We've got our NRFI picks today for the lone MLB playoff contest. It's Game 2 of the ALCS between the Guardians and Yankees tonight. Game 1 ended in a narrow NRFI, so we'll revisit our matchup to make a pick on this game today.
See all our NRFI picks below for today's slate of postseason baseball.
NRFI Pick Today: Guardians vs Yankees (-125)
Guardians vs Yankees Odds -- Game Time 7:38 p.m. ET
The Guardians and Yanks have been NRFI-dominant clubs throughout the playoffs. After yesterday's NRFI, Cleveland is now 4-2 NRFI, while New York is 5-1 NRFI. Oddly, the Bronx Bombers have gone quiet in the first inning, but this is playoff baseball, and it's much harder to score. Add Aaron Judge's struggles, and you have a much quieter top of the order.
Gerrit Cole's presence on the mound soothes my anxiety about this risky bet. The right-hander has pitched well this postseason (12 IP, 3.00 ERA), building off a shaky first start for a 7-IP, one-run game in his second outing vs Kansas City. Carlos Rodon came out very strong in Game 1, and I'll expect Cole to do the same. Count on a few strikeouts and a one-two-three inning.
Guardians starter Tanner Bibee is why we have just -125 odds on this bet. The sportsbooks are scared of the big bad Yankees — even though they are 4-1 NRFI, as I pointed out — and their intense splits vs Bibee. Active Yanks hitters are 6-for-17 vs Bibee with a 1.038 OPS. This is still a small sample size, and notably, Bibee has yielded just one home run to Anthony Volpe, who has been ice-cold in the playoffs.
Bibee won't be afraid of Judge or Juan Soto, so I'll happily sweat out this NRFI at the current odds.
