Best NRFI Bets Today: A Pair of NRFIs for Jackie Robinson Day

With the Kansas City Royals residing near the bottom of the board in most offensive metrics, positive regression looms large over Jack Flaherty who has been unable to find his footing this season. Later in the night, we turn our attention towards the Tampa Bay Rays as Jesse Scholtens faces off against the Chicago White Sox who struggle with stringing together their Hits to get into scoring position.

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

Best NRFI Bets for Wednesday, April 15

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Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers - Seth Lugo vs. Jack Flaherty (6:40 PM, EST)

In a highly anticipated AL Central matchup, expect no Runs to be scored in the first inning with the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers struggling to make contact. This defensive battle could have a significant impact on the AL Central odds, as both teams remain neck-and-neck in the standings while trying to close the gap on the division-leading Minnesota Twins.

Under 0.5 Run (-120) at BetMGM Sportsbook

After proving he can be a reliable arm for Detroit to lean on last year, Jack Flaherty has fallen hard back down to reality this season, kicking off his 2026 campaign with an ERA of 5.14. Even during his cold stretch, Flaherty has still been able to avoid contact, averaging less than one Hit Against per Inning Pitched.

Luckily for Flaherty, he will have a great opportunity to round back into form against the Kansas City Royals by taking advantage of a lineup who ranks in the bottom ten in Hit Rate and in On Base Percentage. Especially with his back end reducing the amount of variance in his starts, surrounding him with a group who ranks above league average in Defensive Efficiency.

Going against Flaherty is Seth Lugo, a contender for the AL Cy Young award who is averaging a FIP of 2.62 and a WHIP of 1.075. With the Tigers grading out poorly in RBIs and in Runs Scored, expect Lugo to continue to hold them out of scoring position and keep a clean sheet in the first inning.

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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox - Jesse Scholtens vs. Sean Burke (7:40 PM, EST)

With Jesse Scholtens projected to get the start for Tampa Bay in a bullpen game, the Chicago White Sox top of their order will be neutralized at the plate as the Rays pitcher excels at avoiding contact.

Under 0.5 Run (-125) at BetMGM Sportsbook

After ranking near dead last across the board in most offensive metrics last year, the Chicago White Sox have continued to underwhelm, sitting at the bottom of the board in Contact Rate and in OPS. With the White Sox struggling on offense, they are forced to play in highly volatile contests, lowering their chances of winning.

Unfortunately for the White Sox, their struggles on offense are poised to persist against the Tampa Bay Rays as they face off against Jesse Scholtens who is averaging a FIP of 2.12. The Rays back end will also drastically narrow the width of their gaps in the outfield with their coverage, ranking seventh in Adjusted Defense Rating.

On the other side of the field, Sean Burke makes his return to the mound, facing off against a Rays offense who struggles to bring their runners home per their below league average marks in Runners Stranded and in Runs Scored. With Burke generating more than one Whiff per inning, expect the Rays to continue to underwhelm at the plate and be held scoreless in the first inning.

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Best YRFI Bets Today

• Miami Marlins vs. Atlanta Braves - Chris Paddack vs. Bryce Elder - With Chris Paddack on the mound, the Atlanta Braves will be able to get into scoring position from the opening pitch as they face off against an arm who is averaging an ERA of 6.14 and over one Hit Against per Inning Pitched.

• Cleveland Guardians vs. St. Louis Cardinals - Slade Cecconi vs. Dustin May - Even though the Cleveland Guardians and St. Louis Cardinals have struggled to score, expect Runs to be put up on the board in the first inning as they face off against a pair of pitchers who are both averaging a FIP higher than 4.50.

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