Best NRFI Bets Today, May 9

Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians - Michael Lorenzen (R) vs Shane Bieber (R) 

Under 0.5 Runs - DET vs CLE (-135 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

We will go to Cleveland for our first NRFI bet. This matchup between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians will be interesting, as these teams have nearly the same record. With that being said, they both have losing records, so I do not expect a lot of eyes on this matchup. The Guardians are sending a stronger pitcher to the mound, but neither team will give up a first-inning run. Bet on the NRFI.

Michale Lorenzen will get the nod for the Tigers. Lorenzen comes into this game with a 1-1 record, a 5.14 ERA, and a 1.38 WHIP. However, his last outing against the New York Mets was impressive. The righty threw seven innings and only gave up one earned run on two hits. Lorenzen will face an even easier Guardians lineup today. The Guardians will likely send Steven Kwan, Ahmed Rosario, and Jose Ramirez to the plate in the first inning. These three are hitting well, but they are not excelling. Ramirez is the top player in this group but only has one RBI in his previous five games. Lorenzen may give up a hit to the Guardians, but he will get out of the inning without giving up a run.

Shane Bieber is taking the hill for the Guardians. Bieber has had an excellent start to the year. He has not given up more than three runs in a start and has a 2.96 ERA. Bieber is also pitching deep into games and averaging nearly 6.5 innings a start. The 27-year-old has been one of baseball’s best pitchers over the last couple of seasons and continues to dominate on the mound. He will face a Tigers team that is averaging less than four runs a game. Even though Detroit has won four of their last five, they have not scored a ton. Bieber will not have a problem getting through the first inning. Bet on the NRFI.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles - Zach Eflin (R) vs Grayson Rodriguez (R)

Under 0.5 Runs - TB vs BAL (-120 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

We will go from Cleveland to Baltimore for or second NRFI bet. This game will be significantly more exciting than the Tigers-Guardians game, as these teams are both off to dominant starts and play in the same division. The Rays are the better team (and the best team in baseball), but the Oilers have surprised everyone and have a 22-13 record. The Rays shut out the Orioles in the first game of this series, so they have the edge, but this should still be an excellent game. With that being said, there will be no scoring in the first inning. Bet on the NRFI.

Zach Eflin will get the start for the Rays. Eflin has never been a great starter but has proved the doubters wrong with his performance this season. In five starts, he has a 4-0 record, a 2.25 ERA, and a 0.96 WHIP. He has been practically unhittable. Eflin is coming off a scoreless seven-inning outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Any time a pitcher throws seven scoreless innings, they deserve a pat on the back. The 29-year-old has not faced the most difficult opponents this year, but he has proved his worth. The righty should have no problem getting through the first inning.

Grayson Rodriguez will take the mound for the Orioles. The Orioles have won in all but one of Rodriguez’s outings this season. However, that does not mean he has performed well. In fact, the rookie has struggled to start his MLB career. He comes into this game with a 5.46 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. The 23-year-old gave up six earned runs to the Kansas City Royals in his last outing and threw less than four innings. However, Rodriguez has not given up a first-inning run in his previous three starts. Even though his pitching has been questionable, his struggles do not begin until at least the second inning. Therefore, Rodriguez will work his way out of the first inning. Bet on the NRFI.

St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs - Jack Flaherty (R) vs Jameson Taillon (R) 

Over 0.5 Runs - STL vs CHC (+100 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

We are on to our final NRFI bet. This bet will come from the St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs game. The Cubs have shown some promise to start the year, but the Cardinals have been disappointing. St. Louis has a 12-24 record and has struggled on the mound all season long. Both teams are sending struggling pitchers to the hill today, so a first-inning run will be scored. Bet on the YRFI.

Jack Flaherty will take the hill for the Cardinals. Flaherty was the Cardinals’ Opening Day starter but has been a shell of himself this season. He showed promise last year but has struggled this season. He has a 2-4 record and a 6.29 ERA. Flaherty is coming off his worst start of the season against the Los Angeles Angels. He gave up ten earned runs on nine hits in 2⅓ innings. Since Flaherty is yet to hit his groove, I expect him to give up at least one run in the first inning.

Jameson Taillon will get the start for the Cubs. Taillon has a 5.29 ERA in four starts. The 31-year-old is simply not pitching deep into games. He threw three innings in his previous start against the Washington Nationals and has not thrown more than five this year. Taillon is coming off an excellent season, so he will return to form at some point, but I do not expect that to be today. He will be facing a Cardinals’ lineup that scored 15 runs over their last two games.  Since St. Louis is hitting well, Taillon will likely give up a first-inning run. Bet on the YRFI.