The Red Sox and Diamondbacks gave us a clean first frame to kick off the week and we’ll look to build on that. We have some NRFI bets for August 17.
Tuesday has every team returning to action, and we dug through the entire lineup to find you the very best plays on the NRFI market. Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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MLB NRFI and YRFI Picks – August 18
San Francisco Giants vs. Cleveland Guardians
First Pitch – 6:40 pm EST
Progressive Field – Cleveland, OH
Broadcast – MLB TV
The Giants are first to the plate in Tuesday’s NRFI play. Despite a couple of hot hitting games, they continue to be one of the most disappointing offenses in the league this year. Not only are they in the bottom third of the league when it comes to runs scored, but they also rank 29th in terms of first inning scoring – only the Blue Jays score less in the first inning. That likely won’t be an easy habit to break with All-Star lefty Foster Griffin on the bump. He carries a top 25 ERA into action on Tuesday and has really settled into his role on the Guardians.
While the Giants have struggled with the bats this year, they’re still putting up much better numbers than the Guardians. Cleveland is one of three teams that still have not cracked the 4.00 runs per game mark. Plus, they’ve been even worse over the week. They’ve scored just 24 runs in those seven games for an average of 3.43 per game. That will be music to the ears of Carson Whisenhunt, who toes the rubber for the Giants here. While his yearlong ERA is not turning any heads, he looked sharp last time out. He beat the Astros while throwing 5.2 innings with just one run and only four hits. Against a much worse offense, he should be able to replicate at least an inning of that success.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for August 18: No (-125)
Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros
First Pitch – 8:10 pm EST
Daikin Park – Houston, TX
Broadcast – MLB TV
Cristian Javier is first on the hill in the nightcap. His numbers, similarly to Whisenhunt, aren’t going to inspire much in the way of confidence. However, that’s mostly because of a couple of brutal starts before he went on the IL. Following his return, he’s cut his ERA in half by putting up a 4.30 ERA. That includes six straight scoreless first frames, which should help the NRFI cash here. It’ll help even more when you consider that the Angels rank 27th in the majors in scoring.
The Astros are one of the few solid offenses we decided to tempt for Tuesday. They are above average in most important metrics, which means we’re really leaning on the pitching and defense of the Angels to get this one to cash. Rookie George Klassen will be making the fifth start of his young career, but has shown some really positive signs. Over his last two starts, he’s posted a 2.70 ERA and has learned to limit his walks. If he can keep that going, he should be able to survive that first frame with a zero on the board.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for August 18: No (-130)
Bonus Pick: Braves/Twins NRFI (-105)
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 +521.
If you’d like even more info to help make your NRFI and YRFI picks for August 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.
