Mark Lammey
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After the loaded slate that Sundays always provide in the MLB, Mondays are just as notorious for having fewer games. That’s even more true this week, with just 7 games on the board. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t make it a profitable day. Better yet, we can boost that bankroll nice and early with some 1st inning plays. Even without as many games to choose from, we’ve identified the best spots to get some winners in about 15 minutes. Along with these early plays, be sure to check out our thoughts on the side and total for all of today’s games.
Let’s take a closer look at my favorite YRFI bets for today.
Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles: YRFI (-125)
While we’re targeting early profit, it’s only fitting we start with the very first game of the evening. We’re also getting a bit of a better price than usual on this, as Blue Jays leadoff man George Springer is on the injured list. However, that should not cause any trepidation for this play. Toronto recently acquired Whit Merrifield from the Royals, who is taking over that top spot of the order. He led the entire league in hits in 2018 and 2019, then had the 4th-most last season, and is approaching 100 for this year. Now he has Vladimir Guerrero Jr. batting behind him, who led the league in total bases last season.
Guerrero Jr. has the league’s longest current hitting streak at 18 games. The Orioles aren’t even surprising fans any more. They’ve just been playing well, which includes the top of their order. Cedric Mullins recently had a leadoff home run against AL CY Young-candidate Shane McClanahan. Even rookie catcher Adley Rutschman scored in the 1st inning on Saturday. That too was a home game in hitter-friendly Camden Yards, where this series is also taking place. Right alongside Guerrero was O’s No. 3 hitter Anthony Santander with a 16-game hitting streak entering Sunday. After taking lefty ace McClanahan deep, Mullins can do so against Toronto lefty Yusei Kikuchi if Vladdy hasn’t already gone deep in the top of the inning.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles
Cincinnati Reds vs New York Mets: YRFI (-115)
We’re not going to have to wait long for our next play, as we’re targeting the other early evening game on the slate. Just about 5 minutes later we should see more early action up at Citi Field in New York. This series being at home for the Mets is a factor for this play, as they are the absolute best in the league for producing runs in the 1st inning. They did so twice against the Braves over the weekend, one of the league’s best teams. Now they’ll be hitting against one of the league’s worst. As if facing the league’s 2nd-worst pitching staff of the Reds wasn’t advantageous enough, Cincinnati will be giving Justin Dunn his first start since June 2021.
They’re forced to do so as they traded away their top starters, Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle. Dunn came over from the Castillo trade to the Mariners and is now thrust in a position to pitch against a lineup that includes Starling Marte, Francisco Lindor and 2-time home-run derby champion Pete Alonso. Those names alone are enough to intimidate any pitcher, and leaves no question as to why the Mets are so potent early in games. While we’re primarily trusting New York in this spot, the Reds could come through even earlier. They have 2021 Rookie of the Year Jonathan India and shortstop Kyle Farmer with 51 RBI at the top of the order. Regardless of who gets it done, expect a run in the 1st inning.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the Cincinnati Reds vs New York Mets
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