There are only two games in action, but we're still hitting our NRFI picks today, starting with the Guardians and Tigers. It's a battle of weak offense in that series, and then we have another NRFI in Yankees-Royals, where New York's star players have been quiet.
See all our NRFI picks below for today's slate of postseason baseball.
NRFI Pick Today: Guardians vs Tigers (-148)
Guardians vs Tigers -- Game Time 6:08 p.m. ET
You'll see my analysis in a minute on the Yankees-Royals game, and, brother, if we are starved for offense in that series, then Guardians-Tigers is a full-on famine. There has been very little scoring all series, especially when the Tigers roll with a bullpen day. Well, that's what we've got Thursday, as Detroit looks to reach its first ALCS since 2013.
While the Tigers have decent numbers against Guardians starter Tanner Bibee (.862 OPS), he shut them out in Game 1 of this series, spinning 4.2 scoreless frames with six strikeouts. I'm expecting another solid outing from Bibee, as long as he pitches Kerry Carpenter carefully. Carpenter had that big home run in Game 2 and is 3-for-6 vs Bibee with a home run.
I've been disappointed by Cleveland's offense this postseason. Steven Kwan has five hits, but other key contributors have struggled. Jose Ramirez is just 1-for-9 and Andres Gimenez is 1-for-10. The Guardians likely won't score in the first frame, and Bibee should handle the Tigers for our NRFI.
NRFI Pick Today: Yankees vs Royals (-128)
Yankees vs Royals Odds -- Game Time 8:08 p.m. ET
This series continues to feature minimal offense, with the top of the Yankees' order noticeably absent in big spots. Last night, Giancarlo Stanton delivered the deciding homer, but other than that, it's been crickets from the top of the Yankees order. And that's one of the reasons why I like a NRFI in this contest.
Aaron Judge is 1-for-11 and Juan Soto is 3-for-10. Now the Yanks face Michael Wacha, a guy who has dominated them in years past. Active Yankees hitters own an awful .155/.241/.268 slash line vs Wacha in 97 at-bats. Judge himself is a whopping 1-for-20 vs Wacha! You can bet he'll have another brutal game. Of note, Gleyber Torres is also 2-for-17.
Thankfully for our NRFI bet, Gerrit Cole also dominates the Royals. The Yankees righty has delivered three consecutive NRFIs and will now face a KC lineup that has a lousy .603 OPS against him in 165 at-bats. Salvador Perez, for example, is 2-for-18 vs Cole.
