Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Odds for Thursday, August 25th (2022)
18 teams are scheduled to take the field for today’s Major League Baseball docket, and the action gets underway early, considering it’s a getaway day. The first pitch of the day is set for 1:10 p.m. ET as the Rays look to complete a four-game sweep over the Angels. Other notable matchups include the Guardians and Mariners opening up a four-game set and the Astros looking to sweep the Twins out of Houston.
Below I’ve listed my top three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) wagers for today’s nine-game schedule.
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Los Angeles Angels vs. Tampa Bay Rays
The Halos will attempt to avoid the brooms this afternoon as they turn to Patrick Sandoval to handle the starting pitching responsibilities. The Rays counter with Drew Rasmussen in this series finale set for 1:10 p.m. ET from the Trop.
Sandoval has emerged as one of the more reliable pitchers on the Angels staff this season. The southpaw is just 4-8, but boasts a 3.14 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 20 starts. Sandoval’s coming off of a complete game shutout over the Tigers on Friday night. He went the full 9.0 innings and allowed just four hits while striking out nine batters.
Rasmussen comes into today’s contest at 8-4 with a 2.82 ERA, and 1.05 WHIP over 21 starts this year. Most recently, the right-hander surrendered two earned runs on two hits and a walk in 5.2 innings of work against the Royals. It was a winning effort for Rasmussen, and Tampa Bay moved to 15-6 in his starts this season.
27-year-old Rasmussen has been great recently, posting a 1.57 ERA and 0.52 WHIP over four starts this month. The current Angels roster is a combined 0-3 (0.00) against the righty, including 0-0 (.000) from Shohei Ohtani with a walk and David Fletcher, Luis Rengifo and Magneuris each going 0-1. On the flip side, the Rays are just 4-23 (.174) against Sandoval in his career. All things considered, I think this game remains scoreless after one.
Bet: Angels at Rays NRFI (-155 via DraftKings)
Cleveland Guardians vs. Seattle Mariners
Two playoff contenders open up a big four-game series out west this afternoon as the Guardians take on the Mariners. Cleveland opts for Triston McKenzie in the opener while Marco Gonzales gets the nod for Seattle. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Park.
McKenzie is coming off of one of the best outings of his career, striking out a career-high 14 batters in a winning effort over the White Sox. He went 7.0 innings and allowed just two earned runs on six hits. The dominant performance moved the right-hander to 9-9 on the year, where he owns a 3.11 ERA (24th) and 0.96 WHIP (6th).
Gonzales is also coming off of a win, his being a 5.1-inning effort against the Athletics on Friday. The left-hander gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits and a pair of walks and improved to 8-12 with the outing. His ERA sits at 4.08 (41st) coming into today’s matchup, and he has a 1.41 WHIP (48th).
Sticking with Gonzales, it’s worth noting that his ERA dips to 3.63 at home, and opponents are hitting just .257 against the southpaw. Furthermore, Cleveland is one of the worst teams in baseball against lefties. They rank 23rd in team batting average (.231) and 27th in OPS (.643). McKenzie is really developing into the pitcher that was advertised when he was coming up with Cleveland. The righty is in great form right now, owning a 2.60 ERA and 0.87 WHIP over four starts this month. Look for Gonzales to stifle this Guardians lineup and McKenzie to build off of his great outing against Chicago. Let’s go with NRFI in this west coast clash.
Bet: Guardians at Mariners NRFI (-125 via DraftKings)
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox
The Jays will turn to Kevin Gausman this evening as they go for the three-game sweep over the Red Sox. Boston will send Kutter Crawford to the bump as they try to win and stay alive in the playoff hunt. The first pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET from Fenway Park this evening.
Gausman has had an up-and-down season but ultimately comes in at 9-9 with a 2.99 ERA (19th) and 1.24 WHIP (41st) over 23 outings. The right-hander last pitched on Friday against the Yankees and shut them down. He held the Bombers scoreless over 7.0 innings and allowed just four hits and a walk in a winning effort.
Crawford hasn’t been reliable in his rookie campaign with the Red Sox. The right-hander is 3-5 with a 5.14 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 19 appearances (10 starts). Crawford was tagged for nine earned runs on 11 hits over 3.2 innings against the Orioles on Friday night. He was saddled with the loss in a 15-10 barnburner, and the Sox moved to 8-11 in his outings this year.
While Kutter Crawford was roughed up pretty badly last time out, I think this is a good spot for him to rebound as he returns to Fenway Park. The 26-year-old sees his ERA drop to 4.08 at home, and opponents are hitting just .205 against him at his home yard. Additionally, the Jays are just 5-20 (.250) against him, with the only extra base-hit being a double from Cavan Biggio. As for Gausman, he’s pitching to the tune of a 1.75 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over four starts this month. The right-hander also owns a 1.38 ERA against the Red Sox over 26.0 innings pitched this year. Let’s ride with NRFI in this A.L. East showdown.
Bet: Blue Jays at Red Sox NRFI (-105 via DraftKings)
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