The best NRFI picks today on Caesars for Thursday, June 8. Hopefully the smoke on the East Coast does not cause any more cancellations because the Phillies are once again looking like a solid spot to take advantage of some volatile pitching. Let’s dive in.
Best YRFI/NRFI Bets Today: No Run First Inning Bets
Detroit Tigers at Philadelphia Phillies YRFI (-110)
Zack Wheeler has shown inconsistency throughout the season. While he has had impressive performances, he has also struggled at times. One area where Wheeler can be attacked is early in games, as hitters have had success against him in the first inning. The Tigers have an opportunity to take advantage of Wheeler’s vulnerability and generate some early offense. They can work counts, be patient at the plate and look for hittable pitches to put runners on base. Additionally, Phillies manager Rob Thomson tends to leave his pitchers in the game for extended periods, which can provide further opportunities for the Tigers to capitalize on Wheeler’s weaknesses.
It is worth noting that the game is taking place in Philadelphia, which is known for being a hitter-friendly ballpark. The air is usually conducive to baseballs flying out of the park (smoke or no smoke), and the wind conditions should favor the hitters.
Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees Game 2 YRFI (-120)
Randy Vasquez is still in the process of getting stretched out and building up his endurance. This could make him susceptible to early scoring by the White Sox. Chicago’s lineup is not heavy on strikeouts and has the potential to get to Vasquez early in the game. With Vasquez still finding his rhythm and lacking a dominant strikeout arsenal, the White Sox can put pressure on him and generate runs.
The powerful Yankees lineup also has a good chance to strike first. Mike Clevenger may face difficulties since the top third of the Yankees lineup always poses a threat, even without Aaron Judge. That paired with the White Sox’s strong chance of getting on the board early set up the YRFI play.
Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Angels NRFI (-120)
Drew Smyly is on the mound for the Cubs, and while he may not be a prolific strikeout artist, he has shown the ability to limit hard and prevent runs. Smyly’s strengths lie in his ability to induce weak and avoid walks, which bodes well for keeping the Angels’ potent lineup in check early on.
On the other side, Reid Detmers does have some weaknesses, particularly in of walks. However, his impressive 26.5% strikeout rate provides an advantage in preventing runs in the first inning. With a visiting Cubs team that has struggled offensively, Detmers’ strikeout potential makes it less likely for them to get on the board early.
