BANG! We swept our no run first inning bets last night en route to a +311 parlay smash! Both bets were absolutely sweat-free, and we’re looking to repeat that with today’s NRFI bets.
For today’s best NRFI bets, we have Game 3’s for Astros-Twins and Orioles-Rangers. I’ve found a couple of yes/no run first inning picks I like for each game, culminating in a +304 parlay slip with the help of a DraftKings profit boost.
Make sure you follow me on Twitter for updates throughout the day and to get all the rest of my picks — we just swept our NFL picks for Monday Night Football last night, too. Sick humble brag, right?
Best YRFI & NRFI Bets Today: Yes & No Run First Inning Bets
Houston Astros vs. Minnesota Twins First Inning Bet
We had our sights set on the NRFI in Game 2, but Carlos Correa had other plans and ruined our no run first inning bet in the top of the first with a towering, majestic double off the wall. Weird, I’ve never called a double off the wall majestic before, but if you go back and watch the at-bat, it sure felt majestic.
Today, we get Sonny Gray on the mound against Houston. Gray is 29-4 on NRFIs this season, including cashing a no run first inning bet in the Wild Card round against the Blue Jays. Historically, Gray has been solid against Astros hitters, allowing only one home run and striking out 35 in 131 at-bats. That includes going 2-0 on NRFIs against them this season. I won’t lie, Yordan Alvarez getting hot AF is a tad scary, but Gray has better home splits, including a 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Even if he does allow a runner early, his ultimate weapon is that sinker, so he’s live to get a lot of double-play opportunities.
For the Astros, they’re sending out Cristian Javier, who is 23-8 on no run first innings this season. He hasn’t pitched since Oct. 1, when he was lights out against the Diamondbacks, throwing six shutout innings. There isn’t much to use in terms of historical numbers against the Twins, as it’s a very small, 15 at-bat sample size. However, in those 15 at-bats, Javier has given up exactly ZERO hits to Twins batters and notched six strikeouts. I’m no genius, but giving up no hits seems good. Obviously, the MLB Playoffs are a different beast, so we can’t expect him to just no-hit Minnesota today. Or can we? No, but seriously, we can’t. However, we can expect him to give us a clean bottom half of the inning to cash our NRFI.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Astros-Twins for -110 at DraftKings
Baltimore Orioles vs. Texas Rangers First Inning Bet
Doom could be on the horizon for the Orioles after dropping both games in Camden Yards. Yes, I know that’s not the actual name anymore, but this is my column and you can get off my lawn if you want to correct me.
One positive is that we saw this potent Baltimore offense come to life in Game 2, so that could be a sign of good things to come for the O’s. Opposing the Orioles today will be Nathan Eovaldi, who is 19-6 in NRFIs and riding a three-game streak. Should we be scared after watching him absolutely neuter the Rays in his last outing? Honestly? I don’t think so. In 104 career at-bats against Eovaldi, Orioles batters are hitting .260 with 11 extra-base hits (10 doubles, 1 homer). Eovaldi hasn’t pitched against Baltimore this year, and this offense is MUCH different than it has been previously. As the kids say, “it hits different.”
If we are refused fun in the top of the first, I think we’re in store for some in the bottom half. Friend of the YRFI Dean Kremer is toeing the slab for the Orioles today, and that goes into the category of “things you love to see.” Kremer is 19-13 on no run first innings this season and did get a NRFI against the Rangers earlier this season. In 57 at-bats against Kremer, Texas batters are hitting .298 and slugging .456, which includes three doubles and a pair of homers. Oh, speaking of homers — you see how smooth that transition was? — Kremer has given up 27 of them this year, and one thing we know about the Rangers is that they LOVE the home run ball. So much so they loved it 233 times in 2023 — third most in MLB. For -105 at Caesars Sportsbook, this feels like a steal.
Best YRFI Bet Today: Orioles-Rangers for -105 at Caesars Sportsbook
Tuesday’s YRFI/NRFI Parlay
Another day, another 25% profit boost over at DraftKings. Let’s make it back-t0-back parlay wins and cash in on this +304 Astros-Twins and Orioles-Rangers YRFI/NRFI parlay.
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