Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Athletics vs. Astros (9/17)
Let’s take a look at our top No Runs First Inning (NRFI) odds, picks, and predictions for Saturday’s slate: Athletics vs. Astros.
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
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Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros
The Astros won game two of their divisional series with the Athletics last night thanks to 5.0 hitless innings from Justin Verlander in his return from the IL. They also received three home runs from slugger Yordan Alaverez in the 5-0 victory. Houston will turn to Jose Urduidy tonight as they go for their seventh straight win while Oakland goes with Cole Irvin in this matchup set for 7:10 p.m. ET from Minute Maid Park.
Irvin has been a very dependable starter for Oakland this season and comes in at 8-11 with a 3.73 ERA (31st) and 1.10 WHIP (20th) over 26 starts. Most recently, the southpaw tossed 7.0 innings against the White Sox on Sunday and limited them to three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks. Irvin earned the win and Oakland has won three out of his last four starts.
Urquidy is coming off of his worst outing of the year in a game where he was tagged for six earned runs on 10 hits and a walk against the Angels. The right-hander went 5.0 innings and struck out four in the losing effort. But that’s just one small blip on a great overall season where he is 13-6 with a 3.75 ERA (32nd) and 1.16 WHIP (26th).
This will be a great spot for Urquidy to bounce back against a lowly offensive team like the A’s. After the dust settled last night, Oakland officially took over as the league’s worst offense as they are now dead last in both team batting average (.216) and OPS (.625). It’s also worth mentioning that Urquidy throws a touch better at home, dropping his ERA to 3.62 and opponents are hitting .236 against him at Minute Maid rather than .253 away from home. As for Irvin, he’s held his own against a tough Astros team this year. In five starts against Houston, he’s posted a 3.23 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 13 punchouts. The Astros are hitting just .222 against Irvin this year over 30.2 innings of work. Let’s take a shot with NRFI here.
Bet: Athletics at Astros NRFI (-125 via DraftKings)
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