One of the shortest-lasting bets you can make in an MLB game is if a run will be scored in the first inning. All it takes is 6 outs to glory, but one swing of the bat can make or break your bet. There is also a lot of value in these bets because the odds are usually very well priced and if you're not a fan of sweating out your bets for 3 hours, this one will take only about 15 minutes to win or lose.
Before we dive in, don't forget to check out our'free picks on the side and total for every MLB game today.
There are 2 NRFI/YRFI bets I like today, so let's get right into it.
San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers (-115)
The second half of the season features an excellent pitching matchup in Los Angeles. The Dodgers hosted the All-Star Game on Tuesday night, and on Thursday they will welcome their rival – the Giants. Carlos Rodon will get the start for San Francisco, and although he was not originally named an All-Star, the lefty was a substitute and earned the nomination. But for the second season in a row, he did not pitch in the All-Star Game. Rodon had a blister and opted to wait until Thursday to pitch, which means he will be well-rested and ready to go. Through 105 innings, Rodon has a 2.66 ERA and a 2.88 xERA, and he has been especially good in the first frame. Opponents are 13-for-68 (.191) with a 33.8% strikeout rate against Rodon in the first inning this season. The southpaw will likely face Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, and Freddie Freeman at the top of the Dodgers order, and they have all struggled against the lefty in their careers. Against Rodon, Betts is 1-for-17 (.059) with 4 st rikeouts, Turner is 1-for-6 (.167) with a strikeout, and Freeman is 0-for-5 with a strikeout.