Best NRFI Bets Today: Expect Skenes to Shut Down the Dodgers

Wednesday’s slate brings us one of the more highly anticipated matchups at this point of the season as the Pirates' eccentric rookie Paul Skenes takes the mound to battle it out against the World Series favorites Los Angeles Dodgers and their high powered offense. We then focus on a pitching duel between the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays with two productive arms taking the mound. For more information about the NRFI market and what factors into them being worth a wager, check out our breakdown of Daily No Run First Inning.

When looking to make a wager on an NRFI, it’s important to have as many sportsbooks as you have available to you in order to line-shop the volatile market. Each sportsbook also has their own unique signup bonus, giving new users a major boost to their bankroll during the MLB season. FanDuel Sportsbook for example is giving new users $150 in bonus bets for simply creating an account and winning their first bet of at least $5 wagered. Be sure to lay the $5 on a heavy favorite immediately after signing up, maximizing your chances of winning and collecting the $150 in bonus bets.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates - James Paxton vs. Paul Skenes (6:40 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-111) at FanDuel

Normally the Los Angeles Dodgers are a regular team to back in our daily YRFI series due to their high powered offense and unrivaled top of their batting order, but they are now a unit to fade as they are currently in the midst of a cold stretch. Coming off a goose egg in the scoring department against the Pirates in Tuesday’s matchup, the Dodgers are as vulnerable as ever due to their lack of offensive momentum.

Even for a team that ranks near the top of the league across the board in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage, the Dodgers' recent offensive struggles are poised to continue against the Pirates Paul Skenes. Skenes has managed to quickly round back into form after his underwhelming debut, coming into the contest with an ERA of 2.45, a WHIP of 0.909, 30 Strikeouts, 15 Hits Allowed, and just 6 Earned Runs Against in 4 games played.

The NL Rookie of the Year contender is in as good a position as any to shut down the Dodgers' top of the order, a unit that features MVP front runner Mookie Betts, slugger Shohei Ohtani, and elite contact hitter Freddie Freeman. Skenes has made quick work of the offenses that have faced him, routinely burning past opposing batters with his elite blend of power and accuracy.

As for the Dodgers defense, they roll out starting pitcher James Paxton who makes his 11th appearance this season. The Pirates' offense is nowhere near as productive as the Dodgers, ranking bottom-10 across the board in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage. Paxton may not be a shut down pitcher like Skenes with a WHIP of 1.385, but the Pirates' offensive struggles will help mask his inefficiencies and neutralize scoring opportunities early in the contest.

Bet on Under 0.5 Run (-111) at FanDuel 

Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays - Albert Suarez vs. Jose Berrios (7:07 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-113) at FanDuel

Shortly after the conclusion of our first NRFI, our next one gets underway with the Baltimore Orioles facing off against the Toronto Blue Jays in game three of their four game series. Normally this would have been a matchup that would shade value towards a YRFI, but both offenses have struggled mightily over the past couple of weeks and now have to try and find answers in a hurry against two productive pitchers.

Starting with the Blue Jays, it’s been as bad as it can get for an offense that was projected to be near the top of the league. As of writing, it’s been the complete opposite as they rank well below average in Team Total Hits, Runs Scored, RBIs, and On Base Percentage. Their struggles are poised to continue against the Orioles rotational pitcher Albert Suarez who excels at keeping opposing batters off the bases with a WHIP of 0.990.

As for the Blue Jays defense, they roll out familiar NRFI target Jose Berrios who has continued to string together an impressive 2024 campaign. He comes into the contest with an ERA of 2.78, a WHIP of 1.076, 58 Strikeouts, 18 Batters Walked, 62 Hits Allowed, and 23 Earned Runs Against in 12 games played. With the Orioles ranking below average in On Base Percentage, expect minimal scoring opportunities to the benefit of the NRFI.

Bet on Under 0.5 Run (-113) at FanDuel 

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