Best NRFI Bets Today: NL Central Rivals Look For Key Wins This Weekend

This weekend features a ton of great matchups, and teams seek to separate themselves from the pack early in 2024. The slate is highlighted by two matchups featuring NL Central rivals. While we expect both games to be entertaining, they will take time to get their scoring going.

Below, we will share why we are locking in NRFI bets for the Brewers vs. Mariners and Cubs vs. Dodgers games. We'll give you the latest odds and insights needed to bet confidently at your favorite MLB betting site this weekend.

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Seattle Mariners vs. Milwaukee Brewers (7:10 PM EST)

Under 0.5 Runs (-110 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

Tonight's matchup will feature two teams exhausted from a thrilling game on Friday night. While the pitching matchup will be favorable for batters, we are confident that the first inning will be a quiet one. The odds are favorable, largely because of the dangerous Brewers offense. Milwaukee has a talented lineup, but they'll have their hands full with Bryce Miller on the mound for the Mariners.

The Mariners hope that Miller will be their future ace. The 25-year-old turned in a solid rookie campaign in 2023, going 8-8 with a 4.32 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. While he made some rookie mistakes, Miller also had some incredible showings. His start to the 2024 season didn't go well, allowing four runs across five innings against the Red Sox. However, he had a clean first inning. Aside from a solo shot, he did not surrender a run until the fourth inning.

The Brewers will have newly acquired DL Hall on the mound. The 25-year-old was acquired from Baltimore in the Corbin Burnes trade, and the Brewers have high hopes for him. He had a rough opening start on the road against the Mets (4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB), but he'll be making his home debut in Milwaukee tonight. Hall has impressive stuff and is an emotional pitcher who will be fed by a rowdy Saturday night crowd. We'll see how deep Hall goes, but we think he cruises early against a Mariners lineup that takes time to get going.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs (4:05 PM EST)

Under 0.5 Runs (-130 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

This is one of our favorite matchups of the weekend. Both teams have had impressive offensive starts that have led to strong records. While neither will have their ace on the mound today, we expect the first inning to be quiet. That's because we believe this is an underrated pitching matchup that will take batters time to figure out.

Dodgers' rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto will get the start this afternoon. He was a highly sought-after pro from Japan, for which the Dodgers paid a lot in the offseason. While he was hammered hard in the team's opening series in South Korea, he looked fantastic against the Cardinals last weekend. Yamamoto threw five shutout innings, allowing just two hits without walking a batter. He'll face a challenging road test today, but we think he delivers another stellar performance.

The Cubs will also have a young starter on the mound in Jordan Wicks. The 24-year-old made his debut last season, going 4-1 with a 4.41 ERA. He didn't start much better in 2024, allowing two earned runs on five hits and three walks over four innings. However, he once again delivered a clean first inning. As good as the Dodgers lineup is, we see them taking at least an inning to adjust to Wicks.

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