As we move into the heart of the MLB season, let my NRFI picks get your Tuesday started on the right note.
I'm locking in a NRFI for the Padres vs. Cubs in the afternoon, followed by another solid NRFI pick for the Blue Jays vs. Mets in the evening.
NRFI Pick Today: Padres vs Cubs (-120 at Sportsbook
)
Padres vs Cubs Odds - Game Time: 2:20 p.m. ET
Imanaga has been lights out to start the season, with a perfect 2-0 NRFI record. His first-inning dominance isn’t new. He owns a 2.32 ERA in the first inning over his MLB career, with opponents scraping together just a .457 OPS in the opening frame.
Randy Vasquez tossed a shutout in his first start of 2025 and will be helped by a Cubs offense that has been inconsistent early on. Pair that with Imanaga’s command, and this feels like a solid NRFI pick at Wrigley Field.
NRFI Pick Today: Blue Jays vs Mets (-110 at Sportsbook)
Blue Jays vs Mets Odds - Game Time: 3:10 p.m. ET
Kevin Gausman has been his usual reliable self, posting a 3.00 ERA early on. What helps this NRFI pick is the fact that the Blue Jays’ lineup hasn’t exactly been thriving right out of the gate—Toronto is hitting just .217 in the first inning this year.
Tylor Megill, meanwhile, has looked sharp with a 1.80 ERA, and the Mets’ offense hasn’t been explosive early either. If Gausman shuts down New York in the first, this NRFI is looking pretty safe.
