The no run first inning bets for Thursday, June 20, start early, but there’s really only one true winner in terms of the best NRFI bet today — and it comes in the mid-afternoon slate. It doesn’t feature a pair of pitchers that will make you feel warm and fuzzy, but at -115 value at Caesars Sportsbook, it’s too good of a NRFI spot to pass up.
NRFI Bets Today: Best No Run First Inning Picks & Predictions
Kansas City Royals vs. Oakland Athletics | NRFI Bets Today
I’ve called Royals starter Seth Lugo a scam at least 97 times this season, and for the record, I do believe he’s still scamming us. However, he’s facing the Oakland A’s today, and even HE can continue to run his scam against a team as scummy as the A’s.
As much as I love to hate on Lugo, I do have to give the guy his flowers. He’s 13-2 on NRFI bets this season, so he’s been dynamite in the first inning. By hook or by crook, he’s been getting it done.
And it’s not like the A’s team is all that scary.
Oakland ranks 27th in baseball in runs scored in the first inning this season, plating a run in just 18.42% of their first-inning opportunities.
The real sweat will be right out of the gate with the create-a-player pitcher Oakland is sending out — Mitch Spence.
Spence is a rookie who has made six starts and is only 4-2 on NRFIs. However, after starting out 0-2 on no run first inning chances, he has cashed his last four NRFIs.
Granted, that was against Tampa Bay, Seattle, Toronto and Minnesota, so not the toughest of tests. This Kansas City lineup will be a bit tougher, but he has shown decent form.
Not to mention, he is sporting a top-20% chase rate in baseball, so he’s getting guys to swing at pitches out of the zone, and he’s not walking all that many guys either. That’s a good combo when we’re trying to lock down a NRFI bet.
Like I said, at -115 value, we can’t pass this one up, especially with the total projected for just 7.5 runs and the Royals favored by just over a half run.
Best NRFI Bets Today: Royals-Athletics NRFI (-115 at Caesars Sportsbook)
