Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Odds for Thursday, June 23rd (2022)
Weâre slated for 10 games on this getaway day in Major League Baseball. Action gets underway at 12:10 p.m. ET from Miami as the Marlins look to complete a three-game sweep over the visiting Rockies. Other notable matchups include the Giants taking on the Braves, the Cardinals wrapping up a four-game set with the Brewers, and the Astros and Yankees opening up a four-game series in the Bronx.
Iâve narrowed in on these three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) wagers for todayâs 10-game schedule:
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics
The Mariners look to break out the brooms against the Athletics this afternoon as they send Robbie Ray to the bump. The Aâs will try to salvage a game in the series, and theyâll be relying on Frankie Montas to get them back in the win column. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:37 p.m. ET from Oakland Coliseum in this A.L. West showdown.
Ray may finally be putting it all together for the Mariners. The left-hander has only allowed one earned run over his last two starts (14.0 IP), and heâs struck out 14 batters over that span. Ray enters with a 6-6 record with a 4.25 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 14 starts in 2022. He recently limited the Angels to one earned run on three hits and a walk over 7.0 innings of work.
Montas continues to keep his trade value high as he enters with a 3.53 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 14 starts. The right-hander was touched up for three earned runs on 10 hits and three walks over 5.0 innings against the Royals last time.
This is the juiciest play (-162) on the NRFI board, and rightfully so. These are two of the bigger names in starting pitching, and theyâve been throwing relatively well this season. Ray gets to face literally the worst offense in baseball today as Oakland enters ranked dead last in both team batting average (.209) and OPS (.600). Look for him to carve up the Athletics this afternoon. As for Montas, heâll be squaring off against a bottom-third offense as well. The Mâs are 23rd in batting average (.235) and 19th in OPS (.703). Iâm expecting a clean first frame in this one.
Bet: Mariners at Athletics NRFI (-162 via FanDuel)
Baltimore Orioles vs. Chicago White Sox
The Oâs make the trip to Chicago, where theyâll open up a four-game set with the White Sox tonight. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET from Guaranteed Rate Field with a pitching matchup featuring Dean Kremer and Johnny Cueto.
Kremer has made three starts this season for the Orioles and enters with a 1-1 record over 15.1 innings pitched. The right-hander has posted a 2.35 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 10 punchouts. Most recently, the 26-year-old faced the Rays and held them scoreless over 6.0 innings. He allowed five hits and a walk while striking out five in the no-decision effort.
Cueto is certainly earning his keep in the White Sox rotation this season. The right-handed veteran enters with just a 1-3 record, but heâs posted a 2.95 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over seven starts this year. Most recently, he picked up a win over the Astros in an outing where he shut them down over 7.0 innings and allowed just two hits and two walks.
These starting pitchers are in great form right now. Cuetoâs coming off a scoreless outing against one of the best offenses in baseball in the Astros, so he shouldnât struggle against this lowly Oâs offense. As for Kremer, heâs only allowed one earned run over his last two starts (11.0 IP). While the Sox bats are starting to heat up, I think Kremer has the skill to corral them in the bottom of the 1st. Letâs ride with NRFI here.
Bet: Orioles at White Sox NRFI (-104 via FanDuel)
Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Diego Padres
The Fightinâ Phils gear up for a four-game series with the Padres starting tonight at Petco Park. N.L. Cy Young frontrunner Joe Musgrove gets the nod for the Friars while the Phillies counter with Ranger Suarez.
Suarez has been serviceable for the Phillies this season over 13 starts. The southpaw enters with a 5-4 record to go along with a 4.43 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 2022. Most recently, he earned a win against the Nationals, going 5.2 innings and allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks.
Musgrove has been a stud for the Padres this season. He enters with an 8-0 record, 1.59 ERA (2nd) and 0.92 WHIP (6th) over 12 starts. The right-hander has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball and is coming off of another dominant outing on Thursday night. Musgrove limited the Cubs to a pair of earned runs on five hits and a walk over 7.0 innings. He struck out a season-high nine batters in the winning effort.
We shouldnât worry about Musgrove in this one, as heâs been on fire this season. Heâs posted a 0.86 ERA over three starts this month and recorded 23 strikeouts over 21.0 innings of work. As for Suarez, heâs a toss-up in this spot, but heâs limited the Padres lineup to 3-16 in his career, and heâs only allowed one extra-base hit (a double). Eric Hosmer, Jake Cronenworth, and Manny Machado are a combined 1-6 against Suarez. Letâs ride with NRFI to round out our card tonight.
Bet: Phillies at Padres NRFI (-142 via FanDuel)
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