The NRFI picks train is back, starting with MLB picks in the Brewers vs Cubs game (an easy NRFI) and a rare YRFI bet in the White Sox and Rangers game.
Here are our NRFI picks for today:
NRFI Pick Today: Brewers vs Cubs (-135)
Brewers vs Cubs Odds - Game Time: 2:20 p.m. ET
We don't know who will be Milwaukee's starting pitcher in this contest, but, frankly, it doesn't matter. Cubs starter Justin Steele (14-1 NRFI) will carry the load. The left-hander is among baseball's most impeccable first-inning pitchers. He's allowed just two runs in 15 starts, good for a 1.20 ERA. Opponents slash just .140/.204/.404 against Steele. He'll have no problem blanking the Brewers in this contest.
So now to the other side. We don't know the Crew's starter, but we do know the Cubs stink at scoring early runs. Chicago is 66-37 NRFI this year, the second-best NRFI score in baseball. The Cubbies can't start anything on offense, and the Brewers aren't much better either, rocking a 32-23 NRFI record on the road this year.
YRFI Pick Today: White Sox vs Rangers (-115)
Chicago vs Texas Odds - Game Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
Let me tell you a tall tale about Mr. Chris Flexen. This guy returned from the KBO in 2021 with some pep in his step, working two good years as a starter with the Mariners. He owns a 6.04 ERA since the start of 2023, and now, cemented in the White Sox rotation, Flexen owns the title as the least profitable pitcher in baseball. If you had bet $100 on each of Flexen's starts, you'd be down $1,315. Yikes.
Naturally, Flexen (6-13 YRFI) takes some abuse in the first inning, repping a 6.75 ERA. Nate Eovaldi (5-12 YRFI) isn't great in the first either, sporting a 4.74 ERA alongside 17 hits allowed in 17 starts.
Texas isn't a crazy powerhouse in the first inning (.381 SLG), but the club ranks highly with a .333 OBP, meaning there will be traffic in the first vs Flexen for the meat of the Rangers order.
