Best NRFI Bets Today: Continue to Back Seth Lugo

With the Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox struggling on offense, expect both lineups to get off to a slow start while battling it out against a pair of productive arms on the mound. For bettors closely monitoring the long-term World Series predictions, these extended offensive slumps are certainly a cause for concern.

Later in the night, we turn our attention to the Athletics with negative regression looming large over their offense as they face off against Walbert Urena, who excels at avoiding contact.

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

Best NRFI Bets for Monday, May 18

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Boston Red Sox vs. Kansas City Royals - Sonny Gray vs. Seth Lugo (7:40 PM, EST)

With the Boston Red Sox struggling to generate Hits, Seth Lugo has a great opportunity to build on his momentum by neutralizing their batters at the plate.

Under 0.5 Run (+115) at BetMGM Sportsbook

After a slow start to the year, Seth Lugo has started to round back into AL Cy Young contending form, averaging a FIP of 2.68. This steady resurgence is beginning to turn heads among bettors monitoring the latest Cy Young odds. While his current WHIP is still a cause for concern, the protection he receives from his back end helps mask it, playing alongside a defense who ranks in the top-10 in Defensive Efficiency.

In a favorable matchup against the Boston Red Sox, expect Lugo to continue to take a step forward with his production by exploiting a lineup who ranks below league average in Hit Rate, On Base Percentage, and in OPS. With the Red Sox incapable of stringing together their Hits, Lugo will be able to keep them out of scoring position, increasing his chances of keeping a clean sheet in the first inning.

On the other side of the field, Sonny Gray is projected to get the start for the Red Sox, a productive arm who is averaging a WHIP of 1.147 while generating less than one Hit Against per Inning Pitched. With the Royals grading out equally as poor as the Red Sox in Hit Rate, expect Gray to continue to avoid contact while attacking the plate and exit the first inning without conceding a Run.

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Athletics vs. Los Angeles Angels - J.T. Ginn vs. Walbert Urena (9:38 PM, EST)

After failing to break .500 in their last ten games, Walbert Urena must shut down the Athletics to help the Los Angeles Angels chip away at their lead for first in the AL West. With Oakland surprisingly holding onto the top spot, a dominant performance by Urena could trigger a noticeable shift in the current AL West odds and give Los Angeles the momentum they desperately need.

Under 0.5 Run (-105) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Since the start of the regular season, Walbert Urena has been a steady source of production for the Los Angeles Angels, averaging an ERA of 3.29 in seven games. Urena’s success stems from his command, generating less than one Hit Against per Inning Pitched.

In a divisional matchup against the Athletics, expect Urena to keep them out of scoring position by taking advantage of an offense who ranks in the bottom half of the board in Strikeout Rate and in Runs Scored. Even with his back end struggling in coverage, Urena excels at putting opposing batters in low-quality contact scenarios, lowering the probability of getting burned by an error.

In a duel against Urena, the A’s roll out J.T. Ginn who has been able to find his footing this season, averaging an ERA of 3.12 while also generating less than one Hit Against per inning. With the Angels ranking in the bottom ten in Contact Rate, expect Ginn to create Whiffs at a higher rate and hold their opponents scoreless in the first inning.

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Best YRFI Bets Today

• Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies - Nick Lodolo vs. Andrew Painter - Expect the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies to get on base early on in their contest as they battle it out against Nick Lodolo and Andrew Painter who both average a WHIP higher than 1.500.

• Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs - Brandon Sproat vs. Shota Imanaga - With Brandon Sproat on the mound, the Chicago Cubs will be able to get off to a hot start by attacking an arm who is averaging a FIP of 5.73 while supported by a defense who ranks near the bottom of the board in Defensive Efficiency.

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