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Today’s slate only consists of eight games. However, six of those eight games are afternoon matchups. If you want to get in on the action, get your bets in early. Most of the games will be over by the night rolls around.
I’ve added a couple of No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks to the betting portfolio today. Tail along below.
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet €“ Team View
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet €“ Matchup View
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Thursday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Tampa Bay Rays (-112) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (-108)
Starting Pitchers: Taj Bradley vs. Chris Bassitt
The Tampa Bay Rays will roll with Taj Bradley tonight. He’s a right-handed pitcher who has held his last 96 batters to a .023 ISO and wOBA of .195. Bradley has even earned 54.2% of ground balls and has added more than 30% of strikeouts over the last 30 days.
Bradley has been almost untouchable against both sides of the plate. However, he’s allowed a .000 ISO to his last 42 righties. He’ll likely take on two righties within the first three batters today.
On the other side, Chris Bassitt will take the hill for the Blue Jays. Bassitt has earned 26% of strikeouts over the last 30 days against lefties. He’s also held lefties to a .130 ISO and wOBA of .298. He’ll be in line to face two lefties out of the first three batters in the Rays lineup.
Both starters match up well against the top of the order. Therefore, we’ll back the NRFI for this Blue Jays-Rays game.
Bet: NRFI (-135)
Atlanta Braves (-130) at New York Mets (+110)
Starting Pitchers: Chris Sale vs. Luis Severino
Chris Sale was supposed to pitch a couple of days ago. However, rain pushed his start to tonight against the Mets. With added rest, Sale should be more than 100% ready.
The left-handed ace has allowed a .120 ISO and wOBA of .259 to his last 91 batters. He’s also struck out 36.1% of batters in the previous 30 days and has induced 44% of ground balls. Sale has allowed just a .108 ISO to righties over the last 30 days. He’ll be in line to face two righties and one lefty to start the game against the Mets.
Conversely, Luis Severino will take the hill for the Mets. Severino has struggled badly against lefties, allowing a .275 ISO and wOBA of .375 in the last 30 days. However, he’s held righties to a .023 ISO and wOBA of .271 over the previous month.
Lucky for Severino, he’ll likely take on two righties out of the first three batters to begin the game against the Braves. Atlanta’s offense, other than Marcell Ozuna, has been inconsistent against righties. I’ll trust Severino to finish the job and keep the scoreless first inning intact.
Bet: NRFI (-135)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
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- NASCAR Futures: Updated Cup Series Championship 2024 Odds, Picks & Predictions
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