Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Odds for Thursday, July 28th (2022)
It’s a getaway day in Major League Baseball, so we get afternoon action! A pair of games get underway at 12:35 p.m. ET, with the Marlins taking on the Reds and the Orioles hosting the Rays. Other notable matchups include the Guardians squaring off against the Red Sox, Mariners going toe-to-toe with the Astros, and the Cubs opening up a series against the Giants in the Bay.
Here are my top two No Runs First Inning (NRFI) wagers for today’s 10-game slate.
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros
The ‘Stros broke out the brooms in Seattle last week to start the second half of the season. The divisional foes are back at it for four games this weekend in Houston, with the first pitch set for 8:10 p.m. ET tonight. The pitching matchup should be good, with Logan Gilbert and Jose Urquidy squaring off.
Gilbert’s been a very reliable option for the M’s this season, posting a 10-4 record with a 2.77 ERA (14th) and 1.15 WHIP (30th) over 20 starts. He was charged with the loss in Saturday’s start against the Astros but allowed just two runs on five hits and a walk over 6.0 innings of work.
Urquidy pitched in Friday’s game against Seattle and improved to 9-4 in the winning effort. The right-hander lasted 6.0 innings and allowed just one earned run on four hits and a pair of walks. Urduidy comes into tonight’s game with a 3.93 ERA (45th) and 1.23 WHIP (42nd).
These starters had their best stuff when they took the mound last time, so I expect that to carry over for tonight’s action. Additionally, Urquidy sees his ERA drop to 2.63 when throwing at home, and opponents are hitting just .237 against him at Minute Maid Park. As for Gilbert, he’s made three starts against Houston this year and posted three quality starts. His ERA is 2.37 against the Astros, and they’re hitting just .232 against him on the year. Let’s ride with NRFI in this divisional showdown.
Bet: Mariners at Astros NRFI (-120 via DraftKings)
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies
The Dodgers open up a four-game set tonight in Denver against the Rockies, with game one underway at 8:40 p.m. ET. The pitching matchup features Tyler Anderson for Los Angeles and Jose Urena for Colorado.
Anderson has stepped up significantly, considering the injuries to the pitching staff. The southpaw comes in at 10-1 with a 2.79 ERA (16th) and 1.02 WHIP (15th) over 18 starts. Most recently, he took a no-decision against the Giants, although he went 6.0 scoreless innings and gave up just four hits and two walks.
Urena was signed by the Rockies in early July after four outings with the Brewers to start the year. The right-hander is 1-2 with a 3.13 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in eight total appearances spanning 31.2 innings. Urena got tagged for six runs (five earned) against his former team on Saturday and took the loss. He allowed six hits and two walks while striking out five.
Despite the rough outing against the Crew on Saturday, Urena has posted a 3.00 ERA in four starts with the Rockies. One of those starts was a 6.2-inning outing against Los Angeles, where he surrendered just one earned run on five hits and three walks. The Dodgers are 23-86 (.267) against Urena, with Trea Turner going 0-18 (.000), Mookie Betts at 1-5 (.200), and Freddie Freeman at 14-34 (.412). On the flip side, the Rockies are 28-86 (.326) against Anderson. While the team average is high, it’s worth noting Charlie Blackmon is 1-7 (.143), and Kris Bryant and C.J. Cron are a combined 11-30 (.367). The stats aren’t perfect in this matchup, but I think it’s worth a shot with the pretty sizable plus-money payout. Let’s take a shot with NRFI in Denver tonight.
Bet: Dodgers at Rockies NRFI (+145 via DraftKings)
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