It's a day that ends in Y, so we've got NRFI picks today.
Check out our NRFI bets, which start with an AL Central matchup between the Twins and Guardians. There's plenty at stake and a pitching duel could be in order. In the later window, I'm picking the Diamondbacks to rough up the Brewers in the first inning.
See our MLB NRFI picks today!
NRFI Pick Today: Twins vs Guardians (-115)
Twins vs Guardians Odds -- Game Time 1:10 p.m. ET
This AL Central battle has been fun to watch, and despite the pumping adrenaline of a postseason chase, I'll bet these two squads deliver a NRFI on Thursday's contest.
My logic begins with Joey Cantillo (4-2 NRFI) on the hill for the Guardians. He stunk until September 9, when his near-no hitter brought him some national attention. After that, he rattled off five scoreless innings, marking his third consecutive NRFI outcome. Cantillo looks like a potential playoff hero for Cleveland, and now he meets the Twins at the perfect time.
Minnesota is down badly and at risk of watching the Tigers take that final playoff spot the Twins fought all season to hold. Minny has endured some slow starts over the last two weeks, producing a .682 OPS in the first inning during that span. Luckily, the club has Simeon Woods Richardson (23-3 NRFI) on the mound.
SWR has been Minnesota's most reliable first-inning arm. The righty's 2.42 ERA in the first inning proves he begins each game with an air of confidence, though he may not need as much gusto, as Cleveland's offense owns a .657 OPS in the last seven days.
YRFI Pick Today: D-backs vs Brewers (-115)
D-Backs vs Brewers Odds -- Game Time 7:15 p.m. ET
It's nice to finally get the D-backs YRFI bet at a reasonable price. Arizona is the best first-inning offense in baseball, whether you run the full-season splits or the last seven days. The Snakes mash in the first inning, and they'll need a strong effort Thursday to break Brewers starter Tobias Myers.
Myers owns a 15-8 NRFI record, suggesting the rookie is a reliable NRFI bet. That's not the case. While Myers' 3.91 ERA is fine, opponents slug .506 off him in the first, leading to a .795 OPS. He's plenty vulnerable for a strong Diamondbacks offense.
And for Arizona, it's not like they have a hero on the mound. Brandon Pfaadt's 4.81 season ERA suggests he's breakable, though the righty reduces that number to 3.10 in the first inning. Fresh off a postseason clinch, the Brew Crew must use all of their .762 first-inning OPS over the last two weeks.
