Baseball games are too long (yawn), so we've fashioned all our YRFI/NRFI picks (Yes/No Run First Inning) to cater to those instant betting needs. I mean, why wait all nine innings when you can your MLB fix in a mere six outs?
Here are my two Y/NRFI bets for Thursday, May 9:
Pick 1: Astros vs Yankees: Yes Run First Inning (-115)
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 5:05 pm ET
I'm very happy we can snag this bet at -115 odds, as to me, this bet morphs into a true pick'em. Allow me to explain.
Usually, it's best to handicap a Y/NRFI bet with one vulnerable pitcher on each side. Today, unfortunately, we only get one guy: Ronel Blanco. My gut tells me that's enough.
The Astros righty has been solid this year, but he's increasingly vulnerable to the longball. As I mentioned in my MLB same-game parlay, Blanco has surrendered four homers in his last three starts. On top of that, his first-inning numbers aren't pretty. Blanco has a 7.50 ERA in the first inning this year, with opponents slugging .522 off him. He also has an ugly 4:4 strikeout-walk ratio that has elevated opposing hitters to a .370 OBP.
Even if Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton don't take Blanco yard, a walk and a few bloops can do the trick.
Pick 2: mariners vs Twins: No Run First Inning (-170)
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 1:10 pm ET
The sportsbooks got us on the ropes here. Even at -170, however, I'm down to ride this bet.
Logan Gilbert has been straight-up nasty lately, twirling a sparkly 0.98 ERA over his last four starts, allowing just 11 hits in the process. 11 hits! That stinginess is an underrated element in Y/NRFI betting. Sometimes, it's simply about baserunner traffic. If a starter always clogs the bases, then a bloop or an untimely walk can bust our bet. Clean bases are good bases for NRFI bets, and I envision a squeaky clean scenario with Gilbert on the hill Thursday.
Again, the M's are an MLB-best 25-12 NRFI. While the Twins aren't quite as silky (17-19 NRFI), Seattle's modest offense helps push our bet in the right direction. Minny's starter Pablo Lopez has been better of late, too. After a few sloppy starts, the right-hander turned in a vintage six innings of one-run baseball last time out.
The stars are all aligned for a winning (albeit a little chalky) no run first inning bet.
