MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Monday (4/22)
There are a solid number of games - 11 to be exact - on Monday's MLB docket. That gives us several opportunities to find some No Runs First Inning bets.
Here are some of my favorite NRFI plays for Monday, April 22.
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Monday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning Picks
Oakland Athletics (+200) @ New York Yankees (-245) | O/U 8 (-110/-110)
Starting Pitchers: JP Sears vs. Carlos Rodon
Monday's matinee matchup features the New York Yankees hosting the Oakland Athletics. While this game appears to be a mismatch over nine innings, I expect the first inning to be an even 0-0 affair.
Carlos Rodon will be on the mound for the Yankees. He has pitched to the NRFI in three straight games, with five strikeouts over those three frames. Oakland has been a league-average offense versus left-handed pitching, but they are certainly prone to striking out. The A's have struck out in 27.9% of their plate appearances versus left-handers. That is the fourth-highest rate in the league.
On the other side of the equation is former Yankee JP Sears. He is 4-0 to the NRFI this year. Sears is not overpowering by any means, but he mixes his pitches effectively and has held hitters to a .197 batting average through three starts.
The Yankees are slightly above average versus lefties, but two of their top three hitters in the lineup are struggling mightily entering Monday's game. Anthony Volpe is 1-for-21 with eight strikeouts over his last six games. In that same stretch, former MVP Aaron Judge is 3-for-24 with 14 punchouts.
I think both Sears and Rodon get the job done on Monday and help us cash our first NRFI bet of the day.
Bet: NRFI (-110 via FanDuel Sportsbook)
Detroit Tigers (-114) @ Tampa Bay Rays (-104) | O/U 7 (-121/+100)
Starting Pitchers: Tarik Skubal vs. Zack Littell
My second NRFI bet for Monday features a matchup between the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays. This game has all the makings of a good old-fashioned pitchers' duel. Tarik Skubal and Zack Littell have been among the best pitchers in the game over the season's first month.
Both Skubal and Littell have an ERA and xERA under 3.00 while recording more than a strikeout per inning. Of the 96 pitchers who have thrown at least 20 innings this year, only eight others in Major League Baseball currently fit that criteria.
The Tigers are below average offensively (86 wRC+) against right-handers and have struggled historically versus Littell. Littell has held Tigers hitters to a .421 OPS in 32-career plate appearances. I expect him to set the tone early with a scoreless top of the first inning.
Skubal has enjoyed similar success in his encounters against the Rays. Rays hitters have a .414 OPS in 40 career plate appearances. The top of Tampa's lineup has had a bit of success. Yandy Diaz, Harold Ramirez, Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes combined to hit 5-for-19 (.263) with a double against Skubal. However, the quartet is 22-for-104 (.212) overall, with two extra-base hits in the past seven days.
Ultimately, I expect the Skubal to match Littell's zero with one of his own and help us get across the finish line with this NRFI play.
Bet: NRFI (-137 via BetRivers Sportsbook)
Chicago White Sox (+150) @ Minnesota Twins (-180) | O/U 8.5 (-108/-112)
Starting Pitchers: Jonathan Cannon vs. Chris Paddack
Unlike our last NRFI bet, our final NRFI bet for Monday has almost nothing to do with the starting pitchers involved. This is strictly a bet against each team's respective offense. Although I will point out that Jonathan Cannon and Chris Paddack are a combined 3-1 to the NRFI in the early going.
The Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins enter Monday's matchup with a total of 112 runs scored between them. Nine MLB teams have scored more runs, while the Cincinnati Reds have exactly 112. To say these two offenses are scuffling is a massive understatement.
Neither team heads into this matchup in solid offensive first-inning form. Chicago has scored a first-inning run in just one of their last nine games, while Minnesota has done so in one of their last seven. They have also both been abysmal versus right-handed pitching.
The teams have combined to hit .190 so far this year when hitting against right-handers. Chicago enters this game with a .571 OPS and a 68 wRC+ when facing a right-hander. Minnesota is not much better. They sport a .595 OPS and a 77 wRC+.
For what it's worth, Paddack's best start so far this year came at home, so hopefully, being in Minnesota will provide him some confidence. Cannon is making his first-ever road start. But considering how bad both offenses are, I think we are getting a pretty fair price on this NRFI.
Bet: NRFI (-110 via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday: