Everything that could go wrong went wrong for us last night. Jose Berrios gave up a first-inning homer to Jake Bauers, who was 2 for his last 36. Couple that with a goofy top of the first in Oakland with an error, and we got SMOKED on our NRFI bets. The betting gods didn’t want us winning too much after that 7-2 run and cashing two parlays in three days.
We’re wiping that 0-2 away and starting our Friday off right. There’s an early Rockies-Cubs game, and I gave out my pick for that game on Twitter — follow me on Twitter to get that pick!
For the main slate of Friday games, I have two picks, like usual, and I’m seeing one more I might add to the card later today. So keep an eye out on Twitter for updates and if I’m adding that bet.
Best YRFI & NRFI Bets Today: Yes & No Run First Inning Bets
First-inning bets are some of the most enjoyable sweats in the MLB betting business. If you want to start making money on your NRFI and YRFI picks, OddsShopper has you covered. Check out our guide to NRFI and YRFI betting and come back each day for the best NRFI and YRFI bets — we post daily NRFI and YRFI articles, and our MLB bet shopping pages integrate data from industry-leading betting model to find NRFI and YRFI picks with positive expected value (+EV) each day. If you’re hungry for more than just the picks we post for free, sign up for OddsShopper Premium today — new users can get their first month for 70% off.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Yankees First Inning Bet
I had to do a double-take when I saw the odds over for this bet over at BetMGM this morning. We’re getting +100 in this matchup, and you know I’m never going to pass up a line as valuable as this. Let’s break it down.
The human gas can known as Luke Weaver is on the mound for the Yankees. This fella has given up ***15*** YRFIs in 2023. I mean, do I even need to continue giving analysis? To say he’s been riding the struggle bus is an understatement. Weaver has given up 27 home runs this season, and the Diamondbacks are hitting .366 against him with seven doubles and one home run. Arizona is a top-10 first-inning offense, and I am absolutely in love with this matchup.
The D-backs are sending out Brandon Pfaadt, and no disrespect to him or his family, but I don’t even know how to pronounce bro’s last name. I’m sure he’s a great guy and all, but I’m not sure I’m totally sold on his 12-4 NRFI record this season, especially since he’s carrying a 5.86 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. The Yankees are a patient team and love to take a walk (top 10 in walks this year), so that WHIP could come into play tonight for Pfaadt.
Best YRFI Bet Today: Diamondbacks-Yankees for +100 at BetMGM Sportsbook
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals First Inning Bet
When targeting a YRFI, getting two top-8 first-inning offenses is a big benefit, and that’s what we get tonight in Braves-Nationals.
What’s not to love about the Atlanta offense with Ronald Acuna Jr, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley and Matt Olson as your top 4? That quartet is just a nightmare for pitchers, and it should be for Patrick Corbin tonight. The lefty has been OWNED by the Braves, giving up 73 hits in 221 at-bats, and 23 of those are for extra bases (12 doubles, 1 triple and 10 home runs). Atlanta merks every type of pitching but is even better against lefties this season (.288/.351/.524). I’m gonna ride the trend here with the Braves offense and look for it to get to Corbin quickly.
The Nationals are No. 7 in first-inning runs this season, thanks in large part to C.J. Abrams doing fast-guy things and stealing bases virtually every time he finds his way on base. Washington isn’t a team that will mash homers all the time, but it does have some doubles power. But what I really like is the speed atop the Nationals order with Abrams and Lane Thomas. Having those added avenues of creating offense is key. Think of it in terms of a poker player — you’re giving yourself additional outs.
Let’s rock this YRFI at -115 tonight.
Best YRFI Bet Today: Braves-Nationals for -115 at BetMGM Sportsbook
Friday’s YRFI/NRFI Parlay
After that awful Thursday night, DraftKings is giving us a gift from the heavens for our parlay. We’re smashing Diamondbacks-Yankees and Braves-Nationals YRFIs together with the 50% boost to juice this one all the way up to +356 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
