The Cubs and Blue Jays scored just one run in the first six innings, but still managed to mess up our NRFI play. We’ll look to rebound from that on Friday. We have some NRFI bets for August 7.
All of the teams are in action on Saturday and we dug through all the games to find you the gems. Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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MLB NRFI and YRFI Picks – August 7
Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals
First Pitch – 8:10 pm EST
Kauffman Stadium – Kansas City, MO
Broadcast – MLB TV
The Cubs are first to the dish in this selection. While they are in the top five of run scoring, they have not been particularly potent in the first inning. They rank 19th in first inning runs per game. That’s good news for Friday’s opener, Daniel Lynch IV. I typically would not lean on an opener in an NRFI play, but Lynch breaks that mold. He enters action with a 1.95 ERA and last allowed a run on June 27. That’s 12.0 straight scoreless innings with only six hits and one walk allowed in that span. He should be able to get through one more inning for us here.
In the bottom of the first, we’ll get our first look at Kevin Gausman in a Cubs uniform. Gausman ranks in the top 25 of the majors in strikeouts and has been chipping away at his ERA mark. His last outing with the Blue Jays was a help – going 5.2 innings with just one run allowed. Now he’ll face a Kansas City team that ranks 27th in run scoring with just 4.14 runs per game. They have been worse than that over the last week and it should help Gausman settle into his new digs.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for August 7: No (+100)
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Seattle Mariners
First Pitch – 9:45 pm EST
T-Mobile Park – Seattle, WA
Broadcast – Apple TV
Tampa Bay has steadily been rising up the run scoring leaderboard. However, they are still smack in the middle of the pack in run scoring and first inning scoring. Logan Gilbert will get the ball for the Mariners, and he’s well above average. He ranks in the top 25 of ERA, WHIP and strikeouts. In fact, he’s one of just five qualified pitchers who has a sub-1.00 WHIP. That ability to keep guys off the bags should bode well for us in this one.
In the bottom of the inning, the Mariners get their swings. That’s always good news for NRFI bettors, as the Mariners are one of the worst hitting teams in the league. They are one of just three teams that comes in under 4.00 runs per game, putting them 29th in the majors. They’re 27th in first inning scoring and haven’t put up a first inning run all week. That’s bad news when you have to face Drew Rasmussen. He’s one of the other four pitchers with a sub-1.00 WHIP and he ranks 12th in the majors with a 2.93 ERA. His last two outings (13.0 innings) has seen him rack up 19 strikeouts without a run and only five hits allowed. The Mariners don’t stand a chance against him on Friday.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for August 7: No (-140)
Bonus Pick: Orioles/Rangers NRFI (-120)
Looking to put together a three-pick parlay? This extra play may just be the piece that you’re looking for. Throw it together with the other two to net a three-pick parlay for +528.
If you’d like even more info to help make your NRFI and YRFI picks for August 7, 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.
