A glorious Saturday for baseball. Today we’re analyzing the latest hitting and pitching trends, considering ballpark information and utilizing the resources of OddsShopper to find the best No Run First Inning or Yes Run First Inning bets (NRFI/YRFI). Let’s dive into the best NRFI picks today on BetMGM for Saturday, May 20.
Best NFRI Bets Today | Best YRFI Bets Today
YRFI: Colorado Rockies at Texas Rangers
The matchup between the Colorado Rockies and the Texas Rangers presents an opportunity for a “Yes Run First Inning” (YRFI) bet. Both teams have factors that contribute to the likelihood of an early run being scored.
On the pitching side, the Rockies’ Kyle Freeland faces a challenging matchup. While the Rockies may make it easier for him, there is little to boast about in terms of his strikeout rate or accuracy when pitching to contact. Although he has been successful in limiting home runs, it doesn’t significantly work in his favor.
On the other hand, John Gray, the Rangers’ pitcher, is not particularly impressive. Gray’s performance raises doubts about his ability to keep the opposing team from scoring early in the game. It is unlikely that both Gray and Freeland will be able to go three up, three down, two times over in this game. Aggressive hitting and swinging can be expected from the Rockies, driven by the desperation to score runs.
Considering the weaknesses of both pitchers and the offensive potential of the Rockies, betting on a run being scored in the first inning is a reasonable choice in this matchup.
YRFI: Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies
The game between the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies also presents a favorable opportunity for a YRFI bet. The presence of Aaron Nola on the mound for the Phillies may seem like a deterrent, but there are factors that suggest an early run could be scored.
Nola has been relatively solid this year and has not been pitching to extreme contact. However, his strikeout rate has dipped, which raises concerns about his ability to get out of jams. From a player prop standpoint, Nola is likely to rack up some strikeouts due to the Phillies manager’s tendency to leave pitchers out there longer than necessary.
On the other side, the Cubs face a difficult task against a healthy and threatening lineup. The Phillies’ lineup has the potential to hit the ball well, especially with the weather conditions playing a role in the game. Although rain may affect the ball’s flight, it also means the ball will move, making it challenging for both pitchers, including Nola, to confidently hold off runs in the first inning.
With both pitchers having the potential to allow base runners, betting on a run being scored in the first inning is a reasonable choice for this game.
NRFI: Boston Red Sox at San Diego Padres
In the matchup between the Boston Red Sox and the San Diego Padres, a “No Run First Inning” (NRFI) bet is a strong option. Several factors contribute to the likelihood of a scoreless first inning.
Both teams have quality starting pitchers, and there is a level of confidence in their ability to navigate the first inning unscathed. With the Red Sox sending a strong lineup against the Padres, the potential for early runs is reduced. Additionally, the weather conditions in San Diego, which are partly sunny with rain, could make the ball move and impact hitters’ ability to score in the first inning.
Considering the strength of the starting pitchers, the lineup matchups, and the potential ball movement due to weather conditions, betting on no runs being scored in the first inning is a solid choice for this game.
