Today will be one of the last days we’ll be able to fire up a no run first inning parlay bet, so you know we’re going to be hammering it tonight! I’ve got NRFI picks for the Rangers-Astros and Diamondback-Phillies games, so let’s jump into them.
Best YRFI & NRFI Bets Today: Yes & No Run First Inning Bets
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros First Inning Bet
I’m not quite sure how Justin Verlander and Jordan Montgomery wiggled their way in and out of trouble yesterday, but hey, crazy stuff happens. The Astros JUST MISSED two homers in the first inning from Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman. That first inning should’ve been a lot different.
Today, Houston sends Framber Valdez to the mound after his five-run outing against the Twins in the ALDS. Valdez is 25-6 on NRFIs this season but has allowed a run in the first in two consecutive starts. Against left-handed pitchers, the Rangers are top 12 in home runs, on-base percentage and slugging. In 187 career at-bats against Valdez, the Rangers are hitting .251 with four homers and 18 walks, highlighted by Marcus Semien’s .290 average and pair of dongs.
The Astros offense got blanked last night by the voodoo magic of Montgomery & Co. I know Nathan Eovaldi is a much better pitcher, but that ain’t happening again today. Eovaldi has been pretty nails in first innings this season, but we know the top of the Astros lineup can really handle fastballs. Eovaldi’s best pitch that he throws almost 40% of the time? Fastballs. Ding ding ding. Let’s roll! I’m not saying Altuve will hit a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first, but if he sees a first-pitch fastball he likes, he’s prone to hammer it. Let’s root for some fun.
Best YRFI Bet Today: Rangers-Astros for +106 at BetRivers
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Philadelphia Phillies First Inning Bet
We’re getting both team’s aces tonight, and I love this for a NRFI.
Zack Wheeler and his 26-6 no run first inning record gets us going here against the Diamondbacks offense. He’s already racked up 18 strikeouts in a pair of starts against the Marlins and Braves this postseason, so he’s sharp as a tack right now. In two starts against Arizona this season, Wheeler has cashed the NRFI twice. Even though this D-backs offense has been rolling this postseason, they haven’t faced anyone like Wheeler. I’m expecting a quick top half here.
Zac Gallen is riding a two-game NRFI streak this postseason and blanked the Brewers and Dodgers in his two NRFI opportunities. The Phillies offense has also been steamrolling pitchers, but it can be quieted a little bit. At least for one inning. Gallen did NRFI the Phillies earlier this season in a 5.2-inning outing against them. In 69 — niiiiice — career at-bats against the Phillies, he’s only allowed two home runs and notched 19 strikeouts. Vegas has this game with a 7.5 over/under, so they’re not expecting a ton of offense. Let’s just make sure all of the offense comes AFTER the first inning and cash this NRFI.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Diamondbacks-Phillies for -125 at bet365
Monday’s YRFI/NRFI Parlay Bet
DraftKings has given us another 25% profit boost today, and I can’t think of a better way to use it than on a parlay for one of the final two-game slates we’ll have. Combining the Rangers-Astros YRFI and Diamondbacks-Phillies NRFI gets us to +293 odds. Let’s cash this thing!
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