Best NRFI Bets Today: Pitching Talent Is Limited on Thursday

There isn’t a lot of Cy Young caliber talent on the mound Friday. Finding profitable NRFI bets may seem complicated, but the value is high throughout Thursday. 

We have to take a couple of chances, but two NRFIs have a great chance of hitting on Thursday. It starts with the Marlins vs. Cubs and ends with the Diamondbacks vs. Giants on FanDuel Sportsbook. 

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Best NRFI Bets Today: Marlins vs. Cubs (7:40 PM, EST)

1st Inning Under 0.5 Runs (-135) at FanDuel

The Marlins vs. Cubs NRFI should do the trick if you like to sweat. The good news in this matchup is that the wind blows in at Wrigley Field. Scoring runs is challenging when the wind blows in because it virtually eliminates the chance for home runs in Chicago. 

However, when the wind is expected to blow, the total is usually set at seven or 7.5. It’s set at eight runs on Thursday because the pitching talent is unreliable. Any pitcher can get three outs in the first inning, but it will be a sweat with AJ Puk and Jameson Taillon. 

Despite this, the NRFI is worth taking because of the wind advantage. A smaller chance for home runs eliminates the quickest method of losing an NRFI wager. 

Puk will pitch for the Marlins. He is 0-3 with a 5.91 ERA and a 2.44 WHIP. He has walked 14 batters in 10.2 innings, which is a massive flaw. If he walks batters, it will make the NRFI hard in this game. However, he has allowed just one home run in 2024, which is elite. 

Puk will pitch against Taillon, who is making his first start of the season for the Cubs. Taillon was on the 15-day injured list but is coming off a season in which he had a 1.28 WHIP and 142 strikeouts; this is part of his game we’re leaning on Thursday. 

The wind can make both pitchers reputable, especially with the Cubs' offensive flaws lately and the Marlins' terrible power display. Chicago started the season well offensively. They have scored 96 runs and have a .329 team OBP, but their scoring has been relatively low. 

Chicago scored 11 runs against the Diamondbacks on April 16, but they had not scored more than four runs in the four games prior. The Marlins don’t have much offensive capability, so it’s a good spot for Taillon to shine. 

Miami is batting .217 with a .281 OBP, one of the worst stat lines in baseball. They have scored 27 fewer runs than Chicago this season, so look for them to be neutralized in the first inning.

Place your NRFI bets at FanDuel

Best NRFI Bets Today: Diamondbacks vs.Giants (9:45 PM, EST)

1st Inning Under 0.5 Runs (-128) at FanDuel

Logan Webb will be the best pitcher on the mound on Thursday if the Giants stay alive in the National League West. Webb hasn’t gotten off to a great start, but he is still a competent pitcher. 

Webb is 1-1 with a 3.8 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He has recorded 28 hits in 23.2 innings with 17 strikeouts. Webb is an innings eater who tends to start fast but often fades in the later innings. 

He will pitch against Ryne Nelson on Thursday, the concern for our NRFI betting. He is 1-2 with a 5.27 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. He has thrown 13.2 innings this season and allowed 17 hits, including two homers. 

Take the NRFI and back the pitchers to finish it in the late spot.

Bet on our NRFI picks at FanDuel

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