Mark Lammey
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It’s now mid-August, and the MLB season is getting interesting. The trade deadline has passed and teams are solidifying who they are. That means heated postseason races, whether it be for a division or a wild card. So much tension with every series means sweating out a 3-hour long game may not be your style. That’s why we have these plays that will take just 6 outs — at most — to determine an outcome. We have analyzed and identified the best spots for today’s slate to boost your bankroll in just about 15 minutes.
Along with these early plays, be sure to check out our thoughts on the side and total for all of today’s games.
Let’s take a closer look at my 2 favorite YRFI/NRFI bets for today.
Colorado Rockies vs St. Louis Cardinals YRFI (+100)
We are getting things started with a rematch of a series that took place less than a week ago. However, this time around we won’t be paying nearly as much of a premium. The Rockies and Cardinals just faced off prior to their most recent series. That was out at Coors Field in Colorado. Now they are starting up another series, this time in St. Louis. While the location change makes a difference, it does not change the specific matchups we are targeting.
They are opening up this series with a battle of lefties. In fact, Colorado’s Kyle Freeland and St. Louis’ Jose Quintana had the same matchup from the 2nd game of their previous series. The Cardinals scored 5 runs in the 1st inning; there is no reason they shouldn’t produce again. The Cards have been smashing lefties this season, overtaking the Yankees for the best lineup against them. They are led by NL MVP favorite Paul Goldschmidt, who is guaranteed an at-bat in the 1st inning. With how great he has been, it only increases the chances of Nolan Arenado seeing the plate to hit another home run off of Freeland.
That’s not to say the Rockies’ lefty won’t get support of his own. Colorado is just behind the Cards in terms of hitting lefties, with the 4th-highest OPS. The Rocks have been the best at points this season and should prove that against Quintana. Although they did not produce early against him last time around, the former Pirate is no ace. He faced the Rockies earlier this season when he was still with Pittsburgh. He gave up 6 runs, including 1 in the 1st inning. With such advantageous matchups for both teams, expect early action in this series opener.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the Colorado Rockies vs St. Louis Cardinals
San Diego Padres vs Miami Marlins NRFI (-130)
Let’s transition our first play into another where we are also getting a better price than anticipated. The new-look Padres would generally have fans assuming a run should be scored in the 1st inning. However, that has not been the case. San Diego scored a run in the 1st inning of Juan Soto and company’s first game with the team but hasn’t done so since. After Sandy Alcantara shut down the Padres night, that marked 11 straight games.
That streak should continue at pitcher-friendly LoanDepot Park in Miami against Marlins pitcher Edward Cabrera. The 2nd-year starter is also part of what is creating a better price on this play. While he may be a lesser-known name, the kid has looked great. He’s only had 5 starts on the year but is already 3-1 with a low 2.05 ERA. The young strikeout pitcher also has the best hard-hit rate in the entire league among qualified pitchers. Soto and Manny Machado are big names, but they haven’t been getting off to fast starts.
The same can be said for the Marlins’ lineup. They have been abysmal since the all-star break, scoring 3 or fewer runs in 16 straight games — the longest streak in over 40 years. As if their overall performances haven’t been bad enough, they have an even worse matchup tonight. They will be facing Padres lefty Sean Manaea. The Marlins are the absolute worst lineup against left-handed pitching this season, as their .590 OPS is the only team below .600 against them. There may not be the big names like Alcantara or Joe Musgrove featured tonight, but the 1st-inning result should be the same.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the San Diego Padres vs Miami Marlins
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