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. We’ve cashed 4 of our last 5 YRFI/NRFI best bets, so let’s keep the good times rolling! Make sure you check out our MLB picks for Game 2 of Arizona Diamondbacks vs Philadelphia Phillies.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs Philadelphia Phillies: NRFI (-113)
Available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
There is no shortage of fantastic pitching in this series as Game 2 of the NLCS features another exciting matchup between Merrill Kelly and Aaron Nola. Game 1 technically featured the aces of each staff, but Kelly and Nola are like the sidekicks — both still exceptional pitchers. Kelly ended the regular season on a fantastic note with a 3.22 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 36.2 innings in September and must have saved his best for last since he was lights out in the divisional round. The right-hander had to face the divisional rival Dodgers, and Kelly threw 6.1 scoreless innings while surrendering just 3 hits and recording 5 strikeouts. That outing came on 6 days of rest since the Diamondbacks swept the Brewers in the Wild Card round and saved Kelly a few extra days. Next, Kelly will face a fiery Phillies squad in Philadelphia. Even in a hostile environment, Kelly has an excellent chance for a scoreless first inning. In the regular season, he limited hitters to a .213 batting average with a 29.6% strikeout rate in the first inning. And in his last 13 starts, he has allowed a first-frame run just 3 times.
Aaron Nola was a box of chocolates in the regular season. The right-hander never seemed to find his rhythm and always had one or two starts a month which frustrated a lot of Phillies fans. Fortunately for Nola and the Phillies, he’s been at his best in the postseason. Between the Wild Card round against the Marlins and the divisional round against the Braves, Nola allowed just 2 earned runs and 9 hits with 12 strikeouts in 12.2 innings. He’s limited hitters to a .205 batting average with a 26% strikeout rate and just a 4% walk rate. Nola has played a big part in Philadelphia’s postseason success, and it all starts in the first inning. Since Opening Day, Nola has been fantastic in the opening inning. He held hitters to a .197 batting average and a 35% strikeout rate in the first frame this season, and more recently, he has not allowed a first-inning run in 12 of his last 14 starts. Expect a slow start in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
We also have a Diamondbacks vs Phillies Same Game Parlay available at +532 odds
