Best NRFI Bets Today: Opening Day Part Two is Here

Opening Day has come and gone, but many teams still haven’t played their first game. Friday is the second kickoff to the season, and there are plenty of games with great pitching matchups. 

I have selected two NRFI wagers for the Friday slate where the pitchers are strong.

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

Best NRFI Bets for Friday, March 27

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Royals vs. Braves - Cole Ragans vs. Chris Sale (7:15 PM EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-138) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves square off in a matchup featuring two dominant left-handers in Cole Ragans and Chris Sale.

Ragans emerged as one of the most electric pitchers in baseball last season, thanks to his high-velocity fastball and elite strikeout ability. He posted a breakout year and consistently overwhelmed hitters early in games. 

Ragans ability to generate swings and misses makes him especially dangerous in the first inning.

Sale brings veteran dominance to the mound for Atlanta. When healthy, he is one of the toughest pitchers in baseball to face the first time through the order. 

While the Braves lineup is loaded with talent, even elite offenses can take an inning to settle in during the first week of the season. Timing is rarely perfect out of the gate, and facing a pitcher like Ragans only adds to that challenge.

Kansas City’s lineup is far less intimidating, particularly at the top of the order. Against a pitcher like Sale who thrives on getting ahead in counts, the Royals may struggle to generate any early offense.

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Guardians vs. Mariners - Gavin Williams vs. George Kirby (9:45 PM EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-140) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Cleveland Guardians take on the Seattle Mariners in a game built around pitching efficiency and command, with Gavin Williams facing George Kirby.

Kirby is one of the most precise pitchers in baseball, known for his elite command and extremely low walk rate. That’s a huge factor when targeting NRFI bets, as walks are often the biggest catalyst for early runs. 

Williams relies on power stuff to generate strikeouts. His fastball velocity and sharp breaking pitches give him the ability to escape jams, even if a hitter reaches base. 

Offensively, Cleveland is a contact-heavy team that typically needs multiple hits to score. That’s a tough formula against a pitcher like Kirby, who rarely gives up free passes. 

With one pitcher dominating through command and the other through strikeouts, both sides have the tools needed to keep the first inning clean.

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Rockies vs. Marlins - Kyle Freeland vs. Sandy Alcantara (7:10 PM EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-130) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Colorado Rockies face the Miami Marlins in a matchup where pitching and ballpark factors create sneaky NRFI value, led by Kyle Freeland and Sandy Alcantara.

Alcantara is known for his ability to dominate early in games. His heavy sinker generates weak contact and keeps hitters off balance, making it difficult for opponents to string together hits in the opening inning.

The Rockies are historically a much weaker offense away from Coors Field, and that trend is especially important here. 

Freeland isn’t as overpowering, but he is far more effective outside of Colorado. His pitch-to-contact approach can work well against a Marlins lineup that lacks elite top-end firepower. 

The ballpark also plays a role, as Miami’s home field tends to suppress power and limit extra-base hits. That further reduces the likelihood of a first-inning run.

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