It’s a 15-game slate of MLB action on Saturday, making this the perfect time for an NRFI bet. Just six outs without a score are all it takes for bettors to cash in. However, figuring out which pitchers thrive early, and which lineups struggle, is key.
Ahead of today’s MLB action, here are two NRFI bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Dodgers at Royals NRFI (-130)
It’s been a two-year hiatus from pitching for Shohei Ohtani. However, the Japanese superstar has managed to throw on two different occasions this season. Granted, the two-way phenom has only tossed an inning in each of those outings. Still, it’s only a matter of time until Ohtani returns to form. That could come this afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals are averaging 3.26 runs per game this season, the lowest mark in baseball. In addition, Kansas City owns the league’s tenth-highest NRFI rate at home (76.19%).
KC can’t hit, but at least they have an ace toeing the slab. Seth Lugo remains one of the American League’s most consistent arms, notching a 2.93 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. That level of dominance has been especially apparent at the start of games. Over 14 appearances this season, the 35-year-old has surrendered just three earned runs (1.93 ERA). Today’s contest presents a significant challenge in the Dodgers, baseball’s highest-scoring offense. Still, that also gives bettors a rare opportunity to fade Los Angeles’ juggernaut lineup. Expect these two All-Star arms to hold steady in the first on Saturday.
Giants at White Sox NRFI (-130)
A resurgent season for the Giants has been made possible by their fantastic pitching. This season, San Francisco is holding opponents to 3.79 runs per game, sixth-lowest in baseball. Staff ace Logan Webb deserves plenty of praise, but don’t forget about Robbie Ray. The former Cy Young winner is currently enjoying his best campaign in years. Over 92.1 innings of work, the righty has posted a 2.83 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 104 strikeouts. He’ll look to keep rolling this afternoon against the White Sox, one of the league’s worst offenses. Chicago is averaging only 3.43 runs per game, the American League’s second-lowest mark.
To counter a middling San Francisco lineup, the White Sox will hand the ball to Adrian Houser. The former Mets hurler has looked sharp through six starts this season. During that time, the right-hander has accounted for a 2.27 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 26 strikeouts. In addition, he’s only allowed one first inning run (1.50 ERA). To make things more enticing, the Giants have put up baseball’s 12th-highest NRFI rate (73.17%). Add it all up, and there’s a good chance these two clubs start things off scoreless in Chicago.
