My NRFI picks for today feature the first game of tonight's MLB slate, Mets vs. Cardinals, and the last, Phillies vs. Dodgers, because why not start strong and finisher stronger! We're going to ease our way into runs for the Monday games with a NRFI bet for New York vs St. Louis while finishing the night off with some runs with a YRFI pick for LA vs Philadelphia.
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NRFI Pick Today: Mets vs Cardinals (-110)
The first stat that grabbed my eye for the NRFI pick in the Mets vs Cardinals game was New York sitting in third in NRFI stats in 2024 and are the No. 1 team for no runs in the first inning for road games. It just so happens, that the two men on the bump, Sean Manaea (NYM) and Andre Pallante (STL), are also NRFI betting machines with the two combining for just five runs over 31 innings.
This New York hasn't had a lot looks at Pallante, combining for 33 at bats and holding a .212 average and just one extra base hit. Mets SS Francisco will be toward the top of the lineup and has found some success against the righty, going 2-for-6 with a walk as well, so he could be a bet breaker if he gets on base to stir up the start of the game.
On the other side of the field is Sean Manea who faced this Cardinals lineup in early May, holding the club scoreless through five innings. Generally in his career, though, these St. Louis batters have seen Manaea well, batting .356 over 59 at bats, including five home runs. Wilson Contreras is one of those guys that has hit the lefty well, going 4-for-8 with two home runs in their career meetings. Contreras was in the second spot in the lineup for Sunday Night Baseball last night so keep an eye on that AB for our NRFI bet to cash.
YRFI Pick Today: Phillies vs Dodgers (-105)
I want to close the night with a YRFI bet for the Philadelphia vs Los Angeles game because everyone loves offense and it's a perfect way to go to bed — offense and a winning YRFI pick. Beyond that, we have stats to back up my emotional want for this bet, notably Phillies starter Aaron Nola's difficulties opening games this year. The righty sports a 3.27 first-inning ERA and has allowed nine runs through 22 innings — second inning is worse by the way, 5.32 ERA if you're looking for a live bet option.
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The one matchup I'm really looking forward to for this YRFI bet to cash is Nola vs Ohtani. The current NL MVP favorite went 0-3 with two strikeouts in his only time seeing Nola just shy of a month ago. I can see where this would give a bettor pause but I'm putting my money on a damn competitor and Ohtani to get revenge to start the train en route to a YRFI.