Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (10/1)

Oct 1, 2022 - 6:24 PM

It’s the final weekend of the Major League Baseball season and things continue to intensify in a couple of tight playoff races. The Braves won last night’s series opener over the Mets and earned a share of the lead in the N.L. East with both teams now sitting at 98-59. The other exciting race is the N.L. Wild Card, where the Phillies hold a 0.5-game edge over the Brewers for the final playoff spot. The dust is far from settled, especially from a gambling standpoint. Here are my top three No Runs First Innings (NRFI) bets for today’s 16-game slate. 

Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

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Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (10/1)

Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees 

The Orioles won a 2-1 ballgame last night in New York and kept their playoff hopes alive… at least for the time being. They’re 5.0 games back of the Rays in the Wild Card with an elimination number of one, meaning if Baltimore loses or Tampa Bay wins, the O’s will not be playing playoff baseball. They’ll turn to Austin Voth today while the Yankees counter with Nestor Cortes in this divisional clash set for 1:05 p.m ET from Yankee Stadium. 

Voth has been a serviceable option for the O’s this season and comes in at 5-3 with a 4.19 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 21 appearances (16 starts). Most recently, the right-hander threw 5.0 innings against the Astros and limited them to one earned run on four hits. He struck out six in the no-decision effort. 

Cortes continues to be one of the top pitchers in baseball this season. The southpaw enters today’s game at 11-4 with a 2.56 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 27 starts. Cortes last pitched on Sunday against the Red Sox and blanked them over 6.0 frames. He allowed just one hit and a pair of walks in what turned out to be a CGSO since the game was called after six innings due to rain.

In addition to being in great form, Cortes has also dominated the Orioles. The current Baltimore roster is 11-61 (.180) against him with just three extra-base hits. On the flip side, Voth has been very effective lately. The 30-year-old hurler has posted a 2.95 ERA over five outings this month (18.1 IP). As for the head-to-head stats, Josh Donaldson has his number at 3-6 (.500) with two home runs. Other than that, DJ LaMahieu, Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres are a combined 1-4 (.250) with a single. Let’s roll with NRFI in the Bronx today. 

Bet: Orioles at Yankees NRFI (-150 via DraftKings)

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros

The Rays earned a 7-3 win last night and handed the Astros their second straight loss. Tampa sends Shane McClanahan to the bump this evening while Houston opts for Cristian Javier in this A.L. showdown slated for 7:20 p.m. ET. 

McClanahan has run into some injury issues down the stretch of this season, but he still boasts some of the best numbers in baseball. The southpaw sits at 12-7 entering today’s action with a 2.51 ERA (9th) and 0.92 WHIP (3rd). Most recently, McClanahan faced the Blue Jays and they got to him for four earned runs on six hits and two walks over 5.0 innings. The lefty was saddled with the loss and has now dropped his last two starts. 

Javier is really turning it on at the right time as he hasn’t allowed a run over his last three starts (17.0 IP). The right-hander held the Orioles scoreless over 6.0 innings on Sunday and allowed just one hit while striking out eight. Javier had to settle for a no-decision and comes into today’s game at 10-9 with a 2.65 ERA and 0.96 WHIP.

Javier’s made four starts this month and posted a 0.40 ERA and 0.63 WHIP over 22.1 innings of work. That includes an outing against the Rays last Tuesday, where he gave up just one hit and four walks over a scoreless 5.0 innings. McClanahan also pitched in that game and gave up five earned runs over 4.0 innings. However, the Astros are just 9-44 (.205) against him with two extra-base hits. Let’s call that start an outlier and hope the lefty can bounce back. Give me NRFI down in H-Town tonight. 

Bet: Rays at Astros NRFI (-180 via DraftKings) 

Chicago White Sox vs. San Diego Padres 

The White Sox took last night’s game 3-1 and handed the Padres their third consecutive loss. They’ll try to bounce back tonight as they go with Mike Clevinger. Meanwhile, the Sox turn to Dylan Cease in this interleague matchup scheduled for 8:40 p.m. ET. 

If it weren’t for Justin Verlander (-5000 via DraftKings), Dylan Cease (+2000) would have the A.L. Cy Young award just about wrapped up. The right-hander comes into tonight’s game at 14-7 with a 2.06 ERA (2nd) and 1.09 WHIP (18th). He’s also struck out the fifth-most batters with 222 punchouts. Most recently, Cease held the Tigers scoreless over 6.0 innings and allowed just four hits and three walks. 

Clevinger has been decent this season and sits at 6-7 with a 4.49 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 22 appearances (21 starts). He last pitched on Sunday against the Rockies and got tagged for five earned runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.0 innings. It was one of those tough Coors Field games that N.L. West pitchers typically run into at least once a year. He was able to escape with a no-decision thanks to the offense putting up 13 runs in a 13-6 win. 

Clevinger is pretty familiar with some of the core White Sox hitters from his time with Cleveland. He’s limited this current lineup to 10-75 (.133) throughout his career. It’s also worth mentioning that Clev gets a lot better at home, where he’s posted a 3.07 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 44.0 innings pitched. As for Cease, look for him to come into this game motivated and put the cherry on top of a fantastic season. The 26-year-old has pitched five times this month and posted four quality starts with a 1.13 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. Let’s lock in NRFI tonight for the White Sox vs. Padres game.

Bet: White Sox at Padres NRFI (-155 via DraftKings)

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