We closed out the week on a high note. Over the past three days, this column has gone 5-1 in finding first inning gems. We look to carry that momentum into the weekend with our NRFI bets for August 23.
With every team back in action on Friday, there is plenty to sort through to find the best NRFI and YRFI props for August 23. Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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MLB NRFI and YRFI Picks – August 23
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Miami Marlins
First Pitch – 4:10 pm EST
loanDepot park – Miami, FL
Broadcast – MLB TV
Toronto gets first hacks in our NRFI action for Saturday, and that might scare off some people. They’ve been hitting the ball well and are ranked 7th in the majors in run scoring. However, they’ve been awful in the first inning – scoring just 0.41 runs per game. That puts them at 27th in the majors and barely ahead of the Rockies. That’s good news for Janson Junk, who has been pretty solid for the Marlins this year. He has a 4.04 ERA and recently grabbed a quality start against the Red Sox. Not only did he look good in that start, but he held them scoreless into the fourth inning.
On the other side, we’ve got a team that is below average in just about every offensive metric that could help us here. They’re below average scoring in the first inning, scoring in the game, and hitting home runs. That should make it easier on Jose Berrios, who has had an up and down season for the Blue Jays. While he got hit around by the Rangers a bit last time out, he had put together a nice run prior to that game. The Marlins lineup should be much easier for him and we should get a quick three outs.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for August 23: No (TBD)
Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
First Pitch – 8:10 pm EST
Chase Field – Phoenix, AZ
Broadcast – MLB TV
I understand that the Reds are a dangerous team, but I’m still backing the NRFI in this one. The first reason is that they have calmed down a bit with the bats in the last few games. Going into Friday’s action, they had scored just 19 runs in their last five games (or 3.8 per game). That rate is nearly two-thirds of a run worse than they’ve been on the year. The other reason why I think they’ll still get blanked in the first is Nabil Crismatt. That name might be familiar to some as he was an above avergae reliever in the early 2020s. He appeared in nearly 100 games over a two-year stretch and is back now as a starter. The stuff looks great and his first start was phenomenal. Look for him to build on that success here.
The Diamondbacks have also been a good hitting team this year. However, they’re fresh off a series with the Guardians where they scored only 10 total runs in the three-game set. Now they have to try to turn it around against Al-Star Andrew Abbott. Abbott is running a 2.28 ERA at the moment, which puts him second in the majors amongst qualified starters. He’s fresh off 7.0 scoreless innings against the white-hot Brewers. If he could keep them quiet, the Diamondbacks should be of no concern to him – espeically not for three outs.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for August 23: No (TBD)
If you’d like even more info to help make your NRFI and YRFI picks for August 23, 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.
