Best NRFI Bets Today: Strider Headlines a Strong First-Inning Slate

Thursday's MLB card features several intriguing NRFI opportunities, including one of the most reliable young pitchers in baseball taking the mound in Baltimore. While a few of these matchups carry offensive upside, the starting pitching is strong enough to warrant backing scoreless first innings.

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

Odds for today's NRFIs are provided by DraftKings Sportsbook. Sign up for a DraftKings account today and claim your welcome bonus: Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly. More info on this offer can be found in our detailed DraftKings Sportsbook review.

If you are in a state where DraftKings Sportsbook is not yet legal, we recommend trying Kalshi, one of the best prediction markets in the US. Sign up using Kalshi promo code WSN to get a $10 bonus after making 100 contracts.

Mariners vs. Orioles - Bryan Woo vs. Kyle Bradish (7:05 PM EST)

The Mariners and Orioles are each trying to stay alive in the American League playoff race. 

Under 0.5 Run (-140) at DraftKings

Bryan Woo has been outstanding this season, posting a 3.74 ERA and an elite 1.00 WHIP over 77 innings. The right-hander has surrendered only 63 hits while striking out 75 batters and issuing just 14 walks.

Few pitchers have been better at avoiding traffic on the bases, which is exactly what bettors want when backing a NRFI.

Bradish has been less efficient, but he still brings plenty of strikeout upside to the mound. The Orioles starter has recorded 68 strikeouts in 69.1 innings and has generally shown the ability to miss bats when facing opposing hitters for the first time.

Seattle's offense has been inconsistent throughout the year, and Woo's presence alone makes it difficult to envision Baltimore generating immediate offense. This is one of my favorite NRFI plays of the day.

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly at DraftKings

Braves vs. White Sox - Martin Perez vs. Anthony Kay (7:40 PM EST)

Atlanta and Chicago feature a matchup between two pitchers who have quietly put together respectable campaigns.

Under 0.5 Run (-120) at DraftKings

Martin Perez enters with a 3.02 ERA and 1.06 WHIP through 56.2 innings. The veteran left-hander has allowed only 40 hits all season while keeping the ball in the yard, surrendering just six home runs. His ability to avoid hard contact has consistently helped him work through the early portions of games.

Anthony Kay has posted a 5-1 record while logging 61.1 innings for Chicago. Although his 4.40 ERA doesn't jump off the page, he has done enough to keep games under control and has shown the ability to generate key outs when necessary.

With neither lineup entering this matchup in peak offensive form and Perez pitching some of his best baseball of the season, the NRFI is worth backing.

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly

Diamondbacks vs. Marlins - Merrill Kelly vs. Tyler Phillips (1:10 PM EST)

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins have both been hovering around .500 this season. 

Under 0.5 Run (-105) at DraftKings

Merrill Kelly owns a 5-4 record with a 5.71 ERA, but his struggles have often come after lineups have seen him multiple times. The veteran right-hander still has enough experience to navigate the opening inning, and Arizona will need him to establish an early rhythm against a Miami offense that has lacked consistency throughout the season.

The Marlins counter with Tyler Phillips, who has been one of the brighter surprises on their pitching staff. Phillips enters with a 2.08 ERA across 43.1 innings while allowing only 37 hits and two home runs. His ability to keep hitters from making loud contact has been a major reason for his success.

Bet $5 at DraftKings and Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly

Best YRFI Bet

• This game offers the most YRFI value on the slate. Cabrera has allowed 11 home runs and carries a 4.99 ERA, while Feltner has also been susceptible to giving up damage when hitters make solid contact.

Claim $200 in Bonus Bets at DraftKings with a $5 Wager