The NRFI picks train is back, starting with MLB picks in the Rays-Jays game and a NRFI bet in the Padres and Nationals game.
Here are our NRFI picks for today:
NRFI Pick Today: Padres vs Nationals (-115)
San Diego vs Washington Odds - Game Time: 12:05 p.m. ET
Dylan Cease isn't a great NRFI pitcher (12-9 NRFI record). In fact, he's quite bad, sporting a 6.86 ERA in the first inning with seven homers allowed in 21 starts. It's not great, but do you know what's worse? The Nationals first-inning offense. Washington is the best NRFI club in the game with a 68-34 NRFI record and a .211 team batting average in the first.
Cease may suck early, but his personal success vs the Nats lineup (4-for-24 lifetime) will overrule any first-inning trepidations. From there, we need Patrick Corbin (17-3 NRFI) to keep cruising in the first inning. Padres hitters own a .785 OPS vs Corbin, which isn't devastating, so I believe in our lefty to close things out and bring the NRFI home.
NRFI Pick Today: Rays vs Blue Jays (-125)
Tampa Bay vs Toronto Odds - Game Time: 3:07 p.m. ET
We've seen two straight NRFIs to start this series, and with Taj Bradley (11-2 NRFI) and Chris Bassitt (16-4 NRFI) on the hill, we're in a good spot for another quiet first inning. Overall, both clubs are great NRFI plays, as the Jays are 62-49 NRFI and the Rays are 55-47 NRFI on the year.
Unless Vladimir Guerrero Jr. goes yard for the fourth time in the last six games, we'll be fine. The top of the Blue Jays order (batters one through four) has otherwise produced a .657 OPS over the last 14 days, setting the table for Bradley's ninth consecutive NRFI.
In his career, Chris Bassitt has navigated trouble with the Rays before, but he's rolling on three straight NRFIs. Neither the Jays or Rays are rocking on offense right now, and so it's best to fade their lineups early.
