Best YRFI Bets Today: Two Saturday Night YRFIs

We roll into the weekend on a heater, finishing Friday’s YRFI slate a perfect 2-0. Saturday’s slate provides us with two more valuable YRFIs that I am targeting, attacking a crop of regressing pitchers who need to find answers in a pinch against lethal batting units. For a more detailed explanation of YRFIs and what to look for when making a wager on them, you can read it here.

As for where to wager on YRFIs, the FanDuel Sportsbook has been the front runner for the market as they routinely put out lines before everyone else and at very favorable odds when compared to the rest of the books. If you have not signed up yet with the FanDuel Sportsbook, you can receive $150 in bonus bets for simply signing up and wagering at least $5.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks - Kyle Gibson vs. Ryne Nelson (8:10 PM, EST)

Over 0.5 Run (-125) at FanDuel

In a Saturday slate that features plenty of elite pitchers who can make a case for the Cy Young award, the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks are on the opposite end of the spectrum by trotting out two pitchers who have severely underwhelmed this season. That gives value towards their YRFI, especially with both having to face respectable to heavy batting lineups.

Starting with the Diamondbacks, pitching has been the bane of their existence so far this season as their pitchers have yet to match their batting production. Outside of Zac Gallen, the rest of the staff has mightily struggled and played a major factor towards their mediocre start. Ryne Nelson is next in line to try and get them back on track with a hot start, yet that may be a tall task against the Cardinals.

It’s been a rough 2024 stretch for Nelson, witnessing his production steadily decline since the end of spring training. During the preseason, Nelson had an ERA of 2.66, a WHIP of 1.426, 26 strikeouts, seven batters walked, 22 hits allowed, and six earned runs against. Since the start of the regular season, Nelson’s production has declined down to an ERA of 8.22, a WHIP of 1.826, 10 hits allowed, four batters walked, and seven earned runs against.

His regular season WHIP is especially intriguing for a YRFI as he nearly allows two batters to make it on base per inning. Should that hold true, the Cardinals dangerous top of their batting order will be given an opportunity to have someone in scoring position early in the contest.

As for the Cardinals, Kyle Gibson has been as equally as underwhelming to start his 2024 campaign. Gibson comes into the contest with an ERA of 6.23, a WHIP of 1.077, 11 hits allowed, three batters walked, and nine earned runs against in just two games played. His inability to punch opposing batters out will prove to be troublesome against a Diamondbacks group of batters that rank top-7 in OBP, BA, and in total hits.

Place your YRFI bets at FanDuel

San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers - Matt Waldron vs. Gavin Stone (9:10 PM, EST)

Over 0.5 Run (-136) at FanDuel

Tailing the previously mentioned YRFI, our second one focuses on the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers matchup. The Padres Matt Waldron has played pretty well so far this year, but has to face the best batting lineup in the league while the Dodgers Gavin Stone has severely underwhelmed so far this season.

It’s been a productive season for Matt Waldron who has dominated since the calendar turned to 2024. Starting with his spring training, Waldron finished March with an astonishing ERA of 1.35, a WHIP of 0.975, 13 hits allowed, zero batters walked, and just two earned runs against. His regular season starts have brought him back down to reality, possessing an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.500.

His inability to keep multiple batters off the bases will prove troublesome against the top of the Dodgers batting order, especially with their first four batters sitting in the top-10 of the league in total hits. 

Speaking of the Dodgers, Gavin Stone has severely underwhelmed so far this season with an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP of 2.125, giving the Padres an equal chance of matching the Dodgers batting production. Expect fireworks from the start as this game has a high chance of a run being scored in the first inning.

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