As MLB hits another Friday, we'll gladly offer up some winning NRFI picks today. The Mets-Rockies showdown is a sure-fire NRFI pick, while the Orioles and Yankees offer a rare YRFI opportunity.
Here are our NRFI picks for today.
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NRFI Pick Today: Rockies vs Mets (-115)
Colorado vs New York Odds - Game Time: 7:10 pm ET
The Rockies are no longer the YRFI lock they once were. While that sucks for YRFI bettors, it's great for the odd NRFI pick when the time calls for it. And, homie, the bells are ringing as Colorado (42-52 NRFI) marches to New York for a showdown with the Mets (56-36 NRFI).
Sean Manaea is our knight in shining armor for this bet. The lefty is 15-2 NRFI this year, by far the best record available Friday, with a minuscule 1.06 ERA in the first inning. Manaea has allowed just two first-inning runs all season, holding opponents to a .552 OPS in the first.
Manaea should have an easy go against a Rockies offense that owns just a .686 OPS in the first frame. Beyond Manaea, however, we must take a leap of faith. Our new man Tanner Gordon, the Rox rookie, needs a clutch performance in his second pro start. He went 6.1 IP last time around, allowing five runs, but managed a scoreless first, which is all we care about.
Thankfully, the Mets offense isn't very potent in the first inning, batting .237. New York's bats are also responsible for a 68-24 NRFI record in their half of things, which pales in comparison to the club's 56-36 total NRFI record.
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YRFI Pick Today: Yankees vs Orioles (-115)
New York vs Baltimore Odds - Game Time: 7:05 pm ET
This contest screams YRFI, leaving me no choice but to abandon the comfort of my NRFI ways and go to the YRFI darkside today. Join me.
Let's start with the Yankees offense matchup against Cade Povich (4-2 YRFI). While New York hasn't been as hot of late, the skinny O's rookie faces a meat grinder atop the order, especially as a left-hander. The Povich vs Aaron Judge matchup looms large, as does Juan Soto's lefty-vs-lefty presence. Povich also owns a 9.00 ERA in the first inning, having allowed six runs and two homers in six starts.
And then Gerrit Cole goes for the Yanks, and he's been anything but reliable lately. The ex Cy Young winner owns a 6.75 ERA through four starts this year, combining that with a 4.50 ERA in the first frame. That's not terrible, but it's enough to hand him a 2-2 YRFI record. Additionally, certain O's starts, such as Gunnar Henderson (1.429 OPS) have his number, which will only make the first-inning trek more difficult.
