MLB picks Thursday 6/22: YRFI & NRFI best bets today: Blake Snell keeps Giants scoreless

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell (4) walks to the dugout during the middle of the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Petco Park.
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Kyle Lupas

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Born and raised in Northeast Pennsylvania and a former college baseball player, I'm an avid fan and handicapper of the MLB, NBA, NFL and NCAA's. Looking to find an edge by any means necessary. A lifelong Phillies fan, I was still unable to get my learner's permit the last time they made a postseason appearance. For Kyle Lupas media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.
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Don’t like sitting around for the entirety of a baseball game only for your bet to lose in the 9th inning? Well then, the YRFI/NRFI market is your new best betting strategy. Just reserve about 10 or 15 minutes to watch the 1st inning and let the chips fall where they may. Thursday’s 8-game slate starts in Philadelphia and concludes in the Bronx. So, let’s get right into it, and don’t forget to check out our MLB picks on the side and total for every game today.

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Arizona Diamondbacks vs Washington Nationals: YRFI (-128)

The Diamondbacks and Nationals go head-to-head this afternoon in a makeup game from June 8. The full-game run total is set at 9.5 runs, and I believe a bulk of those will come in the early innings. Arizona just took 2 out of 3 games from the Brewers this week and scored 1st inning runs in 2 of those games. These teams played one another at the start of the month and today gives us a starting pitching rematch between Jake Irvin and Tommy Henry, which yielded 5 runs in the 1st inning on June 6.

Irvin takes the ball to begin the game and is pitching to a 5.25 ERA over 8 games with a 1.61 WHIP. In his start against the D-Backs, Irvin allowed 3 earned runs on 5 hits, 3 walks, and 1 hit batsman across 4.0 innings of work while recording just 1 punchout. Irvin’s 16.3% strikeout rate to 13.3% walk rate typically doesn’t lead to much success at the Major League level as he’s constantly working himself out of jams. Similar to Irvin, Tommy Henry has an unimpressive strikeout-to-walk ratio (15.1 K% to 9.2 BB%) and has surrendered 1st inning runs in 2 of his last 3 outings. June’s been Henry’s worst month to date as he’s posting a 7.20 ERA, .323 opposing batting average and 1.80 WHIP. I think each of these teams could be due for early scoring.

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San Diego Padres vs San Francisco Giants: NRFI (-128)

The San Francisco Giants have won 10 in a row, and the only team stealing their shine has been the Cincinnati Reds, who’ve rattled off 11 straight wins. It’s been pure dominance from the Giants, and they’ve outscored their opponents 80-31 over this extended streak. However, I believe that Blake Snell is just the guy to at least slow them down in the early going. Snell is pitching to a 3.48 ERA through 14 starts and is currently having his best stretch of the season. Over his last 4 outings, Snell has given up just 1 earned run across 25.0 innings and has back-to-back games with 12 strikeouts.

Alex Wood takes the ball for his 9th start and 10th appearance of the season, carrying a 4.11 ERA alongside a 1.46 WHIP. The numbers don’t jump off the page for Wood, but he’s tossed 6 scoreless 1st innings in 8 attempts thus far, and he’s been solid the first time through the order. The first time through the lineup, opposing batters are hitting just .183, compared to .293 the second time through, and .364 the third time around. Expect Wood to not play around too much in the 1st inning and escape scoreless.

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