SBR's Dustin Saracini is back with his best No Run First Inning (NRFI) bets for Monday, August 18th:
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (-170 at DraftKings)
Kevin Gausman (3.79 ERA) vs. Paul Skenes (2.13 ERA)
NRFI record: Blue Jays (63-62) vs. Pirates (74-51)
"You know we hardly ever miss a Skenes bump day when it comes to our best NRFI bets today, and tonight is no exception.
The Jays (outside of Ty France, who has two plate appearances) have never faced Skenes, which should help us get three simple outs in the top of the first inning. The electric right-hander has allowed just one run in the opening frame all season. I like our chances.
We're betting on Gausman at the perfect time - he's been lights-out in four of his last five starts. Across his last 14 innings, he's allowed just three earned runs, giving us all the confidence in the world that he'll put up a goose egg in the first inning."
Seattle Mariners vs. Philadelphia Phillies (-130 at FanDuel)
Logan Gilbert (3.31 ERA) vs. Ranger Suarez (3.29 ERA)
NRFI record: Mariners (65-60) vs. Phillies (68-56)
"Two strong NRFI teams as part of our best NRFI bets today? Sign me up.
When you look deeper at this specific pitching matchup, the math is adding up, too. Gilbert has historically dominated the Phillies, who own just a .205 batting average against him across 80 plate appearances. That includes Trea Turner (0-for-6) and Kyle Schwarber (3-for-12).
It's looking warm and fuzzy on the other side with Suarez, as well. Eugenio Suarez, Josh Naylor, and Cal Raleigh are a combined 2-for-12 against the left-hander, leaving us with a good opportunity to sweep the slate today.
I'd price this play closer to -150 betting odds than the -130 we're getting with FanDuel. Lock this in before the lines shift prior to first pitch."
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (-170 at DraftKings)
Kevin Gausman (3.79 ERA) vs. Paul Skenes (2.13 ERA)
NRFI record: Blue Jays (63-62) vs. Pirates (74-51)
"You know we hardly ever miss a Skenes bump day when it comes to our best NRFI bets today, and tonight is no exception.
The Jays (outside of Ty France, who has two plate appearances) have never faced Skenes, which should help us get three simple outs in the top of the first inning. The electric right-hander has allowed just one run in the opening frame all season. I like our chances.
We're betting on Gausman at the perfect time - he's been lights-out in four of his last five starts. Across his last 14 innings, he's allowed just three earned runs, giving us all the confidence in the world that he'll put up a goose egg in the first inning."
Seattle Mariners vs. Philadelphia Phillies (-130 at FanDuel)
Logan Gilbert (3.31 ERA) vs. Ranger Suarez (3.29 ERA)
NRFI record: Mariners (65-60) vs. Phillies (68-56)
"Two strong NRFI teams as part of our best NRFI bets today? Sign me up.
When you look deeper at this specific pitching matchup, the math is adding up, too. Gilbert has historically dominated the Phillies, who own just a .205 batting average against him across 80 plate appearances. That includes Trea Turner (0-for-6) and Kyle Schwarber (3-for-12).
It's looking warm and fuzzy on the other side with Suarez, as well. Eugenio Suarez, Josh Naylor, and Cal Raleigh are a combined 2-for-12 against the left-hander, leaving us with a good opportunity to sweep the slate today.
I'd price this play closer to -150 betting odds than the -130 we're getting with FanDuel. Lock this in before the lines shift prior to first pitch."