My NRFI picks for today feature a surefire NRFI pick on the Pirates vs Cardinals, where two pitchers are ready to cook. After that, it's a YRFI play in the Rockies-D-backs game.
See our MLB NRFI picks today!
NRFI Pick Today: Pirates vs Cardinals (-140)
Pirates vs Cardinals Odds -- Game Time 7:45 p.m. ET
It's Skenes day, so let's rejoice in a NRFI! While Skenes' 15-5 NRFI record isn't super decisive, he's riding a two-game NRFI streak with the Cardinals up next. And, kids, the Cardinals stink on offense. St. Louis owns a .229 batting average in the first inning, and the club just rattled off three consecutive NRFIs in Toronto during a sweep. Skenes' 2.25 ERA in the first inning insulates him from any danger, as does his .675 opponent OPS, so I'm quite confident in this wager.
As for Andre Pallante (13-4 NRFI), the Cardinals starter should be in good shape against a sad Bucs offense. Pittsburgh is the third-worst club in baseball via first-inning batting average, batting .216 with an ugly .281 OBP.
YRFI Pick Today: D-backs vs Rockies (-140)
D-backs vs Rockies Odds -- Game Time 8:40 p.m. ET
Sometimes, the most obvious play is the best one, and I'm thrilled we get this matchup with Merrill Kelly on the hill. The D-backs righty has not been all that good this year, and his 6-4 NRFI record indicates some struggles in the first inning. Opponents hit for a 1.024 OPS off Kelly in the first, raising his first-inning ERA to 6.30.
The Rox, a reliable YRFI team at 81-69, will start journeyman Antonio Senzatela, who owns a lifetime 5.76 ERA in the first inning. He's less of a problem; the D-backs are the real reason why we love this YRFI bet. Arizona has crushed baseballs in the first inning for a while. The Snakes own a 1.080 OPS in the first inning over the last two weeks.
So, with Kelly on the hill and the D-backs at the top of their game, we can confidently place this wager, even at steeper odds.
