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Best NRFI Bets Today: Expect the Pirates to Continue to Struggle With Making Contact

Published: September 16, 2025, 08:00 AM ET
4 min read
Best NRFI Bets Today 2025 09 16 Paul Skenes Paul Skenes

With Pittsburgh struggling to string together their Hits, expect the Pirates to continue to be held out of scoring position as they face off against Cade Horton who excels at avoiding contact. Shortly after their opening pitch, we turn our attention towards Atlanta and Washington as Chris Sale has the opportunity to put together a dominant performance against the underwhelming Nationals top of their order.

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

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Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates - Cade Horton vs. Paul Skenes (6:40 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-165) at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook

With Jacob Misiorowski struggling to round back into form after returning from injury, Cade Horton has steadily pulled away at the top of the oddsboard for the NL Rookie of the Year award. Horton has been a reliable source of production on the mound for Chicago this season as the Cubs rookie pitcher is currently averaging an ERA of 2.70, a WHIP of 1.109, and a FIP of 3.63.

Heading into Tuesday’s NL Central divisional matchup against Pittsburgh, Horton will have the opportunity to strengthen his claim for the award as he faces off against a Pirates offense who ranks well below league average in Contact Rate and in On Base Percentage. Especially with his back end excelling in coverage as the Cubs defense ranks top-5 in Defensive Efficiency and in Fielding Percentage.

On the other side of the field, negative regression looms large over the Cubs as they are set to battle it out against Paul Skenes who currently leads the NL in ERA and in FIP. His success on the mound can be attributed to his high Whiff Rate as Skenes is also averaging less than one Hit Allowed and more than one Strikeout per Inning Pitched. Barring an error, expect the Cubs to be held scoreless in the first inning.

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Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Game 2 - Chris Sale vs. MacKenzie Gore (6:45 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-135) at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook

After winning the NL Cy Young award last year, Chris Sale has carried over his momentum into this season as the Atlanta Braves ace is currently averaging an ERA of 2.52 and a WHIP of 1.121. Even with his back end ranking below league average in Defensive Efficiency, Sale possesses more than enough individual production to neutralize opposing offenses as his FIP of 2.61 indicates.

With the Washington Nationals ranking near the bottom of the board in Team Total Hits and in Slugger Percentage, expect Sale to continue to thrive as he also averages more than one Strikeout per Inning Pitched. Should the Braves pull Sale and start someone else in game two of their double header against Washington, then reduce the size of your wager.

As for MacKenzie Gore, the Nationals pitcher will have the opportunity to match Sale’s level of production as he faces off against a Braves offense who also ranks below league average in the same previously mentioned offensive metrics. While his WHIP of 1.333 seems alarming on paper, it is worth noting Gore still excels at avoiding contact as he currently averages less than one Hit Against per Inning Pitched.

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Best YRFI Bets Today

  • Los Angeles Angels vs. Milwaukee Brewers - Caden Dana vs. Freddy Peralta - The Milwaukee Brewers are in a favorable position to open up the scoring in the first inning of their contest against the Los Angeles Angels as they face off against Caden Dana who is averaging a WHIP of 1.596 and a back end who ranks in the bottom ten in Defensive Efficiency.

  • New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins - Cam Schlittler vs. Zebby Matthews - With Zebby Matthews averaging nearly two runners on base per inning, expect the New York Yankees star studded offense to get on base at a consistent rate on Tuesday night as their lineup ranks near the top of the board in Contact Rate, On Base Percentage, and in Slugger Percentage.

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Kody Malstrom WSN Contributor

Kody Malstrom

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Kody Malstrom is a sports betting journalist with six years of writing experience in the industry. He covers an abundance of sports, including College Football, NFL, College Basketball, NBA, and more. Born and raised in Michigan, Kody is a devoted Detroit Sports fan and spends his Sundays rooting for the Detroit Lions while telling himself this year is the year they win it all. When not staring at betting markets, Kody spends his free time at the beach in the summer or snowboarding in the winter.
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