MLB picks Wednesday 11/1: YRFI & NRFI best bets today: Offenses start fast in Rangers vs Diamondbacks World Series Game 5

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) reacts against the Houston Astros in the first inning during game six of the ALCS for the 2023 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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The World Series has been extremely entertaining thus far, as the final days of the baseball season have been a lot of fun. While there are plenty of ways to wager on all of the action during the Fall Classic, one of the quickest bets you can make is if a run will be scored in the first inning. Even at this point in the season, there is still value to be had in this market, so it’s no wonder that these bets have become very popular over time. If you don’t like sweating out your wagers for 3 hours, this one will take only about 15 minutes.

I’m currently on a 42-22 run with my YRFI/NRFI plays, so let’s keep this momentum going for what could be the final game of the MLB season. But before we dive in, don’t forget to check out our MLB picks for today’s World Series matchup.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers: YRFI (+100)

Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.

Like I said in my YRFI/NRFI piece before Game 1, I’d like to back the NRFI in a World Series game. Given that this is an elimination game, I’d typically expect the offenses to be a little tight in the early going. However, I don’t see that being the case this time around, especially since these lineups have been absolutely rolling all series long, putting up an average of nearly 11 runs per game to this point. Early offense has been paramount for the Rangers, as they have won every game this postseason when scoring first. Arizona ace Zac Gallen hasn’t had his best stuff throughout the postseason, allowing 18 hits and 12 ER over his last 16 innings pitched. On the other side, the Diamondbacks offense has still been producing this series and they should feel comfortable facing Nathan Eovaldi, who struggled with Arizona’s lineup in his 4.2 IP back in Game 1, allowing 6 hits and 5 ER in that outing.

I’m more than comfortable backing a pair of offenses that have been dominating against opposing pitchers throughout the postseason, and that’s continued into this series. Between the likes of Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and Evan Carter (who saw great success against Gallen in Game 1), plus Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte and Lourdes Guriel Jr. in the other dugout, we should be able to generate a run in the opening frame. Let’s look for a hot start in the desert.

Read our full Texas Rangers vs Arizona Diamondbacks predictions

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