MLB NRFI Odds, Expert Pick & Prediction: Justin Verlander & Adrian Martinez Should Ace Opening Frame (Friday, September 16)
Mike Stobe/Getty Images. Pictured: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros.
- The Astros host the A's on Friday night in Houston.
- The Astros will send Justin Verlander to the mound while the A's will counter with Adrian Martinez.
- NRFI analyst Shayne Trail breaks down the matchup and shares his best bet below.
Shayne Trail breaks down his favorite NRFI/YRFI bet of the day below, but you can follow all of his bets in the Action Network app.
No Runs First Inning (-140)
| Matchup | A. Martinez (Athletics) vs. J. Verlander (Astros) |
| First Pitch | 8:10 p.m. ET |
| Best Line | FanDuel |
On Friday, we travel to Houston to find value in a NRFI between two American League West opponents: the Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics.
The Astros will send out their ace in Justin Verlander. Entering Friday, Verlander is 23-1 to the NRFI with a perfect 12-0 home NRFI split. He has dominated batters the first time through the order as they only have 34 hits in 200 at-bats (.167) this season. On top of this, Verlander has also dominated opponents' leadoff hitters as they have only 11 hits in 72 at-bats (.153).
Here’s how Verlander has done against some of these Oakland hitters:
Ramon Laureano: 2-for-12
Seth Brown: 1-for-8
Tony Kemp: 0-for-3
Sean Murphy: 1-for-3
It should be noted that Laureano, who is projected to bat fifth today, is in the midst of a slump as he has a .120 average over his last 24 at-bats.
The Athletics will counter with Adrián Martinez. Coming into today, Martinez is a strong 7-1 to the NRFI with a 3-1 road NRFI split. He has thrived against leadoff hitters as they have just four hits in 21 at-bats (.190) against him this season. More importantly, he hasn't walked a single leadoff hitter in 2022.
Martinez also hasn't pitched against any of these Astros hitters in his career, leaving him the edge of unfamiliarity.
The Astros bats have been struggling as of late in the first inning as the NRFI has hit in seven of their last 10 games. On the other side, the Athletics have hit the NRFI 73% of the time in 2022.
Bet on these two proficient NRFI pitchers to dominate the first inning today in Houston.
As always, six outs to glory…
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