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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (10/7)

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The Wild Card round took little time to complete as all four series ended in a 2-game sweep.

That leads us to the Divisional round. Looking at today’s Matchups, I like to fade starting pitchers with little to no playoff experience.

There are two starters I am looking to take advantage of as we look to cash the YRFI in each of those matchups.  

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Best MLB Playoffs No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets

Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros

Bailey Ober vs. Justin Verlander

The Twins swept their Wild Card series against the Toronto Blue Jay with only scoring five runs. Their pitching was immaculate, but their offense must wake up if they want a chance to eat the defending champions.

Bailey Ober is making his first-ever postseason start, and it so happens to be on the road against the 2022 Champion Houston Astros. That’s a tough ask for anyone, let alone someone making their first-ever postseason start.

Ober has to face an Astros lineup with a combined 330 postseason games under their belt between Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, and Michael Brantley.

While Bailey Ober makes his playoff debut, Justin Verlander is set to make his 35th career postseason start.

Despite having more experience, he is almost 41 years old and on the downslide of his career. And since returning to Houston, he has allowed a first-inning run in 2 of his 5 home starts.

I think there is an excellent chance to see a few runs by either team scored in the first inning of today’s game.

Bet: YRFI -105

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Merrill Kelly vs Clayton Kershaw

The Diamondbacks escaped their Wild Card series with two come-from-behind comebacks. In both their WC games, they were down 2 and 3 runs early in the game and pulled out wins with some late-inning heroics.

Today begins a series against a team with much more experience and firepower, the Los Angeles Dodgers. They can’t afford to fall behind early and often as they did against the Brewers.

With this YRFI play, I am strictly fading Arizona’s starting pitcher, Merrill Kelly. Kelly is making his postseason debut against one of the deepest lineups in the MLB. 

This will be the 5th time Merrill Kelly has seen the Dodgers this year, going 0-2 with a 3.98 ERA. In the four games he has faced this lineup, he has allowed 11 runs on 27 hits with a .342 opponent batting average. 

Bet: YRFI +100

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