We're back with more NRFI picks as a light Thursday MLB slate offers plenty of betting opportunities. We'll start with a NRFI play in the Cardinals-Cubs game and then check out why starter Max Meyer makes the Marlins a good NRFI bet.
Here are our NRFI picks for today:
NRFI Pick Today: Cardinals vs Cubs (-115)
St. Louis vs Chicago Odds - Game Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
While the Cubs (68-41 NRFI) are no longer in the playoff hunt, their NL Central rivalry with the Cardinals (65-43 NRFI) always makes these games worthwhile. And now that we have a surefire NRFI in the mix, the stakes are even higher.
Both these clubs have been in the upper echelon of NRFI teams, and today's starting pitchers are a big reason for that. Shota Imanaga, for all his ups and downs this year, has been a fantastic pitcher in the first
inning. The lefty owns a 17-2 NRFI record, including five consecutive NRFIs by the Cubs when
Imanaga pitches. Imanaga owns a 2.37 ERA in the first inning, where opponents bat just .125
against him with a .461 OPS.
Sonny Gray (15-4 NRFI) helps our bet, too. He's been just alright in the first inning (4.26 ERA), but he has handled Cubs hitters well in the past. Chicago is batting just .256 against Gray with a .367 SLG in 90 at-bats.
NRFI Pick Today: Marlins vs Braves (-115)
Miami vs Atlanta Odds - Game Time: 7:20 p.m. ET
While the Marlins (54-54 NRFI) and their explosive starting pitching staff (5.17 ERA) aren't winning any awards this season, the club has a bright star in youngster Max Meyer, who's been great in his first four starts of 2024.
Meyer’s 4-0 NRFI record is notable as the righty has settled into his first four starts of the year,
all NRFIs. Generally, Meyer has been solid with a 3.00 ERA, but he's especially dialed in the first inning, where he’s yet to allow a hit, and only one opponent has reached base in 13 plate appearances. I wouldn't fret about Miami holding the Braves (and their .238 BA in the first) to a NRFI.
On the other side, Charlie Morton (14-5 NRFI) starts for the Braves. Morton has delivered five straight NRFIs, a big part of why Atlanta is 61-46 on the year. Between Morton and Meyer, we've got the perfect pieces in play for a NRFI bet this evening.
