Mark Lammey
Show Bio
We have another full MLB slate this Saturday. Let’s take advantage of all of the opportunities before heading into a loaded NFL Sunday. Boosting your bankroll can be as quick as 15 minutes with these plays. We’re predicting if a run will be scored in the 1st inning or not, rather than sweating out a 3-hour long game. With early afternoon games, we can even roll over our winnings into later in the day! So many games may seem overwhelming, but we’ve broken down the best spots to target for today’s slate. Along with these early plays, be sure to check out our MLB picks for all of today’s games.
Let’s take a closer look at my favorite YRFI bets for today.
Bet $5 on any MLB game today at DraftKings Sportsbook and get $100 in free bets instantly! New customers sign up here to claim now. No promo code is required.
Colorado Rockies vs Chicago Cubs: YRFI (-105)
It’s only fitting to get our early 1st-inning plays started with one of the first games of the day. The Rockies and Cubs are facing off in another afternoon game at Wrigley Field. Not only is the start time the same, we have more double-digit winds blowing out to left-center field. That’s perfect news for this play. Similarly, today’s starting pitchers provide another great matchup. It was originally scheduled to be a Wade Miley start for the Cubs. However, they are now giving rookie Hayden Wesneski his first MLB start. Not only that, the rookie has made just 2 relief appearances in his brief big-league career. It’s difficult to expect him to have much success against a Colorado lineup needing to bounce back from yesterday.
The Cubs scored in the 1st inning of yesterday afternoon’s series opener. They can do the same against Rockies starter Jose Urena. Chicago came into this series having scored 6 runs in the 1st inning against the Mets, the 2nd-best team in the National League. Now they get to face Urena, who has a 5.81 ERA. The Rockies starter has allowed 7 or more runs in 2 of his last 4 starts, including what was ultimately a 16-4 loss to the Rangers. Neither of these teams is postseason-bound, but that doesn’t mean they can’t take advantage of the starters on the mound and the hitter-friendly conditions.
Baltimore Orioles vs Toronto Blue Jays: YRFI (-110)
We won’t have to wait long for our next play, as the Orioles and Blue Jays throw their first pitch less than an hour later. It also won’t be a situation of Toronto not naming their starter until the 11th hour like last night’s game. They’re going with Jose Berrios, who right off the bat should help the O’s score in the top of the 1st inning. He’s allowed the 3rd-most earned runs of any pitcher. The O’s hitter with the most success against him this season is rookie Adley Rutschman, who bats second in the lineup and homered last night. He’s 4-for-6 against Berrios with 2 doubles, a home run and 2 RBI. There’s also been a run in the 1st inning in 9 of the 14 meetings between these teams this season.
Of course that means the Jays have also been a part of that. It certainly helps that this series is being played at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. It may not have the windy conditions of Wrigley Field, but it ranks 4th for extra-base hits and runs and 9th for home runs. Power is exactly what O’s rookie starter Kyle Bradish will be facing in the 1st inning. That starts with leadoff man George Springer, who also homered last night. Then there is Vladimir Guerrero Jr, who already has 100 career home runs. Those studs are followed up by the hot bat of Bo Bichette, who’s hitting .444 against Bradish this season. Given the trend between these teams and today’s matchup, expect some early action.
Be sure to check out our full Baltimore Orioles vs Toronto Blue Jays predictions
How to bet YRFI & NRFI bets risk-free
New FanDuel Sportsbook users can lock in a $150 risk-free bet on any market! Here’s how to claim:
- Click here to register for a new FanDuel Sportsbook account. No promo code is required.
- Make a first-time deposit
- Simply place your first real-money wager on a YRFI or NRFI or any other MLB market you want to bet.
- Regardless if your bet wins or loses, you win $150 in free bets. All winning bets will be fulfilled within 72 hours if they win.
- Sign up now to claim your $150 risk-free YRFI/NRFI bet
Pickswise is the home of free MLB Picks. Check out the latest MLB Prop Bets and MLB Parlays as well as our MLB Best Bets from the experts.
