Caleb Wilfinger
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After an eventful offseason that featured plenty of moves that shook up the sport, the MLB regular season has started off with a bang. And while there are plenty of ways to wager on all of the action on the diamond this season, one of the quickest bets you can make is if a run will be scored in the first inning. There is still value to be had in this market, so it’s no wonder that these bets have become very popular over time. If you don’t like sweating out your wagers for 3 hours, this one will take only about 15 minutes.
I went 2-0 in my last YRFI/NRFI column, so let’s keep that momentum going! But before we dive in, don’t forget to check out our MLB picks for all of today’s games on the diamond.
Minnesota Twins vs Detroit Tigers: NRFI (-120)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -130.
For my first selection in this market on Saturday, I’m going to trust a couple of pitchers that I’ve wagered on many a time over the past couple of seasons. Joe Ryan had a difficult 2023 season after a strong 2022 campaign, but the Twins right-hander looks to be rejuvenated this spring. Through his first couple of outings, Ryan has posted 3.18 ERA with an xERA of just 2.44, to go along with one of the better walk rates in baseball. Having allowed just 4 runs over his first 11.1 innings pitched, I expect another quick start in the first inning from Minnesota’s resurgent right-hander. On the other side, Kenta Maeda had a nightmarish start to the 2024 campaign against the White Sox, but he started to figure some things out against Oakland in his last outing. Look for Maeda to put together a solid first frame against a struggling Twins offense.
Read our full Minnesota Twins vs Detroit Tigers predictions
Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Diego Padres: YRFI (-115)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -125.
Much has already been made of the elite quartet at the top of the Dodgers lineup, and those 4 hitters are a big reason why I’m targeting the YRFI in Los Angeles for my first best bet in this market on Saturday. It’s been damn near impossible to get Mookie Betts out this season, and being followed by Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith certainly doesn’t help opposing pitchers. The Padres will send Matt Waldron to the mound, who has been very inconsistent in his first two starts. Waldron will be opposed by Gavin Stone, who has struggled mightily to start the season to the tune of a whopping 9.00 ERA. He could be in some serious trouble against Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and company in the opening frame. The Dodgers are as good as it gets at the top of the lineup and San Diego should see success against Stone, so let’s go with the YRFI in the City of Angels.
