge day in the NL. East as New York holds just a 3.5-game advantage over Atlanta coming into today’s action.
Fried has been the best starting pitcher for the Braves this season. The southpaw enters at 10-3 with a 2.58 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 21 starts this year. Fried last pitched on Sunday against the Diamondbacks and threw 7.0 innings of scoreless baseball. He allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out five in the no-decision effort.
Scherzer has made six starts since returning from the IL in early July. The veteran right-hander is 7-2 on the year with a 2.13 ERA and 0.92 WHIP. He last toed the rubber on Monday against the Nationals and gave up three runs (two earned) over 6.2 innings of work. Washington recorded six hits and two walks in a game that Scherzer earned the win.
These two starters squared off on July 11th this year, and both held their opponents scoreless in the first inning. Fried has faced this Mets roster in 141 at-bats and allowed just 33 hits (.234) while the Braves are 38-169 (.225) against Scherzer. This is a massive game, and I expect Fried and Max to be flawless tonight. Let’s ride with NRFI in game two of the double header.
Bet: NRFI (-145 via DraftKings)
San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles won last night’s series opener 8-1, marking their sixth straight overall victory. They’ll look to keep the streak alive as they turn to Andrew Heaney to handle the starting pitching responsibilities. As for Bob Melvin, he’ll give Mike Clevinger the nod as the Friars look to get back into the win column. The first pitch is slated for 9:10 p.m. ET from Dodger Stadium.
Clevinger has been brilliant since returning to the Majors in early May. The right-hander is 3-3 with a 3.13 ERA, and 1.08 WHIP over 12 starts this year. Most recently, Clevinger threw against the Rockies and held them to one earned run on five hits over 7.0 innings. He recorded the win, and San Diego improved to 8-4 in his starts this season.
Heaney will make just his sixth start of the year tonight in Los Angeles. The left-hander is 1-0 with a 0.77 ERA, and 0.99 WHIP over 23.1 innings pitched. Heaney last pitched on Monday against the Giants and held them to one earned run on four hits and a pair of walks over 4.0 innings.
This NRFI play may be a little risky considering the star power at the top of each lineup. However, I like taking a shot at even money for this one to stay scoreless after one. Heaney has been very impressive in his limited role this season, and he’s only allowed one earned run over his two starts (8.0 IP). As for head-to-head numbers, the Padres are 16-59 (.271) against him. That included 0-1 (.000) from Juan Soto, 3-11 (.273) from Manny Machado and 5-16 (.313) from Jurickson Profar. On the flip side, I love how Clevinger has been pitching lately. The righty has allowed just four earned runs over his last three starts (20.0 IP). Let’s go with NRFI in this NL. West showdown.
Bet: NRFI (+100 via DraftKings)
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