MLB NRFI Bets, Expert Picks Today | A Custom Pick for Jeffrey Springs, Tanner Houck (Saturday, April 8)
Julio Aguilar/Getty Images. Pictured: Rays pitcher Jeffrey Springs.
Shayne Trail breaks down his favorite NRFI/YRFI bets of the day below, but you can follow all of his bets in the Action Network app.
| Matchup | S. Fujinami (A's) vs. J. Springs (Rays) |
| First Pitch | 4:10 p.m. ET |
| Matchup | T. Houck (Red Sox) vs. J. Wentz (Tigers) |
| First Pitch | 4:10 p.m. ET |
Today, we will create a custom No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bet by analyzing the performances of two pitchers. This personalized bet can be crafted through sportsbooks such as DraftKings and Barstool Sportsbook.
This NRFI bet is different from a traditional NRFI, as it combines two separate half-innings from the first innings of two different games. This approach allows you to tailor the bet to your preferences.
Our top pick today is Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jeffrey Springs. Springs put together plenty of solid performances last season, posting a 20-5 NRFI record and an impressive 11-1 home NRFI split.
Springs has continued this trend in 2023, achieving an NRFI in his first start. The Oakland Athletics — a team we often target for first-inning picks — have maintained their pattern this season, with a mere three first-inning hits in 28 plate appearances for a .125 average.
Springs has limited experience against the majority of Oakland's hitters, which works in his favor. However, he has kept the players he has faced in check. Ramon Laureano, Tony Kemp and Jace Peterson have combined to go 0-for-12 against the Rays hurler.
Seth Brown may pose a challenge today, as he has gone 2-for-3 with a home run in his plate appearances against Springs.
Our second selection for today is Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Tanner Houck. Last season, Houck achieved a 4-0 NRFI record, contributing to his impressive 19-2 total since 2020.
When facing hitters for the first time through the order, Tanner has allowed a .216 average with 37 hits in 171 at-bats. The Detroit Tigers, who own the worst first-inning batting average in MLB, have managed just three hits in 26 plate appearances this season. Additionally, the Tigers have the second-highest strikeout percentage in the first inning at 42.3%.
Houck is expected to face Nick Maton and Javier Báez, who have xBA marks of .146 and .166, respectively.
Like Springs, Houck has limited experience against the Tigers' hitters, which could work in his favor. Among the hitters he has faced, he has managed to maintain respectable numbers. Austin Meadows has gone 0-for-2 , while Jonathan Schoop is 0-for-1.
This NRFI is -200 at DraftKings.
As always, six outs to glory…
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