Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today (Mariners vs. Yankees Headline Three Matchups to Target)

It's a new month, so the road to an undefeated August begins today! We've got a light 10-game MLB slate, but there's still several matchups I'm targeting for some No Run First Inning (NRFI) and Yes Run First Inning (YRFI) bets.

With strong pitching matchups on the board and a few clunkers, we've got value galore.

Using odds from WynnBET Sportsbook, here are my favorite NRFI/YRFI bets of the day:

Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today

Mariners vs Yankees YRFI (-120)

I don't have much confidence in either pitcher today and think we see some runs on the board early. Marco Gonzales starts for the Seattle Mariners with a 5.93 ERA over his last three games. His 5.08 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) implies he's been extremely lucky to amass a 3.66 actual ERA on the season. He's given up 12 runs in the first inning over 18 games, and his MLB Statcast Pitching Profile is far from encouraging:

The New York Yankees handily led MLB in OPS against left-handed pitchers in July and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a home run in the first inning.

Domingo German makes his third start for New York after struggling in his first two with an 8.22 ERA. He allowed three home runs in just 7.2 innings across the two outings and with him ramping up to speed still, I like the chances Seattle plates an early run as well.

Red Sox vs Astros YRFI (-115)

Nathan Eovaldi has been terrible for the Boston Red Sox since returning to the rotation from injury. He had a truly horrific 11.08 ERA across three starts in July and faces a Houston Astros team that scores in the first inning 41.67% of the time at home. Eovaldi ranks in the eighth percentile in hard hit percentage and this crafty Astros club is ready to take advantage.

On the other end, Luis Garcia compiled a 4.70 ERA last month and the Red Sox are much better offensively on the road. Garcia allowed a home run in each of his last two starts and walked four in his most recent outing, so he's not in good form right now.

I'll trust these offenses against a pair of mediocre starters to plate a run in the opening frame.

Orioles vs Rangers NRFI (-115)

Spenser Watkins has quietly been excellent for the Baltimore Orioles of late, posting a 1.93 ERA over his last five starts while allowing a first inning run just once in that span. The Texas Rangers score in the first less than 25% of the time on the road, so I have confidence Watkins will throw up a zero.

I love the matchup for Jon Gray as well. Baltimore is the worst first inning offense in MLB, scoring in the first a pathetic 16.67% of the time, and Gray has gone three straight starts without allowing an early run.

If not for Chris Woodward's bone-headed decision to leave Gray in against Seattle last week when it was obvious he was exhausted, Gray would have nine consecutive starts without allowing more than three runs. Julio Rodriguez blasted a home run, but Gray was still fantastic in that outing.

With two mediocre offenses and two hot pitchers, the NRFI is the play in this matchup.

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.