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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Thursday (6/22)

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This Thursday has eight games to choose from, including a random one-game series between the Diamondbacks and Nationals due to a rainout. There are several games at 1 pm ET, so make sure to check your time slots before placing your bets.

Season to Date 22-21

Thursday’s Best No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Oakland Athletics at Cleveland Guardians – 1:10 pm ET

This is a matchup between two young left-handers who’ve had solid seasons. Logan Allen is one of several young arms the Guardians have called up this season to help build their rotation. The lefty has just under a strikeout per inning with a few too many walks, but he has a solid ERA in his first season. He has excelled the first time through the order, allowing a 0.279 wOBA. Oakland only has a 97 wRC+ against lefties which should allow Allen to keep the first frame clean.

JP Sears will get the ball in the bottom of the first and despite his higher ERA, he has arguably been even better than Allen. The strikeouts are around the same, but the walks are better. Sears has struggled with home runs, as he has allowed 2 HR/9. However, most of the home run problems came in a few starts where he allowed multiple homers. He’s had issues the first time through the order before settling down, however the Guardians have an even lower wRC+ versus lefties than the Athletics, making this a fantastic matchup for Sears.

Pick: -125

Boston Red Sox at Minnesota Twins – 1:10 pm ET

While I like this bet for more reasons than just the odds, the number does not match my personal expectations. Joe Ryan has had a breakout season for the Twins. He’s been excellent the first time through the order with a 0.282 wOBA. The top end of the Red Sox offense is definitely great, but Ryan has been so excellent that he should be able to keep the first inning clean.

The tougher part of this bet will be the Red Sox keeping it clean. Justin Garza is scheduled to get the ball for the Red Sox and he appears to be an opener. Garza has been decent in his 13 innings this season. with around a strikeout per inning, however he does have a few too many walks. The Twins have been around a league-average offense overall, with a 99 wRC+, and they have been struggling lately on the offensive side of the ball. With an even pitching matchup among openers, this should be able to remain a scoreless game after the first inning.

Pick: +110

Check out our other best bets for Thursday:

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