MLB Playoffs No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions for Thursday: Guardians vs. Yankees (10/13)
The A.L. teams return to action this afternoon as the Mariners try to get back into the win column against the Astros while the Guardians attempt to take down the Yankees in the Bronx. Each game features an electric pitching matchup, and I’m locking in No Runs First Inning (NRFI) for both games. Let’s dive into the stats and trends that matter for Guardians vs. Yankees.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
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MLB Playoffs No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions for Thursday
Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Yankees
The Guardians look to bounce back from a 4-1 loss tonight as they turn to Shane Bieber to handle the starting pitching responsibilities. The Yankees will opt for Nestor Cortes in this Divisional Round clash scheduled for 7:37 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium.
Bieber mowed down the Rays in his first playoff start of the year last Friday. The former Cy Young winner lasted 7.2 innings and gave up just one earned run on three hits and a walk. For whatever reason, Bieber lost the nasty strikeout stuff that he possessed in his early years. You used to be able to count on him to record double-digit punchouts with every start. However, he’s learning to live without the putaway pitches and has shifted to a style where he opts for soft contact and getting groundballs. Bieber’s near a career-low this season in average exit velocity (89.5) and just shy of a career-high in GB% at 48.1%. Ultimately, the right-hander finished 2022 at 13-8 with a 2.88 ERA (12th) and 1.04 WHIP (17th). He’s still very effective, in my opinion.
Cortes has been equally as good this season and finished at 12-4 with a 2.44 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 28 starts. The southpaw wrapped up the regular season campaign against the Orioles on the 1st and picked up a win. Cortes lasted 7.1 innings and held them scoreless on one hit and two walks while striking out 12.
Cortes was incredible down the stretch, posting a 1.35 ERA and 0.72 WHIP over his final six starts. As for the head-to-head numbers, the lefty has held the current Guardians roster to a .118 average over 34 at-bats (four hits). As for Bieber, the Yankees are 20-68 (.294) against him, with six home runs and 10 total extra-base hits. You’d like to see those numbers a little lower, but like Castillo above, let’s turn to his impeccable form and lock in NRFI here. As long as Bieber can limit fly balls in this smaller ballpark tonight, he should be able to keep Cleveland in the game.
Bet: Guardians at Yankees NRFI (-165 via DraftKings)
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