If you aren’t interested in a bet that will take 9 innings, one of the shortest-lasting bets you can make in an MLB game is if a run will be scored in the first inning. All it takes is 6 outs to glory, and one swing of the bat can make or break your bet. There is also a lot of value in these bets because the odds are usually very well-priced, and if you’re not a fan of sweating out your bets for 3 hours then this one will take only about 15 minutes to win or lose.
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Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros: NRFI (-111)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Pitching should be the story of this series. It took until the 7th inning for a run to be scored in the Opening Day matchup between these teams and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a repeat performance tonight. Friday night’s matchup will feature Lance Lynn for the White Sox and Cristian Javier for the Astros, and that sounds like a scoreless first inning to me. Javier is a rising star in baseball who has solidified himself as the #2 starter on the Astros after an incredible 2022 season. The 26-year-old had a 2.54 ERA paired with a 2.43 xERA in 148.2 innings, but more importantly, he was nearly perfect in the first inning. Javier limited opponents to a .169 batting average with 41 strikeouts in the first frame last year.
Lynn’s 2022 campaign was his worst season since he was a member of the Minnesota Twins. He struggled to find any rhythm and just seemed uncomfortable on the mound. However, Lynn participated in the World Baseball Classic for the United States as he was arguably the team’s best pitcher. In 9 innings, he allowed 3 runs on 6 hits with 8 strikeouts against Canada and Venezuela. While Canada didn’t have the best showing in the tournament, Venezuela had an elite lineup. If Lynn can continue his success from the World Baseball Classic to Minute Maid Park, there should be a scoreless first inning.
Check out my MLB best bets for Friday!
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New York Mets vs Miami Marlins: NRFI (-138)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
The Opening Day starting pitching matchup between Sandy Alcantara and Max Scherzer lived up to the hype. Only 1 run scored in the first 5 innings as both pitchers were dealing. That started to change when the bullpens got involved, but fortunately for us, the arm barns are not necessary for this bet. Friday’s game between these NL East foes will feature Jesus Luzardo for the Fish and David Peterson for New York. This would have been a much more attractive bet if it was Justin Verlander for the Mets, but Peterson will suffice.
Peterson was decent in 2022 with a 3.83 ERA in 105.2 innings and split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen. However, there’s no question as to where Peterson will be this season. The lefty was incredible in Spring Training, as he threw 12 scoreless innings while allowing just 1 hit. He struck out 13 batters and impressed the Mets enough to earn the Friday night start. Peterson will be countered by Luzardo, who has blossomed since being acquired from the Athletics. The lefty finished in the 87th percentile in strikeout rate and 88th percentile in whiff rate last year, and that was one of the many reasons he was so successful in the opening frame. Luzardo had a 1.50 ERA and limited opponents to a .164 batting average in the first inning in 2022. I expect a second straight scoreless first frame in Miami.
Check out our New York Mets vs Miami Marlins predictions
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