MLB picks Saturday 7/8: YRFI & NRFI best bets today: Our expert is on a 12-3-1 run!

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) reacts after the final out of the third inning against the Seattle Mariners in game two of the ALDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park.
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Caleb Wilfinger

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Deputy Editor for Pickswise with years of experience handicapping and giving out winning picks. Lover of all US sports and Southampton FC. For Caleb Wilfinger media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.
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With plenty of MLB games taking place each day, one of the quickest bets you can make is if a run will be scored in the first inning. There is value to be had and this market has become very popular over time. If you don’t like sweating out your bets for 3 hours, this one will take only about 15 minutes. I’m on a 12-3-1 run with my YRFI/NRFI plays, so let’s keep the momentum going!

Before we dive in, don’t forget to check out our MLB picks for every game today. There are 2 YRFI/NRFI bets I like on Saturday, so let’s get right into it.

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Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros: NRFI (-135)

For my first pick on Saturday’s slate, I’m taking the NRFI in this AL West clash between the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros. The issue for Seattle this season has certainly not been its pitching, and Bryan Woo is no exception to that rule. Don’t let his 4.08 ERA fool you, the young right-hander is pitching at a high level in 2023, sitting in the top 10 percentile of all starters in strikeout rate, xBA and xwOBA. Furthermore, his xERA of 2.72 shows that he’s been extremely unlucky to this point.

Framber Valdez has been equally effective on the other side for Houston, as the righty boasts an ERA of 2.49 and has great career numbers against the top of this weak Mariners lineup. Let’s back the NRFI in what should be a low-scoring affair on Saturday.

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Chicago Cubs vs New York Yankees: NRFI (-120)

For my second pick on Saturday’s card, I’m going with the NRFI in this interleague matchup in the Bronx between the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. It’s always a little frightening to back a NRFI at Yankee Stadium, but this team simply doesn’t have the same pop in the lineup without Aaron Judge’s presence. Drew Smyly does a nice job of limiting hard contact, as his average exit velocity and hard hit percentage are within the top 18 percentile of all starters.

Considering that the guy on the Yankees with the best numbers against Smyly is Josh Donaldson, I like his chances to toss a scoreless first. And on the other side, I expect Gerrit Cole to start strongly at home against a Cubs lineup that is 21st in SLG and 17th in OPS. Let’s take the NRFI.

Check out today’s MLB mega parlay!

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