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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (10/16)

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With the League Championship Series games beginning we are truly running out of baseball games in the 2023 season. Thankfully we have two games on the schedule today, potentially one of the last days of the season with more than one. After the Rangers’ nailbiting win over the Astros in Game 1, they look to take a commanding lead back to their home park. The Phillies and Diamondbacks open up their series with a matchup of aces and legitimate Cy Young contenders. Let’s dive into the two matchups.

Monday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Texas Rangers at Houston Astros

Jordan Montgomery threw one of the best games of his life yesterday to outduel Justin Verlander and the Rangers took the series lead. Today they are sending out Nathan Eovaldi who has started to develop a reputation as a Postseason ace. He has a career 2.70 ERA in just under sixty innings and made two excellent starts already this postseason. The Astros have one of the best top thirds of the order in the league but Eovaldi should be up for the task. Framber Valdez has not quite had the same level of postseason success but the left-hander has been among the best pitchers in the league in the last several seasons. His ability to throw strikes and keep the ball on the ground are good signs for NRFI bets and his 0.246 WOBA allowed the first time through the order helps with that. He has a similarly difficult time corraling this Rangers’ offense but he is up for the task.

Pick: No Runs First Inning (-120)

Arizona Diamondbacks at Philadelphia Phillies

Both of these teams have followed a similar script this Postseason, which is great pitching and massive offensive outbursts leading to victories. This is obviously an oversimplification but overall, they are relying on two above-average pitchers and a strong bullpen to lead them to victory. Their offenses are full of talented players with power and a few breakout performances. Zack Wheeler takes the mound for the Phillies and in just under fifty innings, Wheeler has established himself as one of the best postseason pitchers in baseball. He has a 2.59 ERA in the postseason and in the regular season was elite the first time through the order. He had a 0.244 wOBA allowed in those situations and despite the Arizona offense jumping on the Dodgers early in their last series they will struggle to do so against Wheeler tonight. Zac Gallen takes the ball on the other side and he is much less experienced in the postseason but he is one of the best arms in the game himself. He has a similarly good 0.262 wOBA the first time through the order and while he is given the much tougher task of facing this Phillies’ offense, his ability to throw lots of strikes and avoid the long ball should allow him to be successful in this one.

Pick: No Runs First Inning (-125)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday:

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