Baseball is at its winding-down point in the regular season, with plenty of divisions already decided. There are a few spots left up for grabs, specifically the NL East or final Wild Cards, and thus there is great value early in games. 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. 27.
Best NRFI Picks Today: No Run First Inning Bets 9/27
Athletics vs. Angels YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET
Two teams going absolutely nowhere will square off tonight in Los Angeles. The issue isn’t pitching so much as the two lineups aren’t good enough to score runs. Outside of Shohei Ohtani hitting a solo shot, don’t expect anything exciting in the form of offense, at least in the first inning. Patrick Sandoval will face James Kaprielian, a matchup as bad as it sounds.
Sandoval does have a strong strikeout rate at 23.9%, or at least it is good enough to hold off the Athletics in the first inning. His counterpart will face a tougher matchup, but the Angels also carry a ton of strikeouts. Los Angeles has dropped from the top ranks of runs per first inning (RPFI) average at home and is no longer a major threat to score.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Athletics vs. Angels NRFI (-120 BetMGM)
Phillies vs. Cubs YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET
Zack Wheeler takes the mound for the visiting Phillies as they try to hold off the Brewers for the final Wild Card spot. The Cubs will look to play spoiler with Marcus Stroman as a team that just took three of four from Pittsburgh. Wheeler makes his second start from the IL and should expand his workload, but he won’t have issues with this Cubs team despite averaging 0.67 RPFI at home. Chicago should struggle in the first against Wheeler, while Stroman gets a bump against a Phillies team only averaging 0.30 RPFI on the road. Stroman comes in with a 1.17 WHIP and a low 6.4% walk rate, plenty to take advantage of a Phillies team that will need a time or two through the lineup.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Phillies at Cubs NRFI (-140 BetMGM)
Rockies vs. Giants YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET
The Rockies are an easy team to predict when it comes to home and away lines. Playing at Coors Field usually means plus money for any NRFI play; the opposite usually holds on the road. Such is the case tonight against Logan Webb and the Giants. Despite having an ERA just below 3.00 and plenty of run support, as evident by his record, Webb is still hittable.
Granted, the Rockies struggle on the road. Webb can leave open the door with a 1.16 WHIP that’s mainly held by his lower walk rate, not his strikeout ability. The Giants average 0.53 RPFI at home and face German Marquez and his 1.40 WHIP. No team gives up more RPFI on the road than the Rockies, surrendering an astounding 0.83 RPFI away from home.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Rockies at Giants YRFI (+100 BetMGM)
