Best NRFI Bets Today, August 18

The Friday MLB slate is loaded with intriguing games, including contests that will feature Cy Young contenders and contests featuring postseason contenders as well. Several of those marquee matchups feature some intriguing angles in the NRFI and YRFI betting markets, including those we have highlighted here.

San Francisco Giants vs Atlanta Braves - Alex Cobb (R) vs Spencer Strider (R)

Under 0.5 (-111 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Our first MLB NRFI selection of the day is a matchup of NL Cy Young contenders in Atlanta. When the San Francisco Giants face off with the Atlanta Braves, Alex Cobb and Spencer Strider will take the mound for their respective clubs. That should lead to an exciting game, which should start with a scoreless first inning for both sides.

So far this season, Cobb is 6-4 with a 3.62 ERA, while Strider comes in at 13-4 with a 3.75 ERA of his own. Both of these pitchers will have the early advantage over the opposing lineup, even if there are some dangerous bats on both teams. Look for Strider and Cobb to come out dealing early in a game where they don’t have much room for error against one another.

A big positive to betting NRFIs when Strider is on the mound is his ability to avoid contact when needed. The Braves ace leads the league in strikeouts, having struck out 217 opposing batters so far this season. If he does manage to get in trouble, he can use his ability to strike out opposing hitters to get out of those jams.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Diego Padres - Brandon Pfaadt (R) vs Seth Lugo (R)

Over 0.5 (-130 at PointsBet)

Next up, we look at a YRFI bet in the NL West matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres. The Diamondbacks held the Padres to just one run in their game on Friday, which Arizona won by a score of 3-1. But we should see some early fireworks in this game, as the Diamondbacks send a struggling arm to the mound for the bottom of the first inning.

Brandon Pfaadt will take the mound for the Diamondbacks in this game, entering with a record of 0-6 and an ERA of 6.91. He has been lit up in his 54.2 innings of work this season, giving up well over a hit per inning. Expect that trend to continue, as the top of the Padres order should be able to smack him around at will in this one.

Along with the struggles of Pfaadt, Padres starter Seth Lugo is far from bulletproof in his own right out there. Lugo is 4-6 on the season, which is much better than Pfaadt’s 0-6 mark, but he has also posted a 4.16 ERA that showcases some vulnerability in his own right. It would not be surprising to see both teams score early in this game.

Miami Marlins vs Los Angeles Dodgers - Sandy Alcantara (R) vs Tony Gonsolin (R) 

Over 0.5 (-120 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Our final first-inning total bet for Friday night is another first inning over, this time in the matchup between the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers. This is a game where the pitching matchup looks great on paper. But looking closely at the actual performances of these two starters this season paints a very different picture as they have both struggled to some extent.

Sandy Alcantara gets the start for the Marlins in this game, who has looked nothing like the unanimous NL Cy Young winner he was last season. Alcantara is 5-10 this season with a 4.09 ERA. While his strikeout numbers are still respectable, he is certainly in danger of allowing some early runs to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have one of the best lineups in all of baseball right now.

Tony Gonsolin is on the mound for the Dodgers in this contest. For Gonsolin, wins have been easier to come by than they have for Alcantara, as he enters this game with an 8-4 record. But Gonsolin also has an ERA of 4.24, as the Marlins could put something together in the top of the first inning themselves.

Feel free to check out other MLB betting sites for more betting opportunities!