The NRFI picks train is back, starting with MLB picks on a NRFI in the Guardians vs Phillies game and a NRFI bet in the Mariners and White Sox game.
Here are our NRFI picks for today:
NRFI Pick Today: Guardians vs Phillies (-115)
Cleveland vs Philadelphia Odds - Game Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Two top-tier NRFI starters make this game a quick-and-easy NRFI bet. Ben Lively (16-1 NRFI) has been a pleasant surprise for Cleveland this year, while Cristopher Sanchez (15-4 NRFI) made his first All-Star appearance with Philly this year. These guys haven't coughed up a run in a minute, too. Sanchez is on a 10-game NRFI streak, while Lively rides a 12-game heater.
Lively has allowed just one first-inning run and six hits in 17 starts, a remarkable feat. I'd say he's a set-it-and-forget-it NRFI bet, but we'll be sweating when Trea Turner comes to the dish. The Phils shortstop is 2-for-4 lifetime vs Lively with a homer, so the right-hander needs to lock in for that at-bat.
I'm less concerned with Sanchez, who can confidently traverse the Guardians lineup, as opponents slash just .233/.243/.315 in the first inning against him.
NRFI Pick Today: Mariners vs White Sox (-125)
Seattle vs Chicago - Game Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
I wrote about this game in today's MLB expert picks because the pitching matchup lends itself so well to UNDERs and... yes, NRFI bets.
The Mariners (65-39 NRFI) and Sox (65-40 NRFI) rank third and fourth respectively among the best NRFI clubs in baseball, and that's made better by some shutdown pitching. George Kirby is clean and pristine in the first inning, sporting an 18-3 NRFI record. Rookie starter Drew Thorpe is on a similar level, rocking a 6-1 NRFI record through his first seven career starts with Chicago.
Not only are these guys untouchable in the first inning of late, but they'll also benefit by facing two of the worst offenses in baseball. The M's (.660 OPS, 28th) and White Sox (.620 OPS, 30th) can't hit a lick, making the NRFI bet the best play, even with a bit more chalk than usual.
