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 18. 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 18. Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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MLB NRFI and YRFI Picks – May 18
Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
First Pitch – 6:05 pm EST
Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Broadcast – MLB TV
Mackenzie Gore takes the mound for the visting Nationals on Saturday, and I like his chances to guide us to an NRFI. The Philies top of the order is mostly led by lefties – Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Alec Bohm. On top of that, all of their top three hitters have missed games due to injury this week.
Their banged up, lefty-heavy lineup should help the already good Gore – who comes into the game with a 3.38 ERA. He’s held his opponents to two or fewer earned runs in each of the last two starts. He’s held them to three or fewer in every start he’s had this year.
On the other side, I think we can feel good about Christopher Sanzhez’s abilities to get Washington out early. The Nationals are dead last in first inning runs at just 0.21 per game. They’re 22nd overall in run scoring. Sanchez has been no slouch this year either. He’s held his opponents to one run or less in three of his last four starts.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for May 18: No (-135)
Deroit Tigers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
First Pitch – 8:10 pm EST
Chase Field – Phoenix, Arizona
Broadcast – MLB TV
Zac Gallen finished third in Cy Young voting last year and has started the year on that same trajectory again. He’s rocking a 2.86 ERA coming into Saturday’s action with a 1.11 WHIP. He’s held his opponent’s scoreless in three of hius eight starts this year. Also, apart from a rough west coast road trip, he’s limited the home runs really well. Detroit is in the bottom third of run scoring in the majors, which should make it easy for Gallen to get us through the top half of the inning.
The bottom half of the inning belongs to Jack Flaherty. Flaherty hasn’t quite been what the Tigers have hoped for, but he has held his opponents to three or less runs in five of his last six starts. In his last start, he held the Astros scoreless until the 6th, when he started to tire a bit. Arizona’s offense has cooled a bit since their first start, and that helps me feel good about this NRFI.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for May 18: No (-135)
If you’d like even more info to help make your NRFI picks for May 18, 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.
