Best NRFI Bets Today, May 8

Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles – Shane McClanahan (L) vs Kyle Gibson (R)

Over 0.5 Runs (-105 at DraftKings)

One of the exciting games of the new week is set between the Tampa Bay Rays (28-7) going on the road for a three-game series versus the Baltimore Orioles (22-12). The Rays are set to start ace pitcher Shane McClanahan (2.03 ERA in 40 innings pitched). The Rays have four starting pitchers that have helped the team rank first in the AL in ERA (2.90), first in fewest hits allowed (230) and first in runs allowed (103).

Kyle Gibson (4.61 ERA in 41 innings pitched) is the starting pitcher for the Orioles, who has been one of the most reliable pitchers behind Tyler Wells. Balimore’s pitching isn’t elite, but they have been getting better as the season has progressed. The Orioles have an ERA of 4.58 this season.

Tampa Bay is the top-ranked scoring team in the league when it comes to runs in the first inning. Since the first of the season, the Rays have averaged 0.97 runs in the first inning and one in the three games. They have been even better on the road as they have averaged 1.15 runs in the first.

The Rays are first in the AL in runs accounted for (217), second in hits (319) and first in home runs (69). Tampa Bay will continue its early game success, while the Orioles, who have been consistently at the bottom in runs in the first inning, will be off to a slow start. Baltimore averages 0.33 runs in the first inning, 29th in the league.

Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Angels – Hunter Brown (R) vs Patrick Sandoval (L)

Under 0.5 Runs (-115 at DraftKings)

The Los Angeles Angels (19-16) ranks second in the league this season in runs accounted for in the first inning (0.82). After bringing hope to their season, and potentially their future, by winning five consecutive during weekday games, the Angels had a horrible weekend by losing their Saturday and Sunday games against the Texas Rangers with a combined score of 26-9.

The Houston Astros (17-17) are currently on a tough streak themselves as they have only won one of their five games. Houston has not won any of their last three series since taking two of three at the Tampa Bay Rays.

Houston currently ranks 14th in the league this season in runs accounted for in the first inning (0.58). There haven’t been any runs scored in the first inning by the Astros since their 7-3 home win over the San Francisco Giants on May 1st.

The Angels (5th in the AL in runs – 176) and the Astros (8th in the AL in runs – 148) are among the least efficient batting teams in the league; they are in a tough scoring situation. While the Angles have accounted for nine runs in the last two games, they face a much more talented pitching team in Houston. The Astros are second in the AL in ERA (3.35) as they are set to start Hunter Brown (2.60 ERA in 34.2 innings pitched).

The Angels will start their second-best pitcher in Patrick Sandoval (2.93 ERA in 30.2 innings pitched) on Monday. Both pitchers will make a hard case for holding the opposing team in a potentially limited-scoring game.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Milwaukee Brewers – Tony Gonsolin (R) vs Freddy Peralta (R)

Over 1.5 Runs (+250 at DraftKings)

If betters want to feel more adventurous than go for the over or under of one run, go for two runs. Monday’s game between the Los Angeles Dodgers (21-14) at the Milwaukee Brewers (19-15) is set to be a game where both teams could score early and often.

The Dodgers are set to start Tony Gonsolin for the first time this season at pitcher. Gonsolin (3.38 ERA) has pitched in eight innings where he has allowed seven hits and three runs this season. Milwaukee will have their second-best pitcher starting in Freddy Peralta (3.62 in 34.2 innings pitched) as he has given up 32 hits, 14 runs and four home runs this season.

The Dodgers are tied for second in the league in runs accounted for in the first inning with the Angels (0.82). They have been struggling in the last three games (0.33 average runs in the first innings) for a total of nine runs in the three-game road series over the San Diego Padres. Before the series against San Diego, the Dodgers have outscored the Philadelphia Phillies 36-11.

Milwaukee has been on a roll, accounting for huge performances early in their last few games. The Brewers are 12th in the league in runs accounted for in the first inning (0.61), but they have averaged 1.33 runs in the first inning in the last three games.

This game should bring the best batting performances from both the Dodgers and the Brewers.

Catch More of our Daily MLB Picks

• Best Prop Bets Today, May 8
• Best MLB Bets Today, May 8