Best NRFI Bets Today: Dodgers vs. Red Sox Highlight the Slate

Saturday's MLB slate offers several attractive opportunities for NRFI bettors, highlighted by a pair of ace level starters and another matchup featuring two left handers who have quietly put together impressive seasons. 

The best matchup of the night takes place in Los Angeles with the Dodgers and Red Sox. I’ll be betting a NRFI in this contest.

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

Best NRFI Bets for Saturday, August 1

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Yankees vs. Cubs - Max Fried vs. David Peterson (7:15 PM EST)

The New York Yankees took a game from the Cubs to open the series on Friday, but Chicago has been resilient. 

Pick: Under 0.5 First Inning Runs (-135)

Max Fried continues to be one of the safest pitchers to back in the NRFI market. The Yankees left hander enters Saturday with a 3.23 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and has allowed just one home run across 69.2 innings this season. 

He has consistently worked clean first innings by avoiding hard contact.

David Peterson's overall numbers are less impressive with a 5.80 ERA and 1.52 WHIP, but the Cubs have struggled at times to capitalize early. 

Even if Peterson allows a baserunner or two, Fried gives New York an excellent chance to keep this game scoreless through the opening frame. The combination of an ace on one side and a favorable matchup makes this a great NRFI bet. 

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Diamondbacks vs. Guardians - Kohl Drake vs. Parker Messick (7:15 PM EST)

Cleveland and Arizona have been two average clubs, so this should make for a fun contest. 

Pick: Under 0.5 First Inning Runs (-120)

Parker Messick has quietly been one of the American League's most reliable starters this season. The Cleveland left hander owns a 2.59 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and has piled up 122 strikeouts over 125.1 innings. 

Arizona counters with Kohl Drake, who has only made a handful of appearances but possesses quality stuff that gives him upside in the opening frame. The Diamondbacks may ask him to attack the strike zone early, which often plays well in NRFI situations. 

If Drake can get through the top of Cleveland's order, Messick has been more than capable of matching him with a scoreless inning.

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Red Sox vs. Dodgers - Payton Tolle vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (9:10 PM EST)

This matchup features two pitchers enjoying excellent seasons. Boston started the series strong, but Los Angeles will look to respond. 

Pick: Under 0.5 First Inning Runs (-115)

Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been dominant for Los Angeles, posting a 2.72 ERA and a0.90 WHIP while striking out 118 batters in 125.2 innings. He remains one of baseball's premier strikeout pitchers and rarely gives opponents easy opportunities early in games.

Boston counters with rookie left-hander Payton Tolle, who has impressed with a 3.32 ERA and 103 strikeouts across 95 innings. Tolle has shown the ability to miss bats at an elite rate, while Yamamoto is capable of shutting down any lineup in baseball. 

Tolle can get hit hard, but it tends to come later in games. 

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Best YRFI Bet

• Tigers vs. Athletics - Framber Valdez vs. Jack Perkins: This game stands out as the best YRFI opportunity because of the ballpark. The Athletics continue to play in a minor league stadium, where the smaller dimensions have helped turn routine fly balls into home runs throughout the season. 

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