Caleb Wilfinger
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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 33-17 run with my YRFI/NRFI plays, so let’s keep this momentum going! But before we dive in, don’t forget to check out our MLB picks for each of today’s matchups.
New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays: NRFI (-125)
Last week, I targeted this exact pitching matchup for a NRFI between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees, and while we didn’t get to the window, I’m still going right back to the well in the Bronx on Wednesday. The Blue Jays have been red hot of late, winning 7 of 10 games to put themselves in playoff position. Despite a rocky start against New York his last time out, Jose Berrios gives them a good chance of staying hot, having allowed just 8 runs over 4 outings this month. He’ll be opposed by Gerrit Cole, who has been a rare bright spot for the Yankees this season, holding a 2.75 ERA with 8 quality starts over his last 10 outings. Look for both pitchers to set the tone early in what should be another quick inning at Yankee Stadium.
Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners: NRFI (-125)
For my second pick on Wednesday’s card, I’ll be targeting the NRFI in this matchup between the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners. This is an absolutely massive tilt in the AL West, with the Astros looking to fend of Seattle and qualify for the playoffs as the final AL Wild Card team. Just 1.5 games separates these teams, which makes Wednesday’s matchup so critical, especially since Seattle is staring down a series with the Rangers to close the season. Luckily for the Mariners, they’ll have Bryan Woo on the mound, who tossed 6 effective innings in his only appearance against the Astros this season. Woo’s xERA and other advanced metrics also suggest that he’s due for some positive regression, so I like that we’re getting to back him in a pitcher’s park as well.
On the other side, the Astros will be sending Framber Valdez to the mound, who has solid peripherals but his expected metrics suggest that his good numbers are a bit of fool’s gold. Nonetheless, I still expect Valdez to perform well against a Mariners lineup that has been extremely up-and-down all season long, at least in the opening frame. Look for a quick first inning in what should be a great game from the start.
Lock in our expert’s MLB mega parlay for Wednesday’s action at +638 odds
