Best NRFI Bets Today, September 19

On Tuesday, there are several chances to cash in on first-inning total wagers. From a potential mismatch in the Bronx to a possible ALCS preview in Houston, we have left no stone unturned in putting together our top NRFI wagers for Tuesday’s Major League Baseball action.

Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees - Yusei Kikuchi (L) vs Clarke Schmidt (R)

Under 0.5 (-105 at BetMGM)

First up, look for there to be a scoreless first inning in the contest between the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Both teams are sending respectable enough starting pitching to the mound for this contest. But it is the offenses on both sides that are worth focusing on the most coming into this matchup that should go into the second inning without any runs on the board.

Yusei Kikuchi and Clarke Schmidt have both been respectable for their teams so far in 2023. Kikuchi enters this matchup at 9-6 with a 3.81 ERA, while Schmidt is 9-8 with a 4.56 mark on the year. Neither man is spectacular, but they should be able to do enough to get their teams into the second inning and beyond without any runs being scored.

Both of these teams were expected to be among the most explosive offensive clubs in baseball this year but simply have not delivered on that hype in 2023. The Blue Jays rank 16th in the league in runs scored, while the Yankees are all the way down in 23rd in the league in that department. These offenses are toothless relative to their expectations, and we should see them struggle to score as a result.

Boston Red Sox vs Texas Rangers - Tanner Houck (R) vs Nathan Eovaldi (R)

Under 0.5 (-115 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Another NRFI pick that we like on Tuesday comes from the matchup between the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. The Rangers are still fighting for a place in the postseason at this point in the year, while the Red Sox are simply fighting to avoid last place in the AL East. But even with both teams in vastly different places this season, they should both be held in check to begin this matchup.

Tanner Houck is on the mound for the Red Sox to start this game, as he enters with a 5-9 record and a 4.94 ERA. He is not exactly the arm that the Red Sox want to have on the mound going into a game like this one. But the Rangers may not be able to take advantage of that, as they have lost four games in a row and have really been slumping during the most important part of their season.

Meanwhile, Nathan Eovaldi is pitching in this game for the Texas Rangers, which should mean a lack of early scoring for Boston. Eovaldi has gone 11-4 so far this season, posting an ERA of 2.96 for the season. Look for him to keep the Red Sox in check to help finish off a scoreless first inning of action in Arlington.

Baltimore Orioles vs Houston Astros - Kyle Gibson (R) vs Hunter Brown (R)

Over 0.5 (-115 at PointsBet)

Finally, we do like one first inning to go over its total, with that being the game between the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros. Both of these teams are near the top of the American League standings this year and are looking to make a final push to generate momentum before October. We should see both offenses come out firing here, with the pitching matchup being a huge reason for that.

Kyle Gibson will start this game for the Orioles, who is 14-9 but carries a 4.98 ERA into this massive matchup. He will be opposed by Houston’s Hunter Brown, who is 11-11 with a 4.61 ERA. Needless to say, numbers like those will not hold up well against two of the best offensive clubs in baseball.

Entering this matchup, the Astros rank fifth in MLB in runs scored, while the Orioles rank sixth. We should see both of these teams get involved in the scoring early on, continuing the trend of their offenses being incredibly explosive.

See different MLB betting sites for more betting opportunities!