Best NRFI Bets Today, April 17

Los Angeles Angels vs Boston Red Sox – Shohei Ohtani (R) vs Brayan Bello (R)

Over 0.5 (-125 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

The final game of the series between the Los Angeles Angels (7-8) versus the Boston Red Sox (8-8) will get an early start to the day on Monday. The Angels are hoping for one last win to avoid the sweep, but they have saved the best for last with their star pitcher in Shoehei Ohtani.

Through two starts and 19 innings pitched this season, Ohtani has allowed only six hits, one run, and 12 walks while delivering 12 strikeouts with a season ERA of .47. He is looking to finish as one of the top pitchers in the MLB once again this season.

He will be a big reason the Red Sox could be scoreless in the first inning. The Red Sox are tied for 12th in the league in runs accounted for in the first inning at .69. The Angels, on the other hand, are fourth in the league in runs accounted for in the first inning at .87 this season.

In the three games in the series, the Angeles has scored six runs while the Red Sox have scored runs. While Ohtani’s appearance may keep Boston scoreless for a while, the Angels alone should be able to make this line an easy decision to bet on.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Colorado Rockies – Rich Hill (L) vs Kyle Freeland (L)

Under 0.5 (-125 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

This Monday will be the beginning series of two mid-level teams in the NL trying to make a convincing case for the playoffs this season. Fans shouldn’t expect a lot of fireworks in the first inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates (9-7) and the Rockies are two of the least successful teams in accounting for runs in the first inning. The Pirates are tied for 22nd in the league in runs in the first inning (0.44) while the Rockies are 26th with an average of 0.31.

The Pirates do not have a great and but they are efficient enough in the batting game as they rank 12th in the NL in runs accounted for (66), batting average (.234) and 12th in on-base percentage (.315). Leftfielder Bryan Reynolds has been solid this season accounting for 11 runs, five home runs, 15 RBIs, a batting average of .317 and an on-base percentage of .324. He, along with several other good hitters including Andrew McCutchen, will give the Pirates against one of the worst pitching teams in the NL.

Colorado’s bullpen is ranked 14th in the NL in runs allowed this season (90), 11th in home runs allowed (20) and 13th in ERA this season (4.99). The good news for the Rockies is that star pitcher Kyle Freeland will be starting. Freeland has only 13 hits, two runs and five walks while delivering 11 strikeouts and a season ERA of .96. He may be the only reason to bet on under 0.5 runs in the first inning firmly.

Atlanta Braves vs San Diego Padres – Max Fried (L) vs Ryan Weathers (L)

Under 1.5 (-360 at DraftKings SportsBooks)

It’s deja vu for the Atlanta Braves (12-4) and the San Diego Padres (8-9) as they meet in a series for the second time this early 2023 MLB Season. While the Braves have been the more efficient team throughout the season, it was the Padres that won three of the four games in Atlanta nearly two weeks ago.

This series will feature two of the most talented and well-depth batting teams in the MLB. They have also done well with scoring in the first inning. The Braves are tied for first in the league with runs accounted for in the first inning at 0.94 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays. The Padres are 11th in the same category at 0.71.

In the four games met this season, the Braves have only scored in one game with one while the Padres scored in one game with two runs. This is going to be a series, once again, where the pitching on both sides is going to give their all.

Braves pitcher Max Fried returns from the 15-day DL after a left hamstring strain. That should be an added boost to the Braves’ pitching and why the odds will likely be towards under 1.5 runs to start the series.

Catch More of our Daily MLB Picks

• Best MLB Picks Today, April 17
• MLB Prop Bets Today, April 17