Some people like to sweat out a bet for 9 hard innings – others like immediate satisfaction. Count us as being in the latter, which is why we like to get down with MLB NRFI and YRFI picks. And we’ve decided to pass that knowledge on to you with our NRFI bets for April 20. Go here for MLB World Series odds.
Of course, there are plenty out there taking blind guesses at this stuff. It’s easy to pick the best-hitting team or look at what happened in the last game. However, we spent the time pouring through the analytics to make sure that we give you the best odds to stay in the green on these NRFI and YRFI props for April 20. Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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MLB NRFI and YRFI Picks – April 20
New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays
First Pitch – 1:40 pm EST
George M. Steinbrenner Field – Tampa, FL
Broadcast – MLB TV
The top of the first is going to be the biggest sweat on our day. The Yankees have been one of the very best scoring teams in the first inning and across the whole game. However, I have some faith in Ryan Pepiot, who has looked good for the most part this year. He got roughed up by the Red Sox last time out, but before that was sporting a 3.37 ERA on the year. He’s also been a big strikeout guy this year – fanning 24 batters in just 22.0 innings. The Yankees are a team that whiffs a lot with 9.33 per game and striking out 12 times on Saturday. As a result, I think Pepiot can pick up some Ks and get himself out of any trouble he might get in.
The bottom of the inning should be much easier for our nerves. Max Fried is on the bump for the Yankees and he’s been everything they paid big money for. He is 3-0 on the short season with a 1.88 ERA. He’s given up just three earned runs over his last three starts, which includes 7.0 shutout innings against a tough Detoit lineup. The Rays are around league average with their bats, and I don’t think that’ll be enough to get to Fried.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for April 20: No (-115)
St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets
First Pitch – 1:40 pm EST
Citi Field – Queens, NY
Broadcast – MLB TV
We’ll kick this NRFI off by looking at one of the very worst teams when it comes to first inning runs. The Cardinals rank 29th in MLB with just 0.19 first inning runs per game. Those numbers won’t be helped out by Clay Holmes, who has been pretty solid this year. In three of his four outings, he’s held opponents to two or fewer runs. He’s also posted a scoreless first inning in three of his four starts. The Cardinals should help him pump on those numbers on Sunday.
We’ll finish off our Easter Sunday NRFI with Sonny Gray on the bump against this Mets lineup. While the Mets have been a good team this year, they have struggled in the first inning. They rank 26th in the majors in first inning runs with just 0.24 per game. Gray should make good use of that. He has a 3-0 record with a 3.13 ERA on the year, and he’s coming off his best outing of the year. He held the Astros scoreless over 7.0 innings with just three hits allowed. While he might not hold the Mets that quiet, but I assume he should be able to get us three outs.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for April 19: No (-145)
If you’d like even more info to help make your NRFI picks for April 20, check out the MLB Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar with their MLB picks today.
