Best NRFI Bets Today: Target a Group of Stout Defenses on Monday Night

With the Houston Astros star studded lineup still struggling to play at a competitive level, they are as vulnerable as ever for another slow start as they face off against Kevin Gausman who currently leads the AL in WHIP. Before their opening pitch, we fade the Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins offenses as both top of their orders get the unfortunate favor of swinging against a pair of pitchers who excel at avoiding contact.

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Toronto Blue Jays vs. Houston Astros - Kevin Gausman vs. Hunter Brown (8:10 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-130) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Since the start of the regular season, the Houston Astros have yet to find their footing as they are currently in fourth place in the AL West division standings and rank below league average in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage. The Astros top of their order have been very underwhelming without Kyle Tucker in their lineup as only Jose Altuve averages more than one Hit per game and a Batting Average higher than 0.250.

Their struggles on offense are poised to persist against Toronto as the Blue Jays roll out Kevin Gausman who has been dominant in his starts this year. Not only does Gausman currently lead the AL in WHIP, but the Blue Jays pitcher is also averaging just 3.75 Hits per game and an ERA of 2.49. Even though his Strikeout Rate is low, his productive back end helps limit the amount of contact variance in his outings as Toronto’s defense ranks third overall in Defensive Efficiency.

While Gausman gets the benefit of throwing against a struggling offense, the Astros Hunter Brown draws a tougher assignment as he faces off against a Blue Jays lineup who ranks top-8 in Team Total Hits and On Base Percentage. Unfortunately for Toronto, negative regression looms large as Brown excels at keeping opposing runners off the bases and out of scoring position. In his four starts, Brown is averaging an astonishing ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 0.833.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins - Nick Lodolo vs. Max Meyer (6:40 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-125) at BetRivers Sportsbook

Speaking of struggling offenses, the Cincinnati Reds have continued to underwhelm as their lineup currently ranks in the bottom half of the board in Team Total Hits and in On Base Percentage. Other than their leadoff man TJ Friedl, no one on the Reds roster who has played in at least 10 games averages more than one Hit per game. A severely underwhelming start to the year for a team who was projected to be one of the more explosive offenses in the league.

On Monday night, the Reds offense will continue to struggle with making contact and getting on base as they are set to face off against Max Meyer who is an aggressive pitcher that creates Whiffs at a high rate. In four starts, Meyer averages less than one Hit Against and more than one Strikeout per Inning Pitched while generating an ERA of 2.63 and a WHIP of 1.125.

On the other side of the field, the Marlins have continued to surpass preseason expectations as their offense currently ranks top-10 in the same previously mentioned offensive metrics. Against Cincinnati, the Marlins will struggle to sustain their high level of play as they face off against Nick Lodolo who excels at keeping opposing runners off the bases as his WHIP of 0.814 indicates while being supported by a defense who leads the league in Defensive Efficiency.

Best YRFI Bets Today

• Chicago White Sox vs. Boston Red Sox - Jonathan Cannon vs. Walker Buehler - With Jonathan Cannon struggling to keep opposing runners off the bases by possessing a WHIP of 1.527, expect the Boston Red Sox to get into scoring position early on in their contest as their offense ranks makes contact and gets on base at an above league average rate.

• New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians - Clarke Schmidt vs. Gavin Williams - Negative regression looms large over Gavin Williams as he faces off against the reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge and the vaunted New York Yankees lineup who ranks top-8 in Team Total Hits, Total Runs Scored, RBIs, and in On Base Percentage.

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