Best NRFI Bets Today: Expect No Early Runs Between the Athletics and White Sox

With two productive pitchers set to take the mound to battle it out against two anemic offenses, we start Friday’s slate of NRFIs targeting the matchup between the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox. Minutes before that takes place, we turn our attention towards the contest between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians as both offenses should continue to struggle with getting into scoring position.

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 a NRFI, it’s vital to acquire as many sportsbooks as you can get in order to line shop the volatile market. Each sportsbook has their own unique signup bonus, giving new users a head start to their bankroll to wager with. FanDuel Sportsbook for example is giving new users $200 in bonus bets for simply creating an account and making an initial wager of at least $5.

Oakland Athletics vs. Chicago White Sox - Brady Basso vs. Garrett Crochet (7:40 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-113) at FanDuel

It may not be the prettiest matchup on paper, but Friday night’s contest between the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox fits the mold for a valuable NRFI as a pair of productive arms are set to throw against two of the worst offenses in the league. Both clubs never managed to field a productive offense this season as both lineups enter the last few weeks of play ranked well below league average in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage.

The White Sox lack of offensive production has been a major reason for their inability to win this season as Chicago sits comfortably at the bottom of the overall standings with a 33-114 record. The next lowest record in the league is a tie between the Miami Marlins and Colorado Rockies as both clubs are 55-92.

Against the Athletics Brady Basso, the White Sox offense will continue to struggle with generating offensive production as Basso has flashed brilliance in his brief appearances so far this season. In four outings, Basso has been dominant as he takes the mound with an ERA of 1.93, a WHIP of 0.750, and a FIP of 2.96. Against an offense that struggles to make contact at a competitive rate, expect Basso to make quick work of the White Sox top of their order.

On the other side of the mound, the Athletics draw a more seasoned pitcher as Garrett Crochet is set to take the mound. Crochet has been one of the White Sox lone sources of consistent production as he enters the contest with an ERA of 3.83, a WHIP of 1.097, a FIP of 2.90, and just 115 Hits Against in 134 Innings Pitched. Even when supported by a defense that ranks near dead last in Defensive Efficiency, expect Crochet to continue to keep the Athletics batters off the bases.

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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians - Zack Littell vs. Tanner Bibee (7:10 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-120) at FanDuel

With less than 20 games remaining and a 4.5 game lead for first in the AL Central standings, the Cleveland Guardians have a great opportunity to grow their lead in a matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays. Not only does a win move them one step closer to securing a division title, but the Guardians are also in a position to grab one of the two byes in the playoffs to help bolster their chances of making a run to the World Series.

With the Guardians Tanner Bibee set to take the mound, the Rays offense are in a position to continue to struggle as Bibee has excelled at avoiding contact. With Bibee averaging less than one Hit Against per Inning Pitched while generating a WHIP of 1.130, expect the Guardians pitcher to make quick work of a Rays offense that ranks well below league average in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage.

As for the Rays, they roll out Zack Littell who gets the benefit of throwing against a Guardians offense that has continued to regress in the second half of the season. An oddity for a team that possesses one of the best records in the AL, yet the Guardians have continued to struggle with making contact and getting on base at a league average rate. That bodes well for Littell as he has struggled with keeping opposing runners off the bases as his WHIP of 1.334 indicates.

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