Let’s take a look at some No Runs First Inning prop bet odds and picks for today’s game: Guardians vs. Royals.
There are a few different pieces to why I like this bet. First, the game will be played in Kansas City, a notoriously pitcher-friendly ballpark. Secondly, like all NRFI bets, the pitchers are interesting enough to make it worthy. For the Royals, Kris Bubic will be taking the mound. Bubic has been a bit of a disappointment thus far with an ERA over five. The issues have been numerous, but mostly, the problem has been homers and not enough Ks to make up for those homers. However, he has one thing going for him, the hand he throws with. The Guardians offense has the second lowest wRC+ in baseball against lefties, with the lowest ISO within the same split. Plain and simple, they struggle against lefties. We are betting that this can hold off long enough for Bubic to get a clean inning.
Shane Bieber takes the ball on the other side, and while he does not look the same as he did in his CY Young season, he still has an ERA around 3. Despite all of their call-ups and exciting young stars, the Royals offense is still below average. The top third of the order is much better than the bottom, but Bieber is talented enough that I expect him to cruise through the first inning easily.