Best YRFI Bets Today: Fade Kikuchi in his First Start With the Astros

In his first start with the Houston Astros post trade deadline, we fade Yusei Kikuchi as he continues to struggle with limiting the number of opposing scoring opportunities. We then turn our sights towards the matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals as the Nats lowly offense gets the opportunity to match the Brewers offensive production against the newly acquired Frankie Montas.

For more information about the YRFI market and what factors make them worth a wager, take a look at our breakdown of what are YRFI bets.

As for where to wager on YRFIs, FanDuel Sportsbook has been the top choice for the market as they routinely put out lines before everyone else and at very favorable odds when compared to the rest of the mobile sportsbooks.

If you have not signed up yet with FanDuel sportsbook and are looking to wager on Friday’s slate of YRFIs, you can claim $150 in bonus bets by simply creating an account and winning your first bet of at least $5 wagered. Be sure to wager the $5 on a heavy favorite immediately after signing up, maximizing your chances of winning and collecting the $150 in bonus bets.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros - Shane Baz vs. Yusei Kikuchi (8:10 PM, EST)

Over 0.5 Run (-105) at FanDuel

Earlier in the year, the Houston Astros got off to a horrific start and were comfortably down the AL West standings. Their pitching production was practically non-existent, leaving them prone to high variance situations. Knowing they desperately needed more arms in their rotation, the Astros traded for the Toronto Blue Jays Yusei Kikuchi to help give them a boost to their production and make a run for the playoffs.

While they have acquired another quality arm to give them depth to their starting rotation, Kikuchi has struggled with limiting the number of opposing scoring opportunities as he possesses an ERA of 4.75 and a WHIP of 1.340. Opposing offenses have had no issue with making contact against him at a high rate, entering the contest with 125 Hits Against. That bodes well for a Rays offense who ranks near dead last in Team Total Hits, giving them the opportunity to receive positive regression.

As for the Astros offense, they have continued to play as one of the best units in the league as they currently rank well above league average in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage. Their top of the order carries a brunt of their production, fielding the likes of current league leading Hits contender Jose Altuve, star talent Alex Bregman, and the always dangerous Yordan Alvarez.

Every bit of their production will be on display against the Rays Shane Baz as he has struggled with keeping opposing runners off the bases. In his four appearances so far this season, Baz enters the contest with an ERA of 3.66 and a WHIP of 1.424. While four games played is tough to put too much stock into, the Astros elite batting production will do him no favors in his efforts to round back into competitive form.

Bet on Over 0.5 Run (-105) at FanDuel

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Washington Nationals - Frankie Montas vs. Jake Irvin (6:45 PM, EST)

Over 0.5 Run (-113) at BetRivers

Keeping the theme on pitchers making their first appearance in their new setting post trade deadline, we turn our focus towards the matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals as Frankie Montas is set to make his first start for the Brewers. A smart move for Milwaukee as they needed to add more depth to their starting rotation during a crucial stretch of play while the injuries started to pile up.

The issue for the Brewers is that Montas has severely underwhelmed this season in his stint with the Cincinnati Reds as opposing offenses have had no issue with getting into scoring position and turning their opportunities into runs scored. Entering Friday’s contest against the Nationals, Montas takes the mound with an ERA of 5.01, a WHIP of 1.436, a FIP of 4.92, 93 Hits Against, and 52 Earned Runs Allowed in 19 games played.

On the other side of the field, the Nationals roll out Jake Irvin who has been one of their lone consistent sources of production as he enters the contest with an ERA of 3.44 and a WHIP of 1.083. His impressive metrics will be tested against a Brewers offense who continues to play at a high level, entering the contest ranked well above league average in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage.

Bet on Over 0.5 Run (-113) at BetRivers

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