The 2024 MLB World Series continues with a Saturday night Game 2 matchup between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. After an intense series opener last night with a walk-off Freddie Freeman home run, let us turn the page to Game 2.
It starts with the first inning as we take a deep dive into the NRFI (No Runs First Inning) odds and picks. Here is my favorite NRFI play for Yankees vs. Dodgers World Series Game 2 on Saturday, October 26th. Note that the odds may change before the first pitch.
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Team View
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Matchup View
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- MLB Consensus Odds
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Saturday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(All odds courtesy FanDuel Sportsbook)
New York Yankees at Los Angeles Dodgers
Starting Pitchers: Carlos Rodon vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
World Series Game 2 on Saturday features a starting pitching matchup between Carlos Rodon and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. These are two very different pitchers facing some of the best hitters in the world atop the Yankees and Dodgers lineups. Even so, we can count on Rodon and Yamamoto to combine to cash the NRFI.
On the surface, the 6.47 ERA in the first inning for Rodon during the regular season doesn't offer much confidence. The Yankees left-hander also had a so-so 20-12 NRFI record. Yet, he has been a lot more effective lately regarding the NRFI.
Rodon has not allowed a first-inning run in all three of his postseason starts so far. He has also held opponents scoreless in the opening frame in 12 of his past 16 starts, including a 7-1 NRFI mark over his past eight outings. Dealing with Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts is not ideal. Still, Rodon should be up to the task and has come out with energy and good stuff right out of the gate in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Yamamoto has a tall task ahead of him with Juan Soto and Aaron Judge looming in the first inning. The Dodgers right-hander also had a worrisome 6.00 ERA across his opening frames in the regular season. Even so, his NRFI trends look a lot better when you look closer.
Yamamoto had a 13-5 NRFI record during the regular season. His poor first-inning ERA looks worse due to a couple of bad outings. Interestingly enough, four of his starts allowing first-inning runs came against the Padres and Rockies. Against everyone else, he had a 13-1 NRFI mark. Yamamoto faced the Yankees in June and tossed seven shutout innings.
Bet: NRFI (-102)
