Wake up MLB bettors, we've got Y/NRFI picks to hit. Instant MLB action is the way to go these days, so follow my best bets and trends ahead of a good day for baseball.
Here are my two Y/NRFI picks for Wednesday, June 26:
Pick 1: Braves vs cardinals (Game 2): yes run First inning (-115)
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 7:15 pm ET
I've glossed over the first game of this Braves-Cards doubleheader because the second game offers far more play for a YRFI bet.
Firstly, we must establish how great these offenses have been in the first inning lately. In the last 30 days, the Braves and Cardinals rank second and fifth, respectively, in first-inning slugging. Atlanta owns a 132 wRC+ during that span, while the Cardinals rock a 120 wRC+. Both these offenses have been above average.
And then we have the pitching matchups. Chris Sale is 6-8 NRFI this year, mostly due to offensive support, but the lefty also allows a 4.50 ERA and an .826 opponent OPS in the first inning.
And, if you seek some YRFI culprits, Nolan Gorman is your dude. The Cardinals infielder owns a 1.768 OPS in his last nine first-inning at-bats. He's 5-for-9 with two homers, making him a prime prop bet OVER for this contest.
Pick 2: Pirates vs Reds: No Run First Inning (+105)
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 1:10 pm ET
In this situation, we are playing the team trends (along with some sweet odds) over the individual pitcher matchups. For example, Reds starter Graham Ashcraft is 9-3 NRFI, but he's coming off a YRFI last time around. Overall, though, the Reds have produced a 41-38 NRFI record, which is very middle-of-the-pack. For Pittsburgh, Luis Ortiz makes his first start of the season after 21 relief appearances.
The Bucs are brutal in the first inning. Their offense stinks in general, but Pittsburgh owns a 50-29 NRFI record (third-best in MLB), alongside a lousy .211 BA in the first inning. That should help our boy Ashcraft get back on track.
And if we can snuff out concerns about Ortiz's first inning because Cincy is among the worst first-inning offenses, rocking a .186 first-inning BA.
