Best NRFI/YRFI Bet Today, October 28

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers - Merrill Kelly (ARI) vs Jordan Montgomery (TEX)

Over 0.5 Runs (-111 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Last night’s Game 1 gave us one of the most thrilling World Series games in recent memory, thanks to two fantastic offensive performances. Texas started the fireworks early by plating two first-inning runs, and we see another fast start in Game 2.

One big reason is the play of both of these offenses. Arizona has a fantastic 1-2 punch at the top of their lineup in Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll. Carroll has been good, but Ketel Marte has been the leader of this team. He has a .345 batting average in the postseason, registering a hit in all 13 of the D-Backs playoff games.

Texas will have Jordan Montgomery starting Game 2. He has a 2.16 ERA across five playoff starts and has been one of the Rangers’ top arms since being acquired at the trade deadline. However, he has been vulnerable in the first inning. The lefty has surrendered at least one run in the game’s opening frame in two of his previous four starts. We talked about the D-Backs offense above, and they will provide a stiff challenge for Montgomery. Given that it is the 30-year-old’s first World Series start, we think he takes at least an inning to settle in against the D-Backs offense. 

The Diamondbacks will send Merrill Kelly out to the mound tonight. The 35-year-old has made two impactful road starts for the D-Backs, but he has been far from perfect. He is limiting hits but is struggling with walks. That could be a big problem against a Rangers team with a red-hot Adolis Garcia hitting fourth. Ahead of him are Corey Seager (.327) and Evan Carter (.311), who are both hitting at a high level. This is a loaded Rangers lineup, and they will rattly Kelly early tonight.