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 May 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 May 20. Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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MLB NRFI and YRFI Picks – May 20
Minnesota Twins vs. Washington Nationals
First Pitch – 6:45 pm EST
Nationals Park – Washington, DC
Broadcast – MLB TV
There’s no team in the majors worse at scoring runs in the first inning than the Nationals. Their 0.22 runs per first inning puts them dead last and makes them a prime candidate for an NRFI every single game. They’ll face the Twins Pablo Lopez on Monday, who has been a little rocky with his 3.93 ERA on the season. However, he’s allowed just one run in two of his last three starts and his strikeout numbers have ticked up slightly. I think that’s enough to get him through a few against this Washington squad.
Minnesota is middle of the pack in terms of first inning runs. They come in having score 0.50 per game, which is good for 14th in the league. That means, combined, the two teams average just 0.72 runs per first inning. On top of that, we get Mitchell Parker for the Nationals, who has yet to allow more three earned runs in a start in his short career. His ERA sits at 3.09 and that’ll make me comfortable enough to get down on this NRFI.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for May 20: No (-135)
Baltimore Orioles vs. St. Louis Cardinals
First Pitch – 7:45 pm EST
Busch Stadium – St. Louis, Missouri
Broadcast – MLB TV
This game involves two sides that I like a lot to stifle the early offense. The top half of the inning may be the dicey one, but even then it seems like pretty smooth sailing. The Orioles are scoring in the first inning just 25% of the time this year, which puts them in the bottom half of the league. Now they’ll be facing Sonny Gray and his 3.05 ERA. He’s been hit around a few times recently, but I like his chances to settle back in – at least early – in this game.
The bottom half seems a lot less risky in this one. For one, Dean Kramer has been solid lately. He’s allowed just five earned runs over his last 18.2 innings. He’s also struck out 20 in that span. Meanwhile, the Cardinals offense has been pretty miserable. They’re 25th in the league in runs per game and in the bottom third of the league in first inning runs.
NRFI/YRFI Bet for May 20: No (-140)
If you’d like even more info to help make your NRFI picks for May 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.
