Best NRFI Bets Today: The AL Cy Young Favorite Takes the Mound

Tarik Skubal is one of the best pitchers in baseball and he will take the mound for the Tigers on Thursday. This is just one of our NRFI wagers on the slate. 

Looking for more MLB betting insights? Check our selection of the Best MLB Home Run Props Today.

Odds for NRFI bets today are provided by Hard Rock Bet. It's a sportsbook that has great promotions for baseball season, and this will continue through the playoffs. New customers who sign up for a Hard Rock Bet account today can get $150 in bonus bets when they wager $5 on the app.

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Cubs vs. Blue Jays - Matthew Boyd vs. Max Scherzer (3:07 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-120) at Hard Rock Sportsbook

Matthew Boyd has turned some heads this season with his strong performances week after week. He will get the start for Chicago against Max Scherzer and Toronto. 

The Cubs have slowed down tremendously as of late because their offense has been nonexistent. The good news for Chicago is that Boyd will take the mound and he is 11-5 with a 2.45 ERA. 

In 135.2 innings, Boyd has struck out 121 batters and has a 1.05 WHIP. He has solidified himself as the Cubs' number one arm this season. 

The Blue Jays will go with Scherzer who is 2-2 with a 4.21 ERA. He is definitely showing signs of ageing, but he can still compete at a high level. 

In Scherzer’s last two starts he has pitched 12 innings, allowing only three runs while striking out ten. If he can repeat this performance, the NRFI is very attainable. 

Both offenses have been outstanding this season as Toronto leads the league in team batting average hitting .270 as a club. Chicago is not far behind as they have the eighth-best team average. 

The offenses don't worry me, considering there are two great pitchers in this game and I trust them to compete.

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Tigers vs. Twins - Tarik Skubal vs. Bailey Ober (7:40 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-145) at Hard Rock Sportsbook

Tarik Skubal is -425 to win the AL Cy Young award this season. He has easily been the best arm in baseball in 2025 and should win AL Cy Young. 

The Twins will go with Bailey Ober who has struggled at times this season, but he is coming off a terrific start last week. Ober pitched six innings of one run baseball against the Royals. 

Skubal’s stats are heavenly for NRFI bettors. He is 11-3 with a 2.35 ERA in 145.1 innings. 

Skubal has the third most strikeouts in the league behind Zack Wheeler and Garrett Crochet. Minnesota’s offense has struggled so Skubal shouldn't have a problem cruising in this game. 

The Tigers' offense has been dormant since the All-Star break. At one time they were the best team in baseball, but this ship has sailed. 

Detroit has the 13th best team batting average, which is still average but not where they were in the first-half of the season. I think Ober can challenge Detroit at the plate on Thursday. 

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Best YRFI Bets Today

• Diamondbacks vs. Rockies - Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Bradley Blalock: These same two pitchers squared off just five days ago and Blalock allowed five runs in 4.2 innings. Rodriguez also allowed five runs which means this contest should supply plenty of scoring.

• Mariners vs. Orioles - Logan Evans vs. Tomoyuki Sugano: This matchup features two inconsistent pitchers that both love to allow home runs. Expect plenty of scoring in this game.

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