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 Thursday, June 27:
Pick 1: Yankees vs Blue Jays: YRFI (-115)
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 7:07 pm ET
The Yankees are as hot as ever heading into Rogers Centre, and they'll be greeted by Jays starter Jose Berrios, a pitcher New York's lineup knows a little too well.
Berrios has struggled to the tune of a 5.56 ERA in his last four starts. His stuff hasn't moved the same and his strikeout total has gone UNDER in each of those starts (file that away if you're into betting strikeout props).
You guessed it! The Yankees have ripped Berrios for a .904 OPS in his career. Aaron Judge will bat in the first, and he's 12-for-29 lifetime vs Berrios with a 1.382 OPS and four homers. Juan Soto is also 1-for-4 with a three-run bomb. It's an absolute gauntlet for Berrios.
Carlos Rodon goes for New York. He's largely been successful against Toronto (.641 OPS), but Vladdy Guerrero Jr. is 4-for-6 lifetime with two RBIs, which opens the door for a potential score on the Blue Jays' side, too.
Pick 2: Cubs vs Giants: YRFI (-115)
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 3:45 pm ET
Sometimes, you must cut against the grain, and that's where I'm headed with this YRFI bet. While the Cubs (52-29 NRFI) and Giants (46-35 NRFI) are decisive NRFI clubs, there's something in this pitching matchup that suggests a sneaky YRFI is on its way.
Let's start with Cubs starter Shota Imanaga. The Japanese lefty is a hot topic these days, as his Cy Young-caliber start has given way to an onslaught of ugly outings. He has a 6.00 ERA in his last four starts, including two YRFI outings during that span. Last time around, Imanaga allowed two hits and three runs in the first inning vs the Mets. The Giants are much better at hitting left-handers, with their .763 OPS vs LHPs ranking seventh in MLB.
Meanwhile, Giants starter Jordan Hicks is coming off an outing where he allowed two first-inning runs to the Cardinals. Hicks' previously pristine command has waned over his last few outings, as he's walked three or more batters in three of his last four. Given Imanaga's hard-contact troubles and Hicks' command flare-ups, we're in a good spot for a YRFI play.
