After another 2-1 night, we hit the weekend with the opportunity to further build on a 9-6 week. Saturday’s action is mostly focused on the later games providing some of the best value in the opening frame. 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 Saturday, Sept. 3.
Best NRFI Picks Today: No Run First Inning Bets 9/3
Phillies at Giants YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET up to $1,000
There is decent value in the lone early start with the Phillies looking to forget last night’s 13-1 drubbing. Noah Syndergaard will square off against Jake Junis as neither pitcher is known for their strikeout ability. The Giants bats are cooking after a stretch of games that saw them strikeout far more than their season average, and the Phillies remain a legit threat on the road to score runs. Be it San Francisco picking up where it left off or the Phillies regressing to more power atop the lineup, neither pitcher has enough to counter the contact. The Giants average .55 runs per first inning (RPFI) at home — plating four in last night’s game.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Phillies at Giants YRFI (-110 BetMGM)
Astros vs. Angels YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET up to $1,000
This play is quite simply about the two pitchers and a batter — the latter being both in Shohei Ohtani. The Angels ace will be countered by Luis Garcia for Houston, who has seen a first-inning run in three of his last five road starts — including the Angels in that stretch. Ohtani might give up a run while creating one in the same inning, as the Astros are tied for fifth best in baseball with a .55 RPFI average on the road. The Angels have significantly dipped from earlier in the year but still average .52 RPFI at home — with the threat of Ohtani always looming. Garcia is a good pitcher but seems to struggle recently in the first inning while on the road. There should be scoring chances for both teams in the first inning.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Astros vs. Angels YRFI (-110 BetMGM)
Nationals at Mets YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET up to $1,000
Yes, it’s Max Scherzer on the mound for the Mets but it’s also Patrick Corbin on the hill for the Nats. This is as close to a polar opposite of arms as it gets in this sport, but the Nationals have a positive season-long trend that works in their favor. The Nationals are still one of just 10 teams to average more than .50 (.52) RPFI on the road. If they are going to get to Scherzer it will be in the first inning. The Mets are still one of baseball’s best at home, averaging .78 RPFI at Citi Field. Corbin comes in with horrific numbers — a WHIP 1.76 and an 18.6% K rate. New York should feast on Corbin while the Nationals have as good a chance as most to get to Scherzer.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Nationals at Mets YRFI (+115 BetMGM)
