Monday always presents some rare opportunities to find value in the first inning, with both a shorter slate and the opening of series. Be it a No Run First Inning or a Yes Run First Inning bet, the aim is to combine recent hitting and pitching trends, ballpark data, and the first-inning moneyline tool at OddsShopper. Here are the best value plays for today’s action with the best NRFI picks for Monday, Aug. 8.
Best NRFI Picks Today: No Run First Inning Picks
Giants at Padres Pick | RISK FREE BET up to $1,000
After giving up a first inning run in four straight games on the road, Alex Wood has settled down. It’s now three straight road starts for the Giants lefty without giving up a run in the opening frame. That’s the biggest concern about any NRFI play in this game, as the Padres send Blake Snell to counter. He faces a lineup with strikeout potential and he has a 30.2% strikeout rate, including nine strikeouts his last time out against the Rockies. San Diego may snap out of its recent skid with a win tonight, but Wood already has in his own right. There will be no run in the first tonight.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Giants at Padres NRFI (-115 BetMGM)
Angels at Athletics Pick | RISK FREE BET up to $1,000
Anyone getting a run past Cole Irvin on the Angels side will be accomplishing a rare feat. It has been at least seven starts at home for Irvin since he has given up a run in the first. As a team the Athletics give up 0.42 runs per first inning (RPFI) at home, which might be an opening for the Angels, who are just above league average with 0.49 RPFI on the road. It’s dicey but not to the level of implied risk with the number below, especially factoring in Jose Suarez for Los Angeles. The southpaw comes off two of his longest and strongest starts of the season but hasn’t put together anywhere near the consistent body of work that Irvin has.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Angels at Athletics YRFI (+120 BetMGM)
Reds at Mets Pick | RISK FREE BET up to $1,000
At the time, this number doesn’t make sense on its surface — more of a shock if it moves closer to even money. While the Mets send Chris Bassitt to face a weakened Reds lineup, this one is heavily weighted on the Mets, and rightfully so. Justin Dunn makes his Reds debut and hasn’t pitched in the majors in over a year. Bassitt lost to the Reds the last time he faced them … in 2019. The only thing that matters is how bad Dunn has been in Triple-A since his last trip up, combined with the Mets leading the sport in RPFI average at home (0.81).
Best NRFI Bet Today: Reds at Mets YRFI (-115 BetMGM)
