Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today (Contrarian First Inning Run Bets to Make)
By Reed Wallach
Sunday's MLB slate brings us a ton of betting options, but everyone is wondering the same thing "who will score in the first inning?"
Well, we have a trifecta of plays to choose from on today's 15 game MLB slate. We are keying in on an elite pitching matchup between the Marlins and Mets, but also going out west for the Angles and Mariners game. We close our first inning run bets on Sunday Night Baseball.
Odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook:
Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today
Marlins vs. Mets YRFI (+130)
I know, NL Cy Young candidate Sandy Alcantara is toeing the slab in Flushing, but I can't pass up this number.
The Mets are one of the better teams at scoring in the first inning, scoring in more than 38% of innings. Overall, the team has had a run score in more than 61% of first innings this season. Even against a stud like Alcantara the numbers point to a worthy bet at this big of a number.
Angels vs. Mariners YRFI (-115)
Both teams are inside the top 10 in terms of first inning total runs this season and while it may seem daunting with Logan Gilbert on the mound for Seattle, the Angels lineup will give them a chance.
Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout are set to bat in the first and more than capable of putting the Halos in run scoring position.
Meanwhile, question marks surround Angels starter Kenny Rosenberg. The rookie left hander has allowed five earned runs in six innings in his big league career and I'll take a shot at him struggling against the top of the Seattle order. With a price this low, I lean towards yes with the amount of power at the top of each lineup.
White Sox vs. Astros NRFI (-120)
Both pitchers have nasty stuff and I expect each to get off to a hot start on Sunday Night Baseball. Houston's lineup in particular has struggled in the first inning, scoring in the first on less than 30% of their tries this year.
Meanwhile, I'm a proponent of backing Cristian Javier of the Astros. He has a 3.20 ERA this season, but his FIP indicates that he should be pitching closer to a 3.00. He has great stuff and this is still a banged up White Sox lineup, so I'll back Javier to get it going early and make quick work in the top of the first.