We're back with some midweek YRFI/NRFI picks (Yes/No Run First Inning). Why wait all nine innings to cash their bets when there's an option to get your MLB fix in six outs?
Here are my two Y/NRFI bets for Wednesday, May 15:
Pick 1: Mets vs Phillies: Yes Run First Inning (-120)
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 6:40 pm ET
Believe me, I wish I could play the NRFI (-110) in this matchup. Ranger Suarez's 7-1 NRFI record, including seven straight NRFIs, is so darn tempting. But, alas, I cannot fade the Philles; no sane man should.
The Phils are the hottest team in baseball. Not only are they 15-5 SU in their last 20, but they've also been the best first-inning offense this year. And they're the best by a country mile, as they say. Philadelphia has scored 45 runs in the first inning, alongside a .965 OPS. It's glorious, and Mets starter Joey Lucchesi doesn't have a chance in his first start of the year.
Keep an eye on Bryson Stott to make a difference, too. The Phillies infielder is absolutely raking lately, cashing the OVER 0.5 total bases in nine of his last 10. At a fair -175 line, he's worth a play.
Pick 2: Twins vs yankees: Yes Run First Inning (-110)
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 7:10 pm ET
In my same-game parlay piece today, I spent a lot of time gushing about how Pablo Lopez will succeed. The righty owns a career-high whiff rate and his strikeout stuff appears better than ever. That said, he's not perfect in the first inning. Opponents own an .906 first-inning OPS vs Lopez, plating four runs and handing him an unsexy 4.50 ERA.
At the same time, I have a feeling in my bones Marcus Stroman will get lit up on the Yankees side. He owns a 5.33 ERA in his last four starts. His 6.33 FIP during that span also suggests he's vulnerable to the long ball. I anticipate one of the Twins' lefties taking him deep. Trevor Larnach (+475) is a fair bet to homer, as is Max Kepler (+425) or Edouard Julien (+600).
