We were sweating like stuck pigs through the first two batters last night, but Sonny Gray went GOD MODE after that to strike out the next three Pirates, and we somehow cashed that no run first inning bet. There are a few absolute powerhouse NRFI bets today, but the books have recognized those spots (White Sox-Mariners) and juiced them to the moon.
We’re all about value with our NRFI picks around here, and we’re never paying a -150 price on something where an idiotic pitch-clock violation or horrific error can be the demise of our bet. I’ve found a NRFI bet today that will save us 30 points of juice, and I feel pretty good about it. Let’s talk about it.
NRFI Bets Today: Best No Run First Inning Picks & Predictions
Chicago Cubs vs. Tampa Bay Rays | NRFI Bets Today
Now, by the time you’re reading this, it’s probably already 10 a.m. ET — or later. But what if I told you, you could’ve had my NRFI bet for Thursday like 4 hours earlier?
Our Discord members get all my betting picks delivered directly to them in our daily betting picks feed instantly as soon as I place them and can get the best possible value line.
If you want to come hang in Discord and get these picks earlier than everyone else, you can check it out here — and use code NATHAN for 20% OFF!
As for this Cubs-Rays game, though? We found ourselves a nice value line here with a -120 NRFI bet today. We have Taj Bradley and Justin Steele on the mound and a projected total of 7.5 runs.
I’m extremely encouraged by the last outing Bradley had against the Orioles, where he threw five innings of three-hit ball and struck out seven. But it’s not really the raw numbers that did it for me. It’s that he seemingly fixed a mechanical issue he had where he was likely tipping pitches.
Bradley has some electric swing-and-miss stuff and ranks in the top 12% of baseball in strikeout rate this season — he’s approaching a 30% clip.
And the Cubs? Well, against right-handed pitching, they’re striking out sixth most in baseball at a 24.2% rate and are right at league average in terms of wRC+.
The Rays are a team that struggles for power and will have to give you death by a thousand — or, in their case this season, maybe a million — papercuts.
They also are prone to the strikeout against southpaws, which, spoiler alert, Steele is. Now, Steele isn’t 1997 Randy Johnson, so we’re not expecting him to rack up a ton of strikeouts, but with Tampa’s propensity to swing and miss, we could see Steele have the ability to notch a few, which could be HUGE if he needs one in a big spot.
With the lower run total, the pitching matchup and a good park to help mitigate offense, we can really like this NRFI bet today — especially at -120 value on FanDuel.
Best NRFI Bets Today: Cubs-Rays NRFI (-120 at FanDuel)
