Game 3 of the World Series means one more NRFI pick for this epic series between the Dodgers and Yankees. This matchup has seen some timely scoring, but two consecutive NRFIs to start things off.
Let's see where I lean with an MLB NRFI pick for Game 3 of the World Series.
NRFI Pick Game 3: Yankees vs Dodgers (-105)
Yankees vs Dodgers Odds -- Game Time 8:00 p.m. ET
The sportsbooks suggest a YRFI outcome is slightly more likely (-125) in this contest, but I'm inclined to disagree, especially after Games 1 and 2 went for a NRFI. This series has been about late-inning action more than anything, and starting pitchers have had more success in the first inning than in earlier playoff series.
For all his regular-season goofiness, Walker Buehler has pitched well lately, dicing up the Mets in his last outing. He'll now attack a Yankees order that hasn't seen him much. Juan Soto has a sub.-700 OPS off Buehler, and Judge, for example, has zero at-bats off the righty. Advantage pitcher.
Clarke Schmidt has been alright this postseason (3.60 ERA), and, like Buehler, he has success against the Dodgers in a limited sample. That said, he has never faced Shohei Ohtani or Mookie Betts. It also remains to be seen what version of Ohtani we see in Game 3 after the superstar injured his shoulder sliding into second base in Game 2. If he's labored in any way, then a NRFI picks looks like even more of a bargain, especially at -105 odds.
I'm riding with the NRFI trend to continue in Game 3. Will you ride with me?
