It's April 15 and I've got a wave of NRFI picks today to hand out. I'll start in the Bronx, where New York is in tough against an old nemesis. Meanwhile, Boston and Tampa go at it at George Steinbrenner Field in Florida, which is unjustifiably skewing the odds toward a YRFI.
NRFI Pick Today: Royals vs Yankees (-111 at Sportsbook)
Royals vs Yankees Odds – Game Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
I love this matchup because it’s one of those rare spots where the mighty Yankees could look vulnerable in the opening frame. Oddsmakers have priced Yankees games cautiously, and I’m more than comfortable laying -111 on the NRFI here.
Wacha gets the ball for KC and has owned this lineup, holding active Yankees hitters to a weak .485 OPS over 72 at-bats. Judge, in particular, is just 1-for-21 with 12 strikeouts. With those splits, a NRFI bet is hard to pass up. On the other side, Max Fried has also started 3-0 on NRFIs this season and has limited Royals hitters to a .689 OPS across 36 at-bats.
NRFI Pick Today: Red Sox vs Rays (-110 at Sportsbook)
Red Sox vs Rays Odds – Game Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
I like the pitching setup in this one. Buehler has only faced the Rays for three career at-bats, all outs against Brandon Lowe, so Tampa won’t be quick to adjust to his stuff. Despite a 2-1 NRFI record and a shaky first-inning ERA over 5.00, the randomness of baseball works in our favor. I’m leaning on the element of surprise with Buehler's unfamiliarity to sneak past the first inning.
Conversely, Pepiot is 3-0 NRFI and has limited active Red Sox hitters to just 7-for-31 (.226) with a .669 OPS.
