Best NRFI Bets Today, April 4

Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Diego Padres - Zac Gallen (R) vs Yu Darvish (R) 

Under 0.5 Runs - ARI vs SD (-125 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

The NL West is stacked with talent, and much of that talent is coming from the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres. The Diamondbacks have not made the Playoffs since 2017 but have a good chance of making it this year. On the other side, the Padres are coming off a World Series appearance and have maintained most of their roster. Both teams will be sending great pitchers to the mound, so I do not expect a run to be scored in the first inning.

Zac Gallen will get the nod for the Diamondbacks. Gallen is their ace and had a tough start his first time out this season. The New Jersey native gave up five earned runs on six hits in 4⅔ innings. This was an out-of-character start for Gallen, and I expect him to return to form today. It is also worth noting that only one hitter in the Padres’ lineup, Ha-Seong King, has had consistent success against Gallen. The 27-year-old will not give up a first-inning run.

Yu Darvish will take the mound for the Padres. Darvish, like Gallen, is the Padres’ ace. With that being said, this will be his first start of the season. Darvish is in the back half of his career but is still dominant on the mound. He is coming off a 16-8 season with a 3.10 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. Darvish has faced much of the Diamondbacks’ lineup many times before. Other than Ketel Marte, no Diamondback has had much success against him. He will perform well and get out of the first inning unscathed. Bet on the NRFI.

Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds - Hayden Wesneski (R) vs Luis Cessa (R)

Under 0.5 Runs - CHC vs CIN (-120 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Our second bet is a little different than the first one. In this bet, we will be looking at two unproven pitchers. Those pitchers’ names are Hayden Wesneski and Luis Cessa. Neither of these players are solid, and at least one of them will give up a first-inning run.

Hayden Wesneski made his MLB debut last season and performed well in six appearances (four starts). The 25-year-old finished with a 3-2 record, 2.18 ERA, and 0.94 WHIP. Those are impressive numbers, but that was last season and only a small sample size. Wesneski may replicate that performance this year, but it will be very difficult. He will probably go through some struggles at the beginning of the season before figuring out how to perform consistently. This may be a game with a few more struggles for Wesneski and possibly involve a first-inning run.

Luis Cessa has been in the Majors since 2016 but is coming off a troubling performance last season. The 30-year-old started ten games last season and mostly came out of the bullpen. He finished with a 4-4 record, 4.57 ERA, and a 1.29 WHIP. Those numbers are problematic, to say the least. Cessa will face a few tough hitters in the first inning, namely Cody Bellinger. Bellinger’s numbers dipped a little bit last season, but he is still a dangerous player. I do not see Cessa getting out of the first inning without giving up at least a run. Bet on the YRFI

Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Yankees - Matt Strahm (L) vs Domingo German (R)

Under 0.5 Runs - PHI vs NYY (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

This NRFI bet is hard to read. Domingo German is a starter and will probably pitch five-seven innings, but Matt Strahm is a career relief pitcher. The Phillies may be using him as an opener in this matchup. This bet could go either way, but I do not expect a run to be scored. Bet on the NRFI.

Matt Strahm has started one game in the past three seasons. He is a relief pitcher and a good one at that. The Boston Red Sox heavily depended on him last season, and he finished with a 3.83 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. That led to him signing a two-year, $15 million contract with the Phillies this offseason. His numbers out of the bullpen are consistent and indicate that he will not throw a first-inning run.

Domingo German is coming off a surprisingly strong season. In 15 appearances (14 starts), German had a 3.61 ERA and 1.16 ERA. This is surprising because he had not finished with an ERA below four in his three previous seasons. He will face a Phillies team that has only scored two runs in their previous two games and is yet to win a game this year. German will not give up a first-inning run. Bet on the NRFI.

New York Mets vs Milwaukee Brewers - Max Scherzer (R) vs Wade Miley (L)

Under 0.5 Runs - NYM vs MIL (-145 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Our final NRFI bet will be the safest one of the day. Max Scherzer will get the start for the Mets, and Wade Miley will take the hill for the Brewers. This is a rare matchup, as both of these pitchers are in their mid or late-30s. These pitchers have different skill levels, but neither will give up a first-inning run. Bet on the NRFI.

Max Scherzer gave up three runs in his first start this season. He did not excel in his Opening Day outing, but he also did not give up a run in the first inning. He will face a few solid batters in the first, but he will get out of it. This is simple because he has had success against this group of hitters in the past.

Wade Miley is making his MLB Debut today. He only started eight games last season but finished with a 3.18 ERA. Miley will have a tougher first inning than Scherzer and may give up a hit or two, but he will not give up a run. He has been a consistent pitcher for many years and will not lose consistency now.

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