Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (9/22)

Twenty-six teams take the field today as the Major League Baseball playoff positions solidify. There’s a title race in the N.L. East between the Mets and Braves (1.0 GB) and the Phillies hold the final Wild Card spot over the Brewers (2.5 GB). Other than that, things are just about finalized as we sit two weeks away from the postseason. However, from a betting standpoint, there’s still plenty to be settled as we near the end of the regular season. Below I’ve listed my top three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets for today.

Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

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Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles

The Astros are red hot right now as they enter off of a sweep against the Rays and have now won 10 out of their last 11 games. They’ll take on the Orioles for four games this weekend, and the pitching matchup for game one is Justin Verlander vs. Kyle Bradish. This one’s set for 7:05 p.m. ET tonight from Camden Yards.

Verlander just about has the A.L. Cy Young award locked up at this point, as he’s currently -400 at DraftKings. The veteran hurler has been magnificent this season, and he’s doing it coming off of Tommy John surgery at the age of 39. Verlander enters tonight’s game at 17-3 with a 1.78 ERA (1st) and 0.83 WHIP (1st) over 25 starts. The right-hander has made one start since returning from the 15-day IL, and he was electric over 5.0 innings against the Athletics. Verlander held them hitless and allowed just one walk in the winning effort. 

Bradish hasn’t been at his best this season as he comes into this one at 3-7 with a 5.05 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 20 starts. Most recently, the right-hander threw against the Blue Jays on Saturday and allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk. Bradish went 4 2/3 innings and was saddled with the loss.

While Bradish hasn’t been great overall this year, he’s been solid as of late. He’s posted a 2.12 ERA over his last five starts, including a great outing against the Astros to close out August. Bradish went 8.0 innings against Houston and held them scoreless on two hits and a pair of walks. As for Verlander, what do we even need to say? He’s at the top of his game right now. It’s worth mentioning that he pitched in the same series and went 3.0 scoreless innings before being removed with the calf injury that ultimately sent him to the 15-day IL. Let’s ride with NRFI in this A.L. matchup tonight at Camden. 

Bet: Astros at Orioles NRFI (-150 via DraftKings)

Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox

The Guardians have hammered the nail into the coffin of the White Sox, and they’ll look to complete the sweep tonight before heading to Texas for three games. Shane Bieber takes the ball for Cleveland while Chicago (6.0 GB in Central) counters with Johnny Cueto in this divisional showdown scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.

Bieber has been excellent down the stretch this season and comes into tonight’s game at 11-8 with a 2.83 ERA (12th) and 1.03 WHIP (14th). The right-hander last pitched on Saturday against the Twins and went 8.0 innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits. Bieber struck out six batters, and Cleveland has now won his last three starts. 

Cueto has exceeded expectations this season, going just 7-8 but boasting a 3.09 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 22 appearances (21 starts). He’s coming off of a rough start against the A’s last Sunday as he was tagged for seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and a walk. He went 4 2/3 innings, and Chicago has now dropped his last two starts. 

Keeping it with Cueto, he’s been great against the Guardians this season. In two starts and 15.2 innings of work, the veteran righty owns a 1.72 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. They’re hitting just .228 against Cueto this year with no home runs. Bieber’s coming off of that dominant outing against the Twins, and we can look for that to continue against a demoralized Chicago ball club today. The former Cy Young winner has only allowed three runs over his last three starts, and he’s riding a 10-game quality start streak. Let’s lock in NRFI tonight on the South Side. 

Bet: Guardians at White Sox NRFI (-150 via DraftKings)

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers 

The Diamondbacks go for a series win tonight in Los Angeles as they’ve split the first four games of their five-game set with the Dodgers. We have a fantastic pitching matchup between two of the top three Cy Young favorites in Zac Gallen (+1300) and Julio Urias (+750). The first pitch for the finale is slated for 10:10 p.m. ET from Dodger Stadium. 

Gallen has been crushing it down the stretch and comes into tonight’s divisional clash at 12-3 with a 2.52 ERA (10th) and 0.92 WHIP (3rd) over 28 total starts. The right-hander last threw on Saturday against the Padres and went 5.1 innings, allowing just two earned runs on four hits and a trio of walks. Gallen took the loss in a 2-0 defeat, and the Snakes are now 9-2 in his last 11 outings. 

Urias has really stepped up in the absence of some of the big guns in Los Angeles’ rotation this year. The southpaw is 17-7 on the season with a 2.27 ERA (3rd) and 0.95 WHIP (5th) over 28 starts. Most recently, Urias pitched against the Giants and held them to two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk over 6.0 innings. He earned the win, and the Dodgers have now won his last four starts. 

Both of these starters have their best stuff right now, and I expect for them to bring it again tonight in L.A. Gallen has only made one start against the Dodgers this year, and he dominated them, going 6.0 scoreless frames and giving up just two hits. As for Urias, he’s in the same boat and actually started in the same game as Gallen back in April. The lefty lasted 6.0 innings and allowed just one earned run on a single hit and two walks. Let’s hope for another pitcher’s duel tonight and roll with NRFI. 

Bet: Diamondbacks at Dodgers NRFI (-155 via DraftKings)

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