MLB NRFI Odds, Picks, Predictions: Expect Justin Steele, Jose Quintana to Shut Down Scoring Early in Cubs vs. Pirates (Thursday, June 23)
Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images. Pictured: Justin Steele
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.
Cubs vs. Pirates — No Runs First Inning (-108)
| Matchup | Cardinals (Wainwright) vs. Brewers (Lauer) |
| First Pitch | 12:35 p.m. ET |
| Best Line | FanDuel |
On Thursday, we head to PNC Park to play a NRFI between two National League teams.
Justin Steele's NRFI success since entering the league is remarkable. 12-1 in 2022 now makes him 20-2 since 2021. When facing hitters the first time through the order, Steele is holding hitters to a .209 average.
Here is how Steele has fared against these Pirates batters:
- Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1-for-1
- Bryan Reynolds: 1-for-4
- Michael Chavis: 1-for-5
- Diego Castillo: 0-for-2
The Pirates, to no surprise, are an inefficient first-inning hitting team. They are hitting the NRFI as a team 75% of the time, going 27-9 to the NRFI when playing at home. It should be noted their leadoff hitter Hayes is also slumping, in his last seven days, hitting just .190.
On the other side, we have the second coming of Jose Quintana. With an 11-2 2022 NRFI record, this now brings him to 18-4 since 2021. In 47 first-inning batters, Quintana is holding hitters to an impressive .136 average along with only allowing two walks thus far.
Here are some past notable matchups for Quintana:
- Willson Contreras: 0-for-3
- Patrick Wisdom: 0-for-2
- Ian Happ: 1-for-2
Also note that Yan Gomes, who is projected to bat fourth today, is 3-for-21 against Quintana.
The Cubs are a well-known proficient first-inning hitting team, but they haven’t achieved a YRFI in their last three games, and regression has set in for an overachieving team.
Take these two 10-plus win NRFI pitchers to have a collective three up three down first inning. Take the NRFI between the Cubs and the Pirates.
For all of Shayne Trail's favorite NRFI/YRFI bets, follow him in the Action Network app.
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