Best NRFI Bets Today, May 2

Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals - Hayden Wesneski (R) vs Trevor Williams (R) 

Under 0.5 Runs - CHC vs WAS (-115 at DraftKings SportsBook)

Our first NRFI bet will take us to the northeast. The Chicago Cubs will face the Washington Nationals in this game. The Cubs were not expected to do too well at the beginning of the year but have a winning record through the first month of the season. However, their opponents, the Nationals, are struggling and have one of the worst records in the National League. Both teams are sending some of their better starters to the mound, so no first-inning runs will be scored. Bet on the NRFI.

Hayden Wesneski will get the start for Chicago. Wesneski is playing in his first full season after making his MLB debut last year. The righty performed well in 2022 but only played in six games (four starts). The 25-year-old has a 5.24 ERA but put together some impressive starts. In his last outing against the San Diego Padres, he threw five innings and only gave up one run on four hits. The Texas native is starting to put it together. Luckily for Wesneski, he is facing a weak Nationals lineup. Washington has very few dangerous hitters, so Wesneski will easily get out of the first inning. 

Trevor Williams will take the hill for the Nationals. The Nationals’ pitching staff has had its fair share of problems this year, but Williams has not caused too many issues. The 31-year-old comes into this game with a 1-1 record and a 4.10 ERA. Williams is coming off a tough start that saw him give up four earned runs in five innings to the New York Mets. However, he did not give up a run in the first inning. In fact, Williams has not allowed a first-inning run in his previous four starts. He will face the likes of Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, and Cody Bellinger to start the game. This is a solid 1-2-3 punch, but the righty has proven he can get around for them. Bet on the NRFI.

New York Mets vs Detroit Tigers - Joey Lucchesi (R) vs Michael Lorenzen (R)

Over 0.5 Runs - NYM vs DET (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Our second NRFI bet will come from a pretty one-sided game. The Mets are not yet playing up to par, but they still have a winning record and have shown flashes of dominance. They will have zero problems beating this subpar Tigers team. Unlike the first bet, a run will be scored in the first inning. Bet on the YRFI.

The Mets will look to Joey Lucchesi to take the hill. Lucchesi is playing his second season in a Mets uniform and is off to a good start. He sat out last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery and had a 4.46 ERA in 2021. However, he has been in peak form in 2023. Lucchessi has a 1-0 record and a 2.19 ERA in two starts. He also has a low WHIP of 1.05. His numbers will not stay this low as the season progresses, but he cannot be hit off of right now. The 29-year-old will face some average hitters in the first inning of this game. The Tigers do not have any hot batters at the moment, so Lucchesi will get through the first inning with ease.

Michael Lorenzen will get the nod for the Tigers. Lorenzen signed a one-year deal with the Tigers after spending one season with the Los Angeles Angels. The righty has had his troubles to start the year. He has only thrown 14 innings through three starts and has a 7.07 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. If he does not improve soon, he might be moved to the bullpen. Lorenzen gave up five earned runs in five innings to the Milwaukee Brewers in his previous start. Since he is coming off a poor start and facing a tough Mets lineup, I expect him to give up a first inning run. Bet on the YRFI.

San Francisco Giants vs Houston Astros - Anthony DeSclafani (R) vs Hunter Brown (R) 

Under 0.5 Runs - SF vs HOU (-115 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Our final NRFI bet will take place in Houston, Texas. The Astros are only three games above .500, but they are beginning to return to form. They are not completely healthy yet but have shown some flashes of dominance. I only say this to explain why they will beat the Giants today. This should be a pretty uneventful first inning. Both teams are sending some of their better pitchers to the mound, so neither team will score. Bet on the NRFI.

Anthony DeSclafani will get the nod for the Giants. DeSclafani has been surprisingly good this year. He had a 6.63 ERA in five starts last season but has a 2.70 ERA through his first five starts this year. The New Jersey native may be the third pitcher in the Giants’ rotation, but he will move up if he keeps performing this well. DeSclafani has not faced the stiffest competition this year but has only given up nine earned runs in five starts. He also has excellent control and has only allowed three walks. I expect DeSclafani to give up a hit or two in the first inning, as he will be facing the Astros’ best hitters. However, Houston will not score.

Hunter Brown will get the start for the Astros. Brown has arguably been Houston’s best pitcher to start the year. The rookie has a 3-0 record and a 2.37 ERA. He is also pitching deep into games and averaging over six innings a start. More importantly, Brown is coming off the best start of his career against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 24-year-old threw seven scoreless innings and only gave up two hits. He will face a significantly easier Giants lineup in this game and breeze through the first inning. Bet on the NRFI.

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