The Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros have been surging at the plate, and with a pair of unreliable starters on the hill, expect a run to be scored in the first inning of their clash at Daikin Park tonight.
My MLB picks are also betting on an early run when the Chicago Cubs face the red-hot Toronto Blue Jays, as well as a low-scoring start in St. Louis.
Here are my best NRFI bets for Tuesday, August 12.
Best NRFI/YRFI bets today
Cubs vs 
Blue Jays: YRFI
Red Sox vs 
Astros: YRFI
Rockies vs 
Cardinals: NRFI
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NRFI/YRFI bets for August 12
Cubs at Blue Jays: YRFI (Play at Thrillzz)
The Toronto Blue Jays are red-hot, leading the majors in OPS (.882) while plating 6.08 runs per game over the last 30 days.
They'll be at home to face struggling Chicago Cubs righty Ben Brown today. In 15 starts, Brown has pitched to a 6.30 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP. He's been brutal in the opening frame, where he has a 9.00 ERA and .297 OBA.
The Jays will counter with Jose Berrios, who is in the bottom 25th percentile in expected ERA (4.60) and the bottom 15th in barrel rate. The Cubs have been in a bit of a slump lately, but they still rank fifth in the majors in OPS (.760) and fourth in barrel rate.
- Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: TBS
- Bet: YRFI
Red Sox at Astros: YRFI (Play at Thrillzz)
Over the last 15 days, the Boston Red Sox are fifth in the majors in OPS (.795) while the Houston Astros are sixth (.785).
They also have a pair of shaky starters on the mound with Boston giving the pill to Dustin May and Spencer Arrighetti toeing the rubber for Houston.
May has struggled to a 4.93 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 19 starts, and he's been particularly rocked in the first inning, where he has a 6.63 ERA.
Arrighetti had a 4.53 ERA in 145 innings as a rookie last year and has a 7.44 ERA in three starts this year. He returned from a four-month stint on the IL to surrender five runs in 3 2/3 innings last week.
- Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: Space City Home Network | NESN
- Bet: YRFI
Rockies at Cardinals: NRFI (Play at Thrillzz)
Since the All-Star break, the St. Louis Cardinals are dead-last in the majors in slugging percentage (.358) while plating just 3.35 runs per game. They'll face Colorado Rockies veteran Kyle Freeland, who has struggled but tends to pitch better away from the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field.
Meanwhile, the Rockies are once again the worst-hitting team in the majors on the road, where they have an OPS of .613 and a run first inning percentage of just 15%.
They won't find it easy to generate runs against Cards lefty Matthew Liberatore and his 3.63 ERA over his last eight starts. He tends to pitch well at the beginning of games, holding opposing batters to a .293 OBP the first time through the order.
- Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest | Rockies.TV
- Bet: NRFI
❓What are NRFI and YRFI bets❓
NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) bets add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI bet is a wager that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're betting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.
A YRFI bet is the exact opposite. You're betting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.
NRFI and YRFI bets add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for bettors looking for a quick resolution.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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