We've got two NRFI picks today. My NRFI bets start in Tampa Bay, where the Blue Jays have cooled off on offense, setting us up nicely. After that, it's a NRFI bet on the Phillies and Mets, as David Peterson and his 0.47 ERA take the mound.
See our MLB NRFI picks today!
NRFI Pick Today: Blue Jays vs Rays (-115)
Blue Jays vs Rays Odds -- Game Time 6:50 p.m. ET
Formerly a fierce YRFI club, the Blue Jays bats softened as the season progressed, making them a more reliable YRFI squad. Toronto owns just a .558 team OPS in the first inning over the last two weeks. This is great for my bet.
And while Tyler Alexander (5-2 NRFI) is no god on the hill, he's a reliable NRFI pitcher, certainly capable of cooking the Blue Jays for three outs. The Rays starter owns a 2.45 ERA in the first inning of his starts this season, too. Alexander has also held the Jays to a .236 BA in 55 plate appearances.
Jose Berrios (24-6 NRFI) enters this matchup on a roll. The Blue Jays righty (and likely their ace next season) has delivered seven consecutive NRFI outings. In 2023, Berrios struggled in the first, but all those issues are way gone now. Jose owns a 2.70 ERA in the first inning this season, using his 30 starts to hold opponents below a .750 OPS. He's allowed just nine earned runs in the first inning all year, so I'll bet he escapes the frame safely on Friday.
NRFI Pick Today: Phillies vs Mets (-125)
Phillies vs Mets Odds -- Game Time 7:10 p.m. ET
There is a lot on the line in these late-season NL East contests, and still, runs are hard to come by. The Mets' measly first-inning offense has batted just .224 this year, lacking any serious punch or reason for me to bet anything but the NRFI.
The pitching matchup seals the deal for me in this contest. David Peterson, my man, is the GOAT of NRFI outcomes, rocking an 18-1 NRFI record this year. The soft-tossing starter owns a sparkling 0.47 ERA in the first inning this season, despite some weak stuff and a heater that rarely exceeds 91 mph. He's locked in, and I won't get in his way as he guns for his ninth consecutive NRFI.
Meanwhile, Cristopher Sanchez makes a great NRFI counterpart to Peterson. The Phillies lefty is 22-7 NRFI this year, yielding a minuscule 2.19 ERA in 29 outings.
With such pristine pitching, I'm very surprised the odds sit at just -125. Gobble that up, and you can even parlay it with our first NRFI of the day in Tampa Bay.
