Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Odds for Saturday, June 18th (2022)

We're scheduled for a 16-game Saturday in Major League Baseball with action getting underway at 2:20 p.m. ET from Chicago. The Braves look to get back in the win column against the Cubs after having their 14-game win streak snapped by the Northsiders yesterday. Other notable matchups include the Yankees taking on the Blue Jays, the White Sox squaring off against the Astros, and the Guardians looking for their second straight win against the Dodgers. 

Below I've listed three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) wagers that I'll be locking in for today's slate: 

Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook

New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays

You'd like to say this is a pivotal series in the A.L. East, but the Yankees have such a stranglehold on the division that it may not even matter at the end of the season. New York continues to play great baseball, improving to 9-1 in their last 10 games after last night's 12-3 routing of the Blue Jays. Toronto will look to narrow the 11.0-game deficit in the division as they send Alek Manaoh to the bump while the Bombers coutner with Jameson Taillion. First pitch is set for 3:07 p.m. ET from Rogers Centre in Ontario.

Taillon is putting together a nice year for New York as he enters with a 7-1 record over 12 starts. He boasts a 2.93 ERA (23rd) and his WHIP sits at 1.05 (18th) coming into tonight's game. The right-hander last pitched on Sunday against the Cubs and surrendered three earned runs on seven hits and a walk over 5.0 innings of work. 

Manoah has been masterful for the Jays this season and I think he's one of the best pitchers in baseball at this point. The right-hander is 8-1 on the season with a 1.67 ERA (3rd) and 0.91 WHIP (5th) over 12 starts. Manoah just shut down the Orioles over 6.0 innings, not allowing a run on one hit and a walk. 

While these are two of the top five (maybe even top three) offenses, I really like what these pitchers have done this year. Jameson Taillon has limited George Spring to 2-13, Matt Chapman to 1-10, Bo Bichette to 7-16, and Vladdy Jr. to 5-14 in the head-to-head category. While the latter two aren't ideal, he has been able to get both guys out more often than not. Manoah hasn't allowed a run over his last two starts (12.0 IP) and has been dominating this year. Aaron Judge is 1-11 and Anthony Rizzo is 2-8 against Manoah, so the right-hander has the advantage here. Honestly, this is about a coin flip as both of these rosters have guys who can hit a bomb in the 1st, but I'll take my chances with a clean first frame here. 

Bet: Yankees at Blue Jays NRFI (-115 via BetMGM) 

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cincinnati Reds

The Crew won the series opener last night at Great American Ball Park with a 5-4 final score. They'll look to keep it rolling as they send Jason Alexander to the mound. The Red Legs counter with Graham Ashcraft in this afternoon's matchup scheduled for a 4:10 p.m. ET first pitch.

Alexander will be making just the fourth start of his career this afternoon in Cincinnati. The right-hander is 0-0 on the year with a 2.16 ERA and 1.74 WHIP over 16.2 innings of work. Alexander last threw on Sunday against the Nationals and limited them to one earned run over 4.2 innings of work. He gave seven hits and three walks while striking out two.

Ashcraft is also in his rookie season and this will be the sixth start of his career. The righty enters tonight's game with a 3-0 record to go along with a 2.22 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. The team improved to 5-0 in his outings when he faced off against the Cardinals on Sunday. It was the worst start of his career as Ashcraft yielded four earned runs on nine hits over 4.2 innings in the no-decision effort. 

There are no head-to-head statistics for this matchup as these young pitchers have never squared off against the opposing team. I like NRFI here as the Brewers offense has really dropped off recently. Over the last 15 days, the Crew ranks 23rd in team batting average (.222) and just 25th in OPS (.636). That's likely been the reason for their 3-7 record over the last 10 games and the slide into second place. These starters have proven they're capable of being productive in the big leagues, so I'll go with NRFI at an even-money payout here.

Bet: Brewers at Reds NRFI (+100 via BetMGM) 

Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros

We'll finish off today's card in Texas as the White Sox look to even their weekend series with the Astros at one game apiece. Johnny Cueto gets the nod in game two while the 'Stros counter with Justin Verlander. This game gets underway at 4:10 p.m. ET from Minute Maid Park in Houston. 

Johnny Cueto has been serviceable for the White Sox since getting his opportunity in the starting rotation. The right-hander is just 0-3 on the year but he enters with a 3.53 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over six starts. Cueto pitched on Sunday against the Rangers and gave up three earned runs on six hits and a walk. 

Justin Verlander has been very impressive this season and is arguably the best pitcher in baseball. The veteran right-hander is 8-2 on the year 1.94 ERA (7th) and 0.81 WHIP (1st) over 12 starts. He recorded his third straight quality start last time out, holding the Marlins to no earned runs on three hits and a walk over 7.0 innings. Verlander recorded the win and the team moved to 9-2 in his starts this year.

I like rounding out today's card with NRFI in this A.L. matchup between the White Sox and Astros. Verlander has been outstanding this year and should be able to limit this banged up, underperforming Chicago lineup. On the flip side, Johnny Cueto has limited the Astros to 6-42 (.143) in his career, including 1-6 from Jose Altuve and 3-10 from Brantley. He hasn't allowed an extra base-hit against Houston's roster. 

Bet: White Sox at Astros NRFI (-120 via BetMGM)

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