Best NRFI Bets Today: Expect No Early Runs to be Scored in a Pitchers Duel

After surrendering five runs to Cleveland in the bottom of the first inning in game one of the ALDS, the Detroit Tigers look to even the series by rolling out AL Cy Young betting favorite Tarik Skubal for game two. In an attempt to match Skubal’s production, the Guardians trot out Matthew Boyd who has excelled at avoiding contact in his brief appearances so far this season.

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Game Two: Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians - Tarik Skubal vs. Matthew Boyd (4:08 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-166) at FanDuel

After going down 0-1 to the AL Central division winning Guardians, the Tigers are in desperate need of tying up the series before hosting the next two games in Detroit. In an attempt to do so, the Tigers are set to roll out Tarik Skubal to help neutralize the Guardians offense. Skubal was arguably the best pitcher in baseball this season, finishing the year with an ERA of 2.39, a WHIP of 0.922, a FIP of 2.50, 228 Total Strikeouts, 142 Hits Against, and just 51 Earned Runs Allowed.

With his elite blend of power and accuracy on the mound, the Cleveland Guardians offense will find themselves hard pressed to generate any sort of consistent offensive production against the Tigers ace. Especially since their offense has struggled with making contact and getting into scoring position at league average rate, entering the contest ranked below league average in Team Total Hits and On Base Percentage.

Speaking of struggling offenses, the Detroit Tigers bats have cooled off after a prolonged hot stretch of play that extended all the way back to mid August. Now that the Tigers have seemingly fallen back down to reality, their offensive woes are poised to persist as they have struggled with generating offensive production this season. Entering game two of the ALDS, the Tigers offense ranks well below league average in Team Total Hits, On Base Percentage, RBIs, and Total Runs Scored.

To make matters worse for the Tigers, they are set to face off against the Guardians Matthew Boyd who has excelled at avoiding contact this season. In his eight appearances, Boyd takes the mound averaging less than one Hit Against per Inning Pitched while generating a ERA of 2.72 and a WHIP of 1.134. Boyd is also surrounded by one of the better coverage units in the league as the Guardians defense enters the contest ranked third overall in Defensive Efficiency. 

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