It's Good Friday, and with many people getting ready for a long weekend, it's understandable if you don't have much time for a full MLB slate of 15 games. That said, with the No Run/Yes Run first-inning markets, you can make some money in the opening frame.
My MLB picks for today focus on three early bets, including tonight's showdown at Coors Field, where I'm expecting a run in the first inning. Here are my best NRFI and YRFI bets for Friday, April 18
Best NRFI/YRFI bets today
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NRFI (-140 at ProphetX)
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NRFI (-124 at ProphetX)
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YRFI (+104 at ProphetX)
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NRFI/YRFI bets for April 18
Royals at Tigers: NRFI (-140 at ProphetX)
Jackson Jobe is one of the highest-rated prospects in baseball, and while the Detroit Tigers starter still has rough edges to smooth over, he's been solid.
The 22-year-old has pitched to a 3.00 ERA with an OBA of .184 through three starts. Today, he'll take on a Kansas City Royals squad that is 28th in the majors in OPS (.585) and 29th in runs per game (2.95).
That said, the Royals will have their ace on the mound in Cole Ragans. The southpaw finished fourth in the AL Cy Young race last year, and he's looked even better this season, pitching to a 2.28 ERA with a 0.93 WHIP in four starts. Since the start of last year, Ragans has a 2.50 ERA in the first inning while the Tigers bat just .221 against lefties.
When you also consider the wind is blowing towards the infield at 18 mph at spacious Comerica Park today, don't expect any runs in the first inning.
A's at Brewers: NRFI (-124 at ProphetX)
The Oakland A's have been surprisingly productive at the plate this season, but they'll have a tough time generating runs early today.
The Milwaukee Brewers are sending Freddy Peralta to the hill, and the righty has a 2.31 ERA with an expected ERA of 2.47 through four starts. Peralta has allowed just one run in the first inning while holding opponents to an on-base percentage of .200 in the opening frame.
Rookie J.T. Ginn will toe the rubber for the A's. He threw a gem in his only MLB start this year, holding the Mets to one run across 5 1/3 innings last Saturday. In seven career Big League starts, Ginn has allowed just two runs in the first inning.
He'll face a Brewers lineup that has an OBP of .690 and scores in the first inning just 15.8% of the time — the worst mark in the majors.
Nationals vs Rockies: YRFI (+104 at ProphetX)
It's not often that we see the YRFI prop at Coors Field installed at plus money. As sharp as Washington Nationals starter Mackenzie Gore (3.52 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) has been this season, it isn't enough to justify that.
Per usual, the Colorado Rockies can't hit on the road, but they are competent in the thin air at Denver. They are plating 4.83 runs per game and have scored in the first inning 50% of the time at home .
The Nationals score in the opening frame 31.6% of the time (11th in the majors), and while they're below average in most hitting metrics, they'll produce at this venue.
Especially since Colorado is sending struggling Chase Dollander to the hill. The rookie has a 5.06 ERA with a 5.72 xERA through two starts. He has a 13.50 ERA with an OBA of .333 in the first inning.
❓What are NRFI and YRFI bets❓
NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) bets add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI bet is a wager that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're betting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.
A YRFI bet is the exact opposite. You're betting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.
NRFI and YRFI bets add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for bettors looking for a quick resolution.
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