Best NRFI Bets Today: Sonny Gray vs. Shota Imanaga Highlights Our Favorite NRFI

We are taking two NRFI bets on Thursday, highlighted by one of the best pitching matchups in 2024. Sonny Gray and the Cardinals will face Shota Imanaga and the Cubs. 

The second NRFI we are taking is in the Royals vs. Tigers matchup. While Detroit is strong in the first inning, we believe the pitching will prevail.

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Best NRFI Bets Today: Royals vs. Tigers  (6:40 PM, EST)

1st Inning Under 0.5 Runs (-120) at FanDuel 

The first NRFI we are taking on Thursday features Seth Lugo and the Royals against Keider Montero and the Tigers. Kansas City is 60-49 in third place in the AL Central. 

Detroit is right behind Kansas City at 52-57. Both teams have some work to do to sneak into the Wild Card and make the playoffs in 2024. 

Seth Lugo will start for the Royals. He is 12-5 with a 2.66 ERA and has fanned 124 batters in 142.1 innings. 

Lugo has a WHIP of 1.04 and has been one of the best pitchers in the league. On FanDuel sportsbook, you can currently place a wager on Lugo to win the AL Cy Young award at +1600. 

Detroit is going with Keider Montero, who is 1-4 with a 6.38 ERA. He has 31 strikeouts and a 1.45 WHIP. 

Montero found himself in trouble so far this season by giving up the long ball and walking a few too many hitters. His stats do not reflect the pitcher he will be in the future, and we expect him to bounce back in this matchup. 

This AL Central matchup will be a close game until the end, and runs will be hard to come by all game. We are using this to our advantage by taking the NRFI.

Bet on 1st Inning Under 0.5 Runs (-120) at FanDuel

Best NRFI Bets Today: Cardinals vs. Cubs (8:05 PM, EST)

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

The Cardinals and Cubs have been battling all year long and are separated by 5.5 games in the NL Central. St. Louis comes into this game at 56-52 in second place in the division. Chicago is 51-58 in last place, but they are not going away easily in 2024. 

Sonny Gray toes the rubber for the Cardinals, and he has been a terrific addition in the St. Louis clubhouse. He is 10-6 with a 3.79 ERA and is looking to bounce back from his last start.

Gray most recently allowed five runs in five innings on seven hits. He has been getting most of his outs on the strikeout, as he has fanned 138 batters in 111.2 innings. 

The Cubs are starting Shota Imanaga, who comes into this matchup at 8-2 with a 2.95 ERA. He has been one of the best rookie pitchers in the league, and we do not expect him to slow down anytime soon. 

Imanaga has a 1.07 WHIP and has found success in 2024 by not walking many batters. 

St. Louis is hitting .245 as a team this season, the 13th best in the league. Alec Burleson leads the team, hitting .281 with 18 home runs and 63 RBIs. 

Chicago has struggled on offense, ranking 26th in team batting average at .232. Dansby Swanson's production has been absent, as he is hitting just .219 with 32 RBIs. 

This is one of the best pitching matchups of the year, and we are taking advantage of it by selecting this NRFI. Look for both starters to go deep into this game and rack up the strikeouts.

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

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