It’s a Friday in mid-September on the diamond, which means plenty of teams are still fighting for survival and some are already extinct. Finding value in desperation or exhaustion is a key strategy this late in the season. 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. 20.
Best NRFI Picks Today: No Run First Inning Bets 9/20
Cardinals vs. Padres YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET
The Cardinals come to town as one of the league’s best scoring teams in the first inning, averaging 0.59 runs per first inning (RPFI) on the road. Mike Clevinger comes in with a below-average 19.6% strikeout rate and could easily be in a jam with his 7.6% walk rate. The Padres boast a powerful top of their lineup and have increased their RPFI at home to 0.54 on the season. They just plated two in their last game and averaging 1.33 RPFI over their last three. Adam Wainwright’s walk rate is tad better than Clevinger, but the Cardinals righty has a rough strikeout rate of just 18.6% — not good enough against the Padres bats.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Cardinals at Padres YRFI (-115 BetMGM)
Tigers vs. Orioles YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET
Time is certainly running out for the Orioles to make any playoff push; it’s been expired for the Tigers for quite some time. Tonight in Baltimore presents solid value, with two pitchers who should maintain some recent team trends. Neither of these two clubs score in the first inning in their respective spots, Detroit on the road and Baltimore at home. The Tigers are tied at the bottom of the league, averaging just 0.21 RPFI on the road. Meanwhile, Baltimore isn’t much better at home, averaging just 0.31 RPFI at home, third worst in baseball. Joey Wentz has a 1.04 WHIP in four starts — the last three were scoreless first innings. Baltimore counters with Austin Voth, who should cruise with his 1.14 WHIP against Detroit.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Tigers at Orioles NRFI (-105 BetMGM)
Nationals vs. Braves YRFI/NRFI Pick | RISK FREE BET
Happy Patrick Corbin day! The Nationals were one of baseball’s better teams in RPFI average on the road, but that has fallen flat, much like the rest of the season in D.C. Corbin has given up two or fewer runs in four of his last five starts. The Braves do strikeout as much as they pose a threat to score, and Corbin only needs to get three outs for this to cash. Charlie Morton takes on a Nationals team that’s been struggling in one of the only bright spots of their season and should be able to rely on his 28.3% strikeout rate.
Best NRFI Bet Today: Nationals at Braves NRFI (+105 BetMGM)
