After getting back in the win column on Thursday, SBR's Dustin Saracini looks to start the weekend on a strong note with his best No Run First Inning (NRFI) bets for Friday, August 1st:
Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Guardians (-145 at DraftKings)
Joe Ryan (2.82 ERA) vs. Gavin Williams (3.51 ERA)
NRFI record: Twins (54-54) vs. Guardians (63-45)
"Joe Ryan, unfortunately, stayed put with the Twins past the trade deadline, but that doesn't mean we can't tail him as part of our best NRFI bets today.
He's a large sample size king today, too, as he's limited the Guardians to just a .214 xBA across 86 plate appearances, and hasn't allowed a run in the first frame across his last 11 starts. I think we'll play those odds.
I'll also take Gavin Williams in this spot. With three simple outs to get, the deadline-selling Twins will be hard done by to score in the first inning against a guy who notoriously dominates them. Williams has not only struck out these Twins at a 23% clip, but Minnesota is hitting just .159 against him across 48 at-bats.
Let's begin the weekend in style."
Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners (-113 at FanDuel)
Jack Leiter (4.09 ERA) vs. Logan Gilbert (3.36 ERA)
NRFI record: Rangers (63-47) vs. Mariners (57-53)
"Sign me up to ride two of the best NRFI teams in baseball as part of our best NRFI bets today.
While Jack Leiter hasn't had the most success against this Mariners team, he's produced back-to-back quality starts, allowing just three runs across his last 12 innings pitched. I'm expecting him to come out of the gates hot against Seattle, a notorious slow-starting team.
Logan Gilbert will bring us home. Texas has had difficulties against the right-hander, which includes Marcus Semien (4-for-35) and Adolis Garcia (7-for-38). Overall, the Rangers are getting punched out at a near 30% clip, which should make this a sweat-free NRFI.
I'd price this closer to -130 betting odds, so the -113 line we're getting from FanDuel is providing tremendous value. Let's make our collective wallet a bit heavier heading into the weekend."
Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Guardians (-145 at DraftKings)
Joe Ryan (2.82 ERA) vs. Gavin Williams (3.51 ERA)
NRFI record: Twins (54-54) vs. Guardians (63-45)
"Joe Ryan, unfortunately, stayed put with the Twins past the trade deadline, but that doesn't mean we can't tail him as part of our best NRFI bets today.
He's a large sample size king today, too, as he's limited the Guardians to just a .214 xBA across 86 plate appearances, and hasn't allowed a run in the first frame across his last 11 starts. I think we'll play those odds.
I'll also take Gavin Williams in this spot. With three simple outs to get, the deadline-selling Twins will be hard done by to score in the first inning against a guy who notoriously dominates them. Williams has not only struck out these Twins at a 23% clip, but Minnesota is hitting just .159 against him across 48 at-bats.
Let's begin the weekend in style."
Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners (-113 at FanDuel)
Jack Leiter (4.09 ERA) vs. Logan Gilbert (3.36 ERA)
NRFI record: Rangers (63-47) vs. Mariners (57-53)
"Sign me up to ride two of the best NRFI teams in baseball as part of our best NRFI bets today.
While Jack Leiter hasn't had the most success against this Mariners team, he's produced back-to-back quality starts, allowing just three runs across his last 12 innings pitched. I'm expecting him to come out of the gates hot against Seattle, a notorious slow-starting team.
Logan Gilbert will bring us home. Texas has had difficulties against the right-hander, which includes Marcus Semien (4-for-35) and Adolis Garcia (7-for-38). Overall, the Rangers are getting punched out at a near 30% clip, which should make this a sweat-free NRFI.
I'd price this closer to -130 betting odds, so the -113 line we're getting from FanDuel is providing tremendous value. Let's make our collective wallet a bit heavier heading into the weekend."