Best NRFI Bets Today: Division Rivalries Take Center Stage

We have a pair of great NRFI bets from a pair of division rivalries today. The first comes from an NL Central battle between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers. The other comes from the AL Central as the Cleveland Guardians and Kanas City Royals face off.

We will share why we are locking in these NRFI bets below, as well as share odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. If you are looking to sign up with FanDuel to win, be sure to use our custom link for a chance to earn $150 in Bonus Bets. 

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Best NRFI Bets Today: Cubs vs. Brewers (4:10 PM EST)

Under 0.5 Runs (at FanDuel Sportsbook)

This is one of the most underrated pitching matchups of the day, so we are locking in our NRFI bet. The first half of that matchup is Justin Steele (0-3, 3.08 ERA, 1.06 WHIP), who will be starting for the Cubs. The veteran missed April with an injury and had a rough run after his return. However, Steel has looked like his old self over his last six starts, posting an ERA of 1.38. 

Steele’s hot streak began with a start against the Brewers. He threw seven shutout innings and allowed just three hits, though the Cubs bullpen would cost him the win. The Brewers lineup is putting up monster numbers this season, but Justin Steele is one of the best pitchers in baseball when healthy. Opponents are batting just .132 when facing the veteran for the first time in a game, giving us plenty of reason to bank on a clean first inning.

After a brutal start to his MLB career, Tobias Myers (5-2, 3.12 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) has been one of the best pitchers in the league in June. He owns a 0.71 ERA over four starts (25 ⅓ innings). Myers has nasty stuff and can now keep it under control, leading to a solid WHIP and ERA on the season. 

Myers faced the Cubs in his third career start and was undone by his control issues. A lot has changed since then for both Myers and the Cubs offense, which now ranks twenty-fifth in batting average (.230) and eighteenth in runs scored. Chicago has gone scoreless in the first inning in 79.3% of their games this season, the sixth-highest rate in the league. We expect them to add another scoreless first inning tonight. 

Best NRFI Bets Today: Guardians vs. Royals (4:10 PM EST)

Under 0.5 (at FanDuel Sportsbook)

The Guardians are one of the best teams in baseball, but they’ll be facing a significant challenge on the mound in Cole Ragans (5-5, 3.03 ERA, 1.15 WHIP). The 26-year-old has been incredible since being traded to the Royals last season. He’s been near perfect Since May 17, posting a 1.84 ERA. That run includes starts against very good lineups, including the Dodgers, Padres, and Twins.

The Guardians have been scoring a ton of runs this season, but they are going scoreless in the first inning in 72.2% of games. Combine that with Ragan’s .182 OBA the first time through a lineup, and you have a recipe for a quiet first inning.

Cleveland will also have a talented young starter on the mound in Tanner Bibee (6-2, 3.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP). The righty is a big reason for the team’s unexpected success this season. He is coming off one of his best starts, holding the Orioles to one run over six innings. His most impressive performances have come while away from Cleveland, where he owns a 2.66 ERA.

While he delivered a mediocre outing against the Royals earlier this month, much has changed. Kansas City has struggled poorly since that series, winning just one series. Their early season confidence is gone, making this a very different team from the one that got to Ragans earlier this month. 

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