Best NRFI Bets Today, September 12

In Tuesday’s MLB NRFI picks, we look closely at the pitching matchups in a few key games around the league. From what could be a pitcher’s duel in Toronto, to a potential shootout in Baltimore, we have got you covered with our top-three first-inning total wagers from the diamond across America.

Texas Rangers vs Toronto Blue Jays - Max Scherzer (R) vs Hyun Jin Ryu (L)

Under 0.5 (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Our first play in the first inning total market is an NRFI bet in the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers. In this game, the pitching matchup should have a huge impact on the results of our bet, as both teams are sending excellent starting pitchers to the mound. Look for both teams to struggle to hit early on, and for us to get to the second inning with zeroes on the scoreboard.

Pitching for the Rangers in this game is Max Scherzer, who has been very good for them since being traded to Texas from the New York Mets. He will be opposed by Hyun Jin Ryu of the Blue Jays, who has done nicely in his own right after coming back from injuries that cost him most of this season. Those two should combine to hold their opponents scoreless for the first six outs of this game.

Also helping us reach a scoreless first inning will be the offensive issues that the Toronto Blue Jays have gone through all season long. Toronto sits in the bottom half of the league in runs scored this season, despite having so many highly-regarded offensive weapons in their lineup. They will continue to sputter at the plate in this game, at least for the opening inning of play.

St. Louis Cardinals vs Baltimore Orioles - Adam Wainwright (R) vs John Means (L)

Over 0.5 (-146 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Next up, we start focusing in on first-inning overs, starting with the matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles. This is a game where the starting pitching matchup points firmly in the direction of there being runs scored in the opening inning of play. We will happily lay the juice for the YRFI side of this contest in Baltimore.

First, we have Adam Wainwright taking the mound for the Cardinals in this contest, which has meant terrible things for the Cardinals all year long. Wainwright comes into this matchup with a record of 3-11, but it is his ERA that is truly astounding. He has posted an ERA of 8.19 this season, as he has struggled against just about every lineup that he has faced on the year thus far.

Going against Wainwright is John Means of the Orioles, who is making his first start of the season after missing most of the year after Tommy John surgery. Means is a very good pitcher when he is on top of his game, but he is unlikely to be on top of his game in his first start in close to a year. Look for Means, Wainwright, or both pitchers to surrender some early offense in this interleague matchup.

Cleveland Guardians vs San Francisco Giants - Cal Quantrill (R) vs Sean Manaea (L)

Over 0.5 (-105 at PointsBet)

Finally, we look at another YRFI selection to close out our first-inning total card, as the Cleveland Guardians take on the San Francisco Giants. This game features two starting pitchers whose names are associated with quality starting pitching. However, their play on the field this season has told a very different story.

Cal Quantrill is starting this game for the Cleveland Guardians. He comes into this contest with a record of 2-6 and an ERA of 5.70, as he has not been fully healthy for much of this 2023 campaign. He will continue to struggle in this game, as he faces a Giants lineup that does have some power near the top of the order that flies under the radar a bit.

On the other side of this pitching matchup is Sean Manaea of the Giants, who is 5-5 with a 5.00 ERA for the year. While the Guardians lack the power hitting that the Giants have, as Cleveland ranks last in home runs in the league, they do have the ability to string some hits together and manufacture an early run of their own.

See different MLB betting sites for more betting opportunities!