Best NRFI Bets Today, May 15

New York Mets vs Washington Nationals – David Peterman (L) vs Patrick Corbin (L)

Under 0.5 Runs (-110 at DraftKings)

There are always near absolutes this 2023 MLB Season; the New York Mets (20-21) always get off to an incredibly slow start and the Washington Nationals (17-23) do not have the talent to create a high-scoring game. If there is going to be one game that is most likely set to have no runs in the first innings, it will be this game.

The Mets are ranked last in the MLB in runs accounted for in the first inning (0.23) and have been consistently among the last throughout the season. The Mets are not terrible this season, but they are ranked 11th in the NL in runs accounted (171) through 41 games. First baseman Pete Alonso, shortstop Francisco Lindor and centerfielder Brandon Nimmo have combined for 73 runs this season, but the Mets do not have much proficiency at the plate outside of the big three.

The Nationals are ranked eighth in runs accounted for in the first inning (0.63), but have averaged 0.33 runs in the first inning in their last three games. They are ranked 14th in the NL in runs accounted for (156) as they have one player, rightfielder Lane Thomas (22 runs), who has accounted for more than 17 runs.

With both the Mets and the Nationals struggling to get their offenses going, now is a good chance to bet in categories such as runs in the first inning.

Philadelphia Phillies vs San Francisco Giants – Bailey Falter (L) vs Alex Wood (L)

Over 0.5 Runs (-120 at DraftKings)

Both the Philadelphia Phillies (20-20) and the San Francisco Giants (17-23) are coming Monday’s matchup and new series on completely different spectrums. For the Phillies, a 4-0 at the Colorado Rockies on Sunday shed a five-game win streak as it was a birthday to forget as he was ejected for charging at the Rockies’ dugout. Outside of the tough game, the Phillies are getting consistent productivity from their key batters.

The Giants are on a terrible steak after starting the month of May with a 4-1 record. Since the first five games to start May, the Giants have only won two of their last eight games. They are coming off a three-game losing streak to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Both the Phillies and the Giants are among the top teams in scoring in the first inning as they both rank sixth in the league at 0.67 runs. The Phillies have averaged 1.33 runs in the first inning through the last three games while the Giants have averaged 1.00 runs.

Monday is set to be a difficult game for the starting in this game. The Giants will be starting Wood (2.45 ERA in 11 innings pitched) as he has limited experience and time to develop a pitching rhythm. The Phillies will be starting Bailey Falter (5.75 ERA in 36 innings pitched), who is one of the least established starting pitchers.

This game should be a solid opportunity for the Phillies and the Giants to develop some runs early, especially in the first inning.

Minnesota Twins vs Los Angeles Dodgers – Pablo Lopez (R) vs Noah Syndergaard (R)

Over 1.5 Runs (+215 at DraftKings)

There are certain times to take a chance and feel overambitious when making bets. One ambitious for betters to potentially make betting at least two runs in Monday's matchup between the Minnesota Twins (23-18) going on the road to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (26-15).

This is set to be the start of one of the best series of the new week in the Major Leagues. While both teams are serious to take the win of the series, they are set to be starting their second-worst starting pitchers in terms of ERA. The Twins will be starting Pablo Lopez (3.47 ERA in 49.1 innings pitched) while the Dodgers will be starting Noah Syndergaard (6.12 ERA in 32.1 innings pitched). Lopez has given up 19 runs in eight games played and started while Syndergaard has given 22 runs in seven games played and started.

This game should be a great opportunity for the Twins and Dodgers to score one run each in the first inning or for one team to have two runs. The Dodgers are second in the MLB in runs accounted for in the first inning (0.83) and have scored three runs in the first inning of Saturday’s 4-2 win over the San Diego Padres. The Twins have scored in each of the last two games against the Chicago Cubs.

The Dodgers will have their dynamic batters to help the team get off to a solid early start while the Twins have developed a solid rhythm plate by scoring 27 runs in the last two games.