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 22. 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 22. Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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MLB NRFI and YRFI Picks – May 22
Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals
First Pitch – 2:10 pm EST
Kauffman Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri
Broadcast – MLB TV
Everyone is talking about the pitching matchup out of Missouri on Wednesday. So, of course, that’s a game we’re targeting for an NRFI.
Cole Ragans hasn’t quite been putting people away at the rate we were hoping at the beginning of the year. However, apart from a rough start in Los Angeles against the Angels, he’s held his last four opponents to two or fewer runs. Detroit is 19th in first inning runs at just 0.43 per game. They’re 18th in total runs as well, which makes this feel like a game where Ragans can keep his opponents at bay.
On the other side, there is even less to worry about with the arm. Tarik Skubal has been sensational this year. He’s 6-0 with a 1.80 ERA. He’s allowed two or less runs in each of his last seven starts. His last start against the Royals saw him go 7.0 innings with just one earned.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for May 22: No (-125)
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
First Pitch – 6:50 pm EST
Tropicana Field – St. Petersburg, Florida
Broadcast – NESN
Much like Ragans, the surface numbers may not look that mind-blowing for Brayan Bello, who starts for the Red Sox on Wednesday. However, he had two or fewer runs allowed in four straight starts before getting touched up a bit his last time out.
Not only has Bello been solid, but the Rays’ offense is not what it used to be. Right now, they rank 22nd in runs scored with just 4.04 per game. They’re even worse in the first inning, where their ranking drops to 23rd – giving us a good start for the NRFI.
With the top half of the inning, we have a bit more to worry about. Boston is a top-10 team in first inning runs and are a middle of the pack team in terms of overall run scoring. Lately, they have not been hot early though – they have just one first inning run in their last four games.
Pitching for the Rays is Ryan Pepiot. He’s coming off the IL with a leg injury he sustained on May 5th. Before that game, he had held his opponents to one or fewer runs in each of his last three starts. Although we might be worried about how he comes back, I think he gets us the NRFI here.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for May 22: No (-115)
If you’d like even more info to help make your NRFI picks for May 22, 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.