Picking up from Tuesday’s action, we return after a perfect 3-0 night. The action shifts to Friday’s full slate of baseball with some fantastic value in the early innings. Coming off Thursday’s series openers, the second game presents better opportunities to bet. 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 Friday, Sept. 23.
Best NRFI Picks Today: No Run First Inning Bets 9/23
Braves at Phillies YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET
Locked in a battle for Wild Card standing, the Braves are sending Jake Odorizzi to counter Aaron Nola. The Phillies have seen their No. 2 struggle at times, but he still boasts a 0.98 WHIP overall. The problem has been surrendering early runs, and while the Braves are loaded with strikeouts, they also carry some heavy power with their bats. Atlanta is just 1 of 10 teams averaging at least 0.50 runs per first inning (RPFI) on the road, and it has its best chance in getting to Nola in the first. The Phillies average 0.65 RPFI at home — eighth best in all of baseball — and face a pitcher with a 1.43 WHIP and 18.6% strikeout rate.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Braves at Phillies YRFI (-110 BetMGM)
Tigers at White Sox YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET
Detroit is notoriously awful on the road, especially early in games. They struggle to score runs in the first inning away from home, averaging a league-worst 0.21 RPFI on the road. Despite going up against Lucas Giolito and a 1.49 WHIP, the Tigers simply can’t be trusted to even get on the bag, let alone score any early runs. It’s bad enough that even the White Sox giving up 0.60 RPFI to visitors isn’t enough to buy Detroit as an early scorer.
The White Sox take on Eduardo Rodriguez, good enough to hold them scoreless in the opening frame. Chicago only averages 0.45 RPFI at home, 1 of just 11 teams to average below the 0.50 mark. The White Sox will be tight coming off another loss while watching the division slip away.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Tigers at Orioles NRFI (-120 BetMGM)
Mets at Athletics YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET
The Mets may have clinched a playoff spot, but it’s far from convincing that they can contend. This is an important stretch for their bats as they get a nice tune-up against the Athletics. Oakland surrenders 0.45 RPFI to visitors, combined with a hungry Mets team that should outplay its meager 0.39 RPFI average on the road. Cole Irvin is their early target, and the Mets will counter with Chris Bassitt. While pitching to contact has worked, Bassitt is still vulnerable with anyone on the basepaths. The A’s won’t have a high strikeout rate to deal with; neither will the Mets with Irvin. The latter has not done much well at all this year outside of a lower walk rate.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Mets at Athletics YRFI (+105 BetMGM)
