MLB Picks and Best NRFI Bets Today Including Texas Rangers vs Minnesota Twins, August 24
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Best NRFI Bets & MLB Picks Today, August 24
- ⭐ Pick 1: Brayan Bello vs J.P. France: Over 0.5 Runs (-125) at Fanduel
- ⭐ Pick 2: Jose Berrios vs Kyle Gibson: Under 0.5 Runs (-105) at BetMGM
- ⭐ Pick 3: Andrew Heaney vs Pablo Lopez: Under 0.5 Runs (-120) at Draftkings
The Thursday's MLB lineup is brimming with captivating matches. These include games featuring Cy Young contenders and those with teams vying for postseason spots.
These high-profile games present interesting opportunities when it comes to Best NRFI Bets & Picks Today as the race for the playoffs hots up.
So we've uncovered the best odds at some of the best online betting sites, such as BetMGM, FanDuel and DraftKings for the best MLB picks today.
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Best NRFI Bets Today: Boston Red Sox vs Houston Astros
⭐ Brayan Bello vs J.P. France: Over 0.5 Runs (-125) at Fanduel
Although day games often lean towards scoreless opening innings, the Astros-Red Sox matchup on Thursday is likely to be an exception. The Astros excel in first-inning runs, ranking third in MLB, while the Red Sox are decently placed in this category. The pitching duel between Brayan Bello and J.P. France doesn't scream a low-scoring affair, suggesting both lineups could make a quick impact.
Bello, for his part, has been solid but not impenetrable in the first inning this year, recording a 3.86 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 21 starts. Given that the Astros have netted 21 runs in their last four outings, Bello, facing Houston for the first time, could be in for a tough start.
Similarly, France has a decent but not unassailable 3.18 ERA in the first inning over 17 starts. Also facing his opponents for the first time, he's up against a Red Sox lineup that's been scoring an average of 6.1 runs in their last seven games. Notably, each of the first three games in this series has seen first-inning runs, making it likely that Thursday's game will follow suit.
Best NRFI Bets: Brayan Bello vs J.P. France: Over 0.5 Runs (-125) at Fanduel
CLICK HERE to bet on the Boston Red Sox vs Houston Astros match!
Best NRFI Bets Today: Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles
⭐ Jose Berrios vs Kyle Gibson: Under 0.5 Runs (-105) at BetMGM
Although both the Blue Jays and Orioles are known for their batting, they've found it hard to kick off games with a bang. The Blue Jays rank second-to-last in MLB for first-inning runs this season, while the Orioles have fared moderately better. Consequently, the Jays have the second-highest rate of not scoring in the first inning (NRFI), hitting it 58% of the time. The Orioles have also hit NRFI in eight of their last 10 games. With Jose Berrios and Kyle Gibson on the mound on Thursday, early scoring could be a challenge for both lineups.
Berrios, despite not being a first-inning standout, has a respectable 3.96 ERA and is coming off a strong performance against the Reds. Over his last eight games, he's given up first-inning runs only twice—once against the formidable Dodgers—indicating he's currently in form and could likely stifle the Orioles in the opening inning.
Gibson, although plagued with a 5.19 ERA in first innings, has a good record against Toronto. He had a strong outing against the Jays in late July, including a scoreless first inning. Before his last two starts, he had five consecutive starts without a first-inning run. Gibson's allowed just two runs over 13 innings when facing Toronto this year, suggesting he could potentially shut them down early in Thursday's matchup.
Best NRFI Bets: Jose Berrios vs Kyle Gibson: Under 0.5 Runs (-105) at BetMGM
⭐ CLICK HERE to bet on the Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles match! ⭐
Best NRFI Bets Today: Texas Rangers vs Minnesota Twins
⭐ Andrew Heaney vs Pablo Lopez: Under 0.5 Runs (-120) at DraftKings
While the Rangers have talent, their first-inning run production falls below the league average, and they often hit "No Runs First Inning" (NRFI). The Twins, on the other hand, are fourth in MLB for hitting NRFI, largely due to their strong starting pitching. Pablo Lopez is expected to extend this trend on Thursday, and with Andrew Heaney pitching for Texas, the initial inning is likely to be scoreless—perhaps extending beyond that.
Heaney's performance this year has varied, but he's currently enjoying a solid run with a 2.16 ERA in August. Although his first-inning ERA is a moderate 4.13, he has made two recent starts where he pitched five or more scoreless innings. In his last 12 starts, he's only allowed first-inning runs twice, usually keeping things tight early on. Given this, he should maintain that form against the Twins.
As for Lopez, he generally starts strong, holding a 3.96 first-inning ERA. He's been particularly impressive in August, not allowing a run in 19 consecutive innings and delivering six or more scoreless innings in each of his last three starts. Consequently, the first innings of those games were run-free. Currently, he has a streak of five games without surrendering a first-inning run. Given his recent form, it would be a surprise if he allows any runs on Thursday, especially in the opening inning.
Best NRFI Bets: Andrew Heaney vs Pablo Lopez: Under 0.5 Runs (-120) at DraftKings
⭐ CLICK HERE to bet on the Texas Rangers vs Minnesota Twins match! ⭐
As we look forward to these thrilling MLB matchups, there's another exciting development on the horizon for sports betting enthusiasts. Come this September, Kentucky will be launching online sports betting, paving the way for the emergence of new Kentucky betting apps. This opens up a new realm of opportunities for fans and bettors alike. Stay tuned for more updates on this front.
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