Mark Lammey
Show Bio
We’ve got a full MLB slate on Wednesday with plenty of storylines across the league. Teams are still fighting for postseason spots while others are just riding out their last few series. Whichever the case, there are a lot of variables at play. However, we can isolate a specific part of the game instead. By predicting if a run will be scored in the 1st inning or not, many other variables can be avoided. It can also earn you profit in just about 15 minutes! 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 2 favorite YRFI/NRFI bets for today.
Bet $5 on any MLB game today at DraftKings Sportsbook and get $200 in free bets instantly! New customers sign up here to claim now.
St. Louis Cardinals vs Milwaukee Brewers: NRFI (-135)
As someone who prefers to root for runs, today’s slate does not provide nearly as many of those opportunities. Even in an otherwise hitter-friendly ballpark, the pitching matchup between the Cardinals and Brewers is as ideal as it gets for this play.
St. Louis acquired lefty Jose Quintana from the Pirates at the trade deadline and he’s been an absolute stud. He’s allowed 0 or 1 run in each of his 4 starts this month, and just led the team to an 11-0 win over the league-best Dodgers his last time out. In his 10 starts with the Cards, he’s allowed more than 2 runs just twice. Now he gets to face a Brewers lineup that is terrible against lefties. They have the 6th-lowest OPS against such pitching, behind the likes of the league-worst Nationals and Tigers. There are some big names in the Brewers lineup, but no one in the top of the order is hitting above .250 against lefties.
Of course, the Cardinals’ big names are nerve-racking as well. However, Brandon Woodruff would be the ace on most other teams. Within his last 4 starts alone, he’s held Aaron Judge and the Yankees scoreless as well as the Rockies out in hitter-friendly Coors Field. The Cardinals also haven’t been able to score in the 1st inning in either of Woodruff’s starts against them this season. The biggest threat to this play is NL MVP favorite Paul Goldschmidt. However, he’s hitting .269 against him. While that isn’t awful, it’s nothing compared to how well he hits others. Trust Woodruff to continue getting through the Cards’ lineup in the 1st inning.
Be sure to check out our St. Louis Cardinals vs Milwaukee Brewers predictions
Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Diego Padres: NRFI (-140)
The big names continue with our next play, as the Dodgers have 3 studs at the top of their lineup. However, we at least don’t have a hitter-friendly ballpark going against us in this game. Petco Park is known for being a pitcher-friendly stadium and Padres starter Joe Musgrove has taken advantage of that.
He was a top NL Cy Young candidate earlier in the year, and has been strong against even the Dodgers. LA has also been resting guys since clinching home-field throughout the playoffs, specifically Freddie Freeman. He’s arguably their best bat, so that would bring even more value to this play. Regardless, Musgrove has held the Dodgers scoreless in the 1st inning in both of his starts against them this season. He did so just over 2 weeks ago, and one of the biggest threats to this play has not enjoyed facing Musgrove. The Dodgers’ Trea Turner is hitting just .158 against the Padres starter.
San Diego’s lineup doesn’t have an ideal matchup either. They too have some big names, but they haven’t been nearly as great as expected. It also helps that Julio Urias is on the mound for the Dodgers. He’s a lefty, and the Padres are behind the Royals and Reds in terms of hitting lefties. He’s faced the Padres in back-to-back starts this month alone and they were unable to produce in the 1st inning. For those concerned about Juan Soto, he is an abysmal 1-for-13 against Urias. As someone who prefers a YRFI play, that should demonstrate how strong these NRFI plays are for tonight.
Be sure to check out our Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Diego Padres predictions
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.
