Best NRFI Bets Today: Brewers vs. Cubs Highlights Thursday’s NRFI Bets

The Brewers and Cubs will battle on Thursday in what should be a low-scoring affair. This is the perfect combination for an NRFI wager. 

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Brewers vs. Cubs - Quinn Priester vs. Shota Imanaga (2:20 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-160) at Hard Rock Sportsbook

The Brewers will look to stay hot in their series finale against the Cubs on Friday. Quinn Priester will get the ball for Milwaukee against Shota Imanaga and Chicago. 

Priester enters this game with an insane record of 11-2 with a 3.48 ERA. He has thrown 124 innings on the season and has fanned 100 batters. 

Priester’s 1.24 WHIP is one of the best in baseball, and I expect him to keep shutting down offenses as the season develops. He is a significant contributor to Milwaukee’s success in 2025. 

Imanaga comes into this game at 8-5 with a 3.06 ERA. He has battled an injury throughout the season, but he is one of the best pitchers in the game when healthy. 

Imanaga has a 0.95 WHIP and has struck out 85 batters in 103 innings. His last start was against the Pirates, where he pitched seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits. 

Neither starter gets a ton of strikeouts, but they both limit walks and pitch to contact. This is great for NRFI bettors because these pitchers will put pressure on the hitters. 

Both offenses have been solid in 2025, but in a critical NL Central matchup, I expect this game to get off to a slow start. 

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Cardinals vs. Rays - Sonny Gray vs. Joe Boyle (7:35 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-120) at Hard Rock Sportsbook

St. Louis takes on Tampa Bay, and both offenses have been highly inconsistent in 2025. The Cardinals will start their ace in Sonny Gray, against Joe Boyle and the Rays. 

Gray comes into this game with a record of 11-6 and a 4.30 ERA. He has not received a ton of run support from the Cardinals, but he’s a great competitor. 

Gray is one of the best strikeout pitchers in the game, as he has recorded 155 strikeouts in 140.1 innings. Strikeouts are critical for successful NRFI wagering. 

I’m not necessarily taking this NRFI because of Joe Boyle, but I am fading the Cardinals' offense. St. Louis has nothing to play for, and they looked lost at the plate. 

Doyle has enough strong pitches to confuse the Cardinals. He is 1-2 with a 4.68 ERA in 32.3 innings. 

There isn’t a ton of pop at the top of the lineup for St. Louis, so if Doyle stays ahead in the count, I think we will cash this NRFI. I trust Gray to shut down Tampa Bay’s offense and cruise in this contest. 

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Best YRFI Bets Today

• Dodgers vs. Rockies - Clayton Kershaw vs. Chase Dollander: Dollander is 2-9 with a 6.43 ERA this season. He now faces one of the best offenses in baseball. 

• Giants vs. Padres - Justin Verlander vs. Dylan Cease: Verlander is 1-9 in 2025 as he isn’t catching any breaks the older he gets. Cease hasn’t been much better as he is 5-11. Both offenses have the ability to put up big numbers at the plate.

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