The MLB season chugs along, and so do my NRFI picks. Today, I'm looking at the best NRFI teams in baseball for one of my picks. The A's are 4-0 NRFI and the Cubs are 5-1 NRFI.
With a big enough sample size, I'm ready to commit to my NRFI picks.
NRFI Pick Today: Tigers vs Mariners (-130 at Sportsbook)
Tigers vs Mariners Odds - Game Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
Seattle currently leads the way with a 4-0 NRFI record, once again using its ace pitching staff to shut clubs out in the first inning. The problem for the M's? Their offense isn't very sharp, leading to a stronger NRFI likelihood.
All things considered, Seattle is middle of the pack with a .584 first-inning OPS. But we all know that is a weak total, so I like Detroit's chances of shutting the Mariners out in the first frame. Mariners starter Emerson Hancock was 9-3 NRFI last year and held opposing offenses to a .631 OPS in the first.
For the Tigers, rookie Jackson Jobe makes his first big-league start after two relief appearances last season. He was respectable in spring training, working a 3.86 ERA in 16.1 IPs with 13 Ks. I may sweat a bead or two when Jobe is on the hill, but his raw talent should carry us all the way through for a successful bet.
NRFI Pick Today: Cubs vs A's (-120 at Sportsbook )
Cubs vs A's Odds - Game Time: 10:05 p.m. ET
The A's, tied with the Mariners, lead MLB with a 4-0 NRFI record, all coming on the road. Now, they return home to Sacramento for their first-ever game at this minor-league park, which will be their home through 2027.
You might expect a minor-league park to encourage home runs and high-scoring games. That could eventually be the case, but this current A's lineup has struggled offensively, especially early in games.
A's hitters are 0-for-13 with two walks in the first inning this season, producing a .133 OPS, the worst in baseball. The Cubs aren't much better, with a .383 team OPS on a 2-for-21 line in the first inning.
Considering the weak offenses, I have some faith in today's starters. Joey Estes showed improvement last year, finishing with a 16-8 NRFI record. Cubs starter Ben Brown went 6-2 NRFI a season ago.
