Best NRFI Bets Today, July 17

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Baltimore Orioles – Emmet Sheehan (R) vs Grayson Rodriguez (R)

Over 0.5 Runs (-145 at DraftKings)

One of the series coming out of the 2023 MLB All-Break is set as the Los Angeles Dodgers (53-39) go on the road to take on the Baltimore Orioles (57-35) in a three-game series. Both the Dodgers and the Orioles are strong contenders for a world series title. Each game in the second half of the season is critical in the push for one of the top spots in the AL and NL Playoffs.

The Dodgers are one of the top batting teams in the league, thanks to the elite-level talent in their lineup. Los Angeles ranks second in the NL in runs accounted for (505), second in home runs accounted for (151), second in walks accounted for (378), third in on-base percentage (.332) and second percentage (.454).

There is no doubt they are able to consistently score, especially if it is early in the game. The Dodgers are ranked second in the league in runs accounted for in the first inning at 0.74 runs, only behind the Atlanta Braves.

The Orioles, despite being in the top six in the AL in every major batting category, are not a team to start scoring fast. Baltimore is tied with the Chicago Cubs at 28th in the league in runs accounted for in the first inning (0.38).

There is solid hope that the Dodgers will be able to score in the first inning, considering the Orioles are going with Grayson Rodriguez (7.50 ERA in 45.1 innings pitched). This game will be a solid bet for a run to be scored in the first inning.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers – Shane McClanahan (L) vs Dane Dunning (R)

Under 0.5 Runs (-110 at DraftKings)

This Monday starts one of the best series coming out of the 2023 MLB All-Star Break as the Tampa Bay Rays (60-36) travel to take on the Texas Rangers (55-39) in a three-game series. Both the Rays and the Rangers have become the top two competitors for the ALCS title due to their overall efficiency in the batting, fielding and pitching games.

Tampa Bay ranks second in the AL in runs accounted for (516), fourth in hits accounted for (828), first in home runs accounted for (140), first in stolen bases accounted for (112), fourth in batting average (.259), third in on-base percentage (.331) and second in slugging percentage (.454). The Rangers, on the other hand, rank first in runs accounted for (545), first in hits accounted for (899), first in walks accounted for (321), first in batting average (.275), first in on-base percentage (.343) and first in slugging percentage (.463).

These two teams have a stellar offense that can help carry their teams to a potential World Series title. What also makes the two teams elite contenders is their pitching which ranks among the top in the league.

The Rays rank first in the AL in ERA (3.65) and fifth in strikeouts (843). The Rangers as a team are not as dominant, but they have stellar starting pitchers.

On Monday, both the Rays and the Rangers are going with two of their best pitchers on the team to start at the mound. Texas will be starting Dane Dunning (2.84 ERA in 92 innings pitched) while Tampa Bay will be starting Shane McClanahan (2.53 ERA in 96 innings pitched). While both teams are great at the plate, McClanahan and Dunning are two great pitchers fresh off the All-Star break that are bound to start strong.

Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals – Matt Manning (R) vs Jordan Lyles (R)

Under 0.5 Runs (+105 at DraftKings)

The race for the AL Central Divisional title is set for a wild and potentially wild ending this 2023 MLB Season. The Detroit Tigers (41-51) have been in the race for a few weeks, but have dropped off significantly in the terrible division. The Kansas City Royals (27-67) are among the worst teams in the MLB and would be the worst, if not for the Oakland Athletics.

On Monday, the Royals go on the road to continue their AL Central Divisional rivalry against the Tigers in a four-game series. The Tigers have defeated the Royals in four of the six previous matchups this season, with the latest being in late June.

There isn't much expectation that either team will start Monday's game scoring quickly. In five of the six games this season between the two divisional rivals, there has not been any scoring from either team in the first inning. The only exception was one game where both teams scored three runs each in the first inning.

The Royals are ranked 20th this season in runs accounted for in the first inning (0.47), along with the Toronto Blue Jays. This is a miraculous statistic considering the Royals rank in the bottom five in the AL of all major batting statistics except for triple-base hits and stolen bases.

The Tigers rank 22nd in this season in runs accounted for in the first inning (0.46). Much like the Royals, the Tigers also rank among the bottom five in the AL in every major batting category except for triple-base hits and strikeouts encountered.