Best Bets on Today's MLB YRFI and NRFI Markets
I went 1-1 on Friday’s best bets as Akil Baddoo ambushed Gavin Williams on the second pitch of the game to sink the NRFI in Cleveland. To be fair, the Guardians also scored in the bottom of the first against Tarik Skubal so that pick was destined to lose. On the flip side, we only needed one pitch to cash the YRFI in Denver as Elvis Andrus homered on the first offering from Peter Lambert. Michael Kopech then imploded in the bottom half of the inning and allowed five earned runs, so our cap was spot on in that game. Onward we go.
Keep reading to find out my best bets for Saturday, August 19th. I recommend two units for each. All odds are via DraftKings but be sure to shop around for the best line as prices vary dramatically in this market.
Tampa Bay Rays at Los Angeles Angels (Game 1)
Tyler Glasnow is 12-1 to the NRFI and 6-0 on the road this season with an impressive 2.38 FIP and 38.8% K-rate in the first inning. The Angels offense was able to push across an early run-in last night’s game, but overall this season they’ve been slightly below average with just a 28.4% scoring rate overall. Shohei Ohtani is absolutely a problem in the bottom of the first inning, and he’s had success against Glasnow going 2-for-3 lifetime with a home run. However, those at bats came back in the 2021 season so it’s fair to say this will be a relatively fresh look.
Chase Silseth has pitched well since returning to the rotation last month. In four starts, Silseth is pitching to a 2.34 xFIP and 0.88 WHIP, which is the lowest of any pitcher on the board today. Overall, the Rays' offense has steadied itself a bit after some massive regression over the middle part of the season after a sweltering start. As a team, they are 42-24 (63.6%) to the NRFI since June 1st.
I like the spot as well for a slow start considering these teams played extra innings last night and now are saddled with a doubleheader on Saturday as the league takes a proactive weather approach to the hurricane sweeping up the west coast this weekend. I was able to find –115 available in the market and would feel comfortable playing this up to -125.