The NRFI picks train is back, starting with MLB picks in the Blue Jays-Orioles game and a NRFI bet in the Yankees vs Phillies game.
Here are our NRFI picks for today:
YRFI Pick Today: Orioles vs Blue Jays (-115)
Baltimore vs Toronto Odds - Game Time: 3:05 p.m. ET
Suddenly, I'm deeply confident in Toronto after the Blue Jays delivered a YRFI in three straight games vs the Rangers, sweeping the defending World Series champs at Rogers Centre over the weekend. The numbers suggest this trend isn't recent either.
Over the last 30 days, the Blue Jays own a .988 OPS in the first inning of games, which leads MLB during that span. Vladdy Guerrero (1.302 OPS), Ernie Clement (2.050 OPS) and Daulton Varsho (1.667 OPS) are all real contributors if they bat in the first inning. It helps that the Blue Jays have also seen O's starter Zach Eflin a ton, with Vladdy generating a 1.667 OPS off the righty (this was a key element in our Orioles-Blue Jays same-game parlay for today).
The Orioles aren't a waste in the first inning either, rocking a .707 OPS over the last month.
The YRFI is the best bet, especially at reasonable -115 odds.
NRFI Pick Today: Yankees vs Phillies (+105)
Tampa Bay vs Toronto Odds - Game Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
The Yankees (50-57 NRFI) and Phillies (55-50) are on different trajectories lately, with Philly mashing and the Yankees scraping for offense. That said, these two teams collaborate for a perfect NRFI bet Monday, and we can thank the plus-money odds for that.
The Phillies tend to score in the first more often than not, but not when ace Zack Wheeler (18-2 NRFI) is on the hill. The right-hander has delivered five consecutive NRFIs and maintains a 0.90 ERA in the first inning. Yankees starter Luis Gil (17-3 NRFI) has been just as reliable, holding a 1.90 ERA in the first inning and delivering five NRFIs in a row.
Now that you have the facts, are you equally surprised the YRFI is chalked? I sure am, and I'll bet a unit on the underdog play in this exciting contest.
