Best NRFI Bets Today: NL West Matchup Highlights the Slate

Elite pitchers are taking the mound on Friday, and this means there are excellent NRFI betting opportunities. I have selected two for the slate on Hard Rock Sportsbook.

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Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks - Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Zac Gallen (3:40 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-115) at Hard Rock Sportsbook

The Dodgers and Diamondbacks rank in the top eight in terms of team batting average, but I believe the pitchers will shine on Thursday. Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets the start for Los Angeles against Zac Gallen and Arizona.

The Dodgers are sitting pretty for the playoffs, but the Diamondbacks are one game back from a Wild Card position. There’s no doubt in my mind Gallen will be ready to deliver in a big moment for Arizona.

Gallen enters this game with a record of 13-14 and a 4.70 ERA. This season has been extremely disappointing for him because he has been a top pitcher in the league over the past few seasons.

Yet, Gallen has pitched extremely well over his last two starts, throwing a combined 13 innings while only allowing four runs. His strikeout numbers have been solid, and this will be critical to maintain against the Dodgers.

Yamamoto comes in with a 2.58 ERA in 167.2 innings. He’s one of the best strikeout pitchers in the league as he has fanned 194 batters in 2025.

In Yamamoto’s last three starts he has pitched 21 innings allowing just two runs. He should maintain this success on Thursday.

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Mets vs. Cubs - Nolan McLean vs. Shota Imanaga (7:40 PM EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-130) at Hard Rock Sportsbook

The second NRFI I’m taking is in the Mets vs Cubs game. Nolan McLean will get the ball for New York against Shota Imanaga and Chicago.

Both teams currently hold playoff spots, but the Mets have a little more to play for in the last week of the year. The Cubs have already clinched, while the Mets hold a one game lead in the NL Wild-Card.

McLean has only pitched 42.2 innings this season, but he has been tremendous. He is 4-1 with a 1.27 ERA, and has struck out 46 batters.

The Mets trust McLean right now as he’s been arguably their best pitcher as of late. His recent pitching is a reason to back him in this spot.

Imanaga has posted a great year in Chicago as he has a 3.37 ERA in 139 innings. In his last three starts, he’s allowed three runs per game so it’s time for him to get back on track.

The Mets are hitting .251 as a team which is the tenth best in baseball, and the Cubs aren't too far behind them hitting .249. McLean and Imanaga will have to pitch at their best and I think they will shut down the offenses to cash this NRFI.

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Best YRFI Bets Today

• Marlins vs. Phillies - Janson Junk vs. Walker Buehler: Both pitchers have ERA’s north of 5.00, and the offenses rank in the top seven in team batting average. I expect plenty of runs early in the game. 

• Royals vs. Angels - Michael Lorenzen vs. Mitch Farris: Both clubs don’t really have anything to play for and Farris is 1-2 with a 6.52 ERA. Lorenzen hasn’t been much better and I trust the offenses to take advantage

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