The 2025 MLB regular season is slowly winding down. With just six days left, the postseason is only a week away. Still, there’s plenty of playoff positioning to settle between now and then. Baseball fans will be treated to a 15-game slate on Tuesday, with all 30 teams taking the field. That means ample opportunity for bettors, as well. For those looking to cash in immediately, an NRFI bet could make sense. However, there’s plenty of risk, even in backing a pitcher to get three quick outs. Which arms can you trust tonight?
Ahead of Tuesday’s MLB contests, here are three NRFI bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Tigers vs. Guardians NRFI (-165)
At the start of September, Detroit taking the AL Central appeared to be a formality. Mere weeks later, and everything has changed. The Guardians are the hottest team in baseball, reeling off ten wins over their previous 11 games. Now, they sit just one game out of the division lead. Tonight’s matchup could prove difficult, even for a club with plenty of confidence. Tarik Skubal is in the midst of another Cy Young-caliber campaign. Through 189.1 innings of work, the southpaw owns a 2.23 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 233 strikeouts. In addition, his first inning ERA sits at just 1.50. In comparison, Cleveland is tied for the American League’s fewest runs per game (3.95).
For the home team, it’ll be staff ace Gavin Williams toeing the slab. It’s been a breakout year for the big righty, who has enjoyed a phenomenal second half. Over his last ten outings, the 26-year-old has notched a 2.20 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 55 strikeouts. That includes five scoreless innings with nine strikeouts against the Tigers last week. Detroit has accounted for the league’s second-highest NRFI rate on the road (78.67%). Williams is poised for another stellar performance tonight at Progressive Field.
White Sox vs. Yankees NRFI (-110)
This is a battle between two teams in very different positions. The White Sox are looking towards the future, while the Yankees are fighting for an AL East crown. Still, Chicago could make tonight’s matchup competitive, thanks to starter Shane Smith. The All-Star has been a boon to an otherwise mediocre rotation this season. Over 135.1 innings pitched, the right-hander has posted a 4.06 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 129 strikeouts. Granted, a date with the Bronx Bombers is no easy task. However, Smith held New York to just two runs over 6.1 innings on August 30th. A similar showing for the rookie on Tuesday can’t be ruled out.
On the other side, it’ll be Luis Gil taking the mound. Last week, the 27-year-old got knocked around in Minnesota (). Regardless, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year has been solid in 2025. Since making his season debut on August 3rd, Gil has produced a 3.33 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 36 strikeouts. In addition, the righty hasn’t allowed a first inning run in eight of his nine appearances. The White Sox have only scored 3.96 runs per game, fifth-worst in baseball. On paper, there’s no reason to think the South Siders can’t be held scoreless to start this contest.
Mets vs. Cubs NRFI (-135)
Much like the Tigers, it’s been a month to forget for the Mets. The club has held control of a playoff spot for every day since April 5th…until now. Thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker, the surging Reds now claim the NL’s final wildcard ticket. If New York wants to get back on track, it’ll likely take a strong outing from David Peterson. The southpaw has seen his All-Star campaign crumble in recent weeks. However, he’s still responsible for a minuscule 2.48 first inning ERA. Over their last 15 games, the Cubs have scored the fourth-fewest runs in baseball (51). A slumping offense could be just what Peterson needs to secure three early outs.
Chicago will counter with a budding young star in Cade Horton. The former top prospect has lived up to the hype, emerging as a candidate to start this postseason. In 11 starts since July 20th, the rookie has put up a 0.93 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 52 strikeouts. No, those numbers aren’t a typo. Eventually Horton will come back down to Earth a bit, but when? A date with the Mets looks intimidating on paper. However, this lineup has gone through prolonged cold stretches this season. That includes last weekend’s series defeat vs. the Nationals. I’m willing to bet that Horton tosses a clean first frame in this pivotal National League showdown.
