MLB NRFI Odds & Picks: Monday’s Value Lies on Jakob Junis & Tyler Gilbert

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.

Giants vs. Diamondbacks — No Runs First Inning (+102)

On Monday, we head to the desert to find value in an NRFI between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Jacob Junis is slowly becoming an outstanding NRFI pitcher in 2022. Heading into today, he holds a perfect 7-0 NRFI record, with three of the wins coming on the road.

In 26 first-inning batters faced, he has issued just two walks and three hits while holding his opponents to a respectable .125 batting average.

Inside this first-inning dominance, he is holding teams, leadoff hitters, to just a .160 average. Oddly enough he holds a reverse road split as well with 29 innings pitched at home he holds a 4.03 ERA in comparison to his 1.71 road ERA in 21 innings pitched.

Junis hasn’t faced the majority of these Diamondbacks hitters in his career, leaving the edge of unfamiliarity in his favor. His best matchup today is against Ketel Marte, who's 0-for-3 against Junis.

Overall, the Diamondbacks hitters aren’t very threading in the first inning. They've achieved the NRFI 74% of the time this season.

The Diamondbacks will counter with Tyler Gilbert.

Like Junis, he's slowly becoming a great NRFI option. In his second season in the majors, he's 10-2 to the NRFI, including his 5-1 NRFI record this season.

In 49 career first-inning batters faced, Gilbert has issued only five walks and nine hits while holding his opponents to a .209 first-inning average.

He has been terrific when facing hitters the first time through the lineup, allowing just a .175 average.

Like Junis, Gilbert has a rather small sample size against these Diamondback hitters. His most favorable matchups are:

• Darin Ruf: 1-for-3
• Joc Pederson: 0-for-1

Some Giants hitters have also been extremely inefficient at the plate in the last week:

• Wilmer Flores: 2-for-15
• Brandon Belt: 1-for-13
• Austin Slater: 2-for-12

Since July began, the Giants have been one of the worst first-inning offenses in baseball. With 11 hits in 78 plate appearances, they rank 29th in first inning average at .159. They also rank 28th in first-inning hard contact at 18.8%.

The Giants also struggle on the road, achieving an NRFI 79% of the time when on the road in 2022.

Bet on these two very proficient NRFI pitchers to have a collective three-up, three-down first inning. Take the NRFI between the Giants and the Diamondbacks.

As always, six outs to glory…

For all of Shayne Trail's favorite NRFI/YRFI bets, follow him in the Action Network app.