Some people like to sweat out a bet for 9 hard innings – others like immediate satisfaction. Count us as being in the latter, which is why we like to get down with MLB NRFI and YRFI picks. And we’ve decided to pass that knowledge on to you with our NRFI bets for May 1. Go here for MLB World Series odds.
Of course, there are plenty out there taking blind guesses at this stuff. It’s easy to pick the best hitting team or look at what happened in the last game. However, we spent the time pouring through the analytics to make sure that we give you the best odds to stay in the green on these NRFI and YRFI props for May 1. Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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MLB NRFI and YRFI Picks – May 1
Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets
First Pitch – 7:10 pm EST
Citi Field – Queens, New York
Broadcast – MLB TV
The Cubs’ offense has been pretty stagnant the last few games. Over the past three games (prior to Tuesday’s action), the Cubs had averaged 2.33 runs per game, which is under half of their season average. They also haven’t scored in the first inning of any of those games and didn’t score in the first inning Tuesday night either. They’ll face Jose Butto, who rides his 2.86 ERA into Wednesday’s action.
On the other side of things, I’m not high on what the Mets are doing offensively. However, that’s not what’s keeping me on the NRFI here. The NRFI play on this side is all about Shota Imanaga. Over five starts in MLB, he has a 0.98 ERA and is striking out more than one inning. I expect this one to be low-scoring from start to finish, so of course, I like the NRFI.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for May 1: No (-125)
Cleveland Guardians vs. Houston Astros
First Pitch – 8:10 pm EST
Minute Maid Park – Houston, Texas
Broadcast – MLB TV
Houston’s offense has been surprisingly bad this season. They’re in the bottom half of the league with 4.36 runs per game. They’ll face Triston McKenzie, who had a rough first few starts. However, since then, he’s settled in and has only allowed three earned over his last nine innings. He’s also nabbed 13 strikeouts in his last two starts – compared to just five over the first three starts. That uptick in production gives me faith that he’ll keep the Astros at bay for an inning.
Cleveland is another team on a downward trend. Despite being in the top five for runs scored, they have only scored three a game over the last three (heading into Tuesday’s action). Now they’ll face Justin Verlander, who looks like his own self in his short sample size this year. He has allowed just two earned in 10.1 innings, and that tells me he’s ready to stifle these Guardians.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for May 1: No (-120)
If you’d like even more info to help make your NRFI picks for May 1, check out the MLB Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar with their MLB picks today.
