Tuesday’s slate begins following a 2-1 night from this column to open the week. A larger slate of action means more value in the first inning. 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 today for Tuesday, Sept. 13.
Best NRFI Picks Today: No Run First Inning Bets 9/13
Athletics vs. Rangers YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE Bet
Two teams going absolutely nowhere square off for a quick series in Arlington. The Athletics come off a huge Sunday win over the White Sox but are still one of baseball’s few teams already eliminated from the playoffs. It’s coming for Texas too.
The Rangers will start Cole Ragans against Oakland’s Ken Waldichuk, who is making his third career start tonight. Texas still averages 0.55 runs per first inning (RPFI) at home, one of the better teams in baseball. Oakland is in the middle to bottom-middle of the sport, averaging 0.44 RPFI on the road. Neither one of these pitchers is good enough to stop those trends, and if anything, they are going to give each a bump in first inning scoring. There will be chances!
Best NRFI Bet Today: Athletics at Rangers YRFI (-110 BetMGM)
Royals vs. Twins YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET
The YRFI at BetMGM is sitting at +100, but it’s trap money based on who is starting this game — mostly who is starting for the Royals. Kris Bubic has dreadful stats on the season, most notably his 1.64 WHIP. It’s an easy target for anyone just reading the surface numbers and not what Bubic has recently done on the road. He’s only surrendered a first inning run in two of his last seven road starts, including scoreless firsts over his last three.
He comes into Minnesota with enough recent history to counter the top of the Twins lineup. Minnesota averages 0.58 RPFI at home but has seen a dip over the past month. Joe Ryan takes the mound and should have little issue with a Royals team averaging 0.42 RPFI on the road.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Royals at Twins NRFI (-125 BetMGM)
Cubs vs. Mets YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET
It’s now or never for the Mets as they watch another September creep up on their backs. While their division lead has dwindled and they come off another disappointing loss last night, there’s hope here for an early score. Jacob deGrom is back on the bump for New York as they host Adrian Sampson and his 1.29 WHIP.
The Mets have hit well at home in the first inning all season, sitting third with 0.74 RPFI at Citi Field. The Cubs are now just one of 10 teams averaging over 0.50 RPFI on the road — 0.52 to be exact. They have hit well early on the road and will have their best chance to attack the Mets ace in the first inning.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Cubs at Mets YRFI (+125 BetMGM)
