Best NRFI and YRFI Bets July 25: The MLB Teams to Watch Today

The trade deadline is sure to alter the rosters of many teams next week. There are few teams in Major League Baseball that are out of contention for a playoff spot, which means almost every series has importance to the playoff race.

22 of the 30 MLB teams are above .500 or within two games of .500. It's rarely been this difficult to classify teams as sellers and buyers.

I've noticed this as I choose the games for my No Runs and Yes Run First Inning wagering strategy.

(Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)

Tonight, I have several American League Central teams on my betting slip, with NRFI or YRFI odds from the betting experts at DraftKings Sportsbook.

As always, please mind your betting strategy and practice responsible gambling.

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YRFI: Blue Jays at Tigers (-115)

That alarming sound you hear from the Motor City are the sports fans having a conniption. The Detroit Tigers, once owners of the best record in MLB, have lost 10 of their last 11 games.

Detroit is still ensconced in the "catbird seat" in the AL Central, but their lead is shrinking like the number of people following Will Smith on Twitter.

While the Tigers still have strong odds to win the division (-1100 from DraftKings), the collars are getting tight in the clubhouse at Comerica Park.

Comerica Park is where Detroit will host Friday's game against the Blue Jays

There was a time when these two teams, separated by about 200 miles, were bitter rivals. That was in the 1980s, when the Jays and Tigers jousted for the AL East title on more than one occasion.

Now, Toronto stands as an obstacle for Detroit's desperate attempt to get back on its footing.

Suggested Wager
In six of the last nine games for Detroit, there has been a score in the first frame. I suspect that to be the case again in the second game of this four-game weekender. Wager $115 and win $100 if either team scores at least one run.

YRFI: Phillies at NY Yankees (-115)

Yankee manager Aaron Boone has been cranky as of late. It's easy to see why: the Yankees are 8-10 in July, and have seen a division lead transformed into a 4.5 game deficit. Much of the problems have stemmed from sloppy defense and dreadful pitching.

In the 18 games played by the Yanks this month, the team has allowed at least four runs in 15

The bullpen ERA this month is on the wrong side of 5.50 per game. That can only lead to one thing: the Bronx cheer, which sounds like a boo everywhere else.

The Yanks have Will Warren on the hill tonight. He seems like a nice young man. He certainly looks fine in the pinstripes of the Yankees. But, Mr. Warren has not proven at all that he should be starting regularly in the big leagues.

Warren has made 26 starts in The Show in his brief career. He has a 6.11 ERA in that role

Want more recent bad news, Yankee fans? Friday's starting pitcher has allowed 22 earned runs in 23 1/3 innings in interleague play this season. That's an 8.49 ERA, which is only slightly lower than the ERA you and I could probably post as a big league hurler.

That's why I am confident that runs will score on Friday night. The Yankees and Warren are facing an NL foe: the mighty Phils.

The Philadelphia lineup has guys named Trea and Kyle and Bryce

That's not necessarily a bad thing, except their surnames are Turner, Schwarber, and Harper.

Suggested Wager
Bet $100 on at least one run to score in inning number one: win $115 if you're correct.

YRFI: Guardians at KC Royals (-110)

Both the Guardians and Royals are in full chase mode of the Tigers in the AL Central. But, there's also three wild card prizes at stake. Last season, both of these teams made the postseason tournament in October.

This three-game series in Cleveland has the feel of the playoff race

Cleveland sends Gavin Williams to the hill, opposed by veteran KC starter Michael Wacha, who is lowkey having a solid season (again).

Williams has surrendered a run in the first inning in three of his last five starts.

He's been stellar since April: a 2.95 ERA in 14 starts

He's 4-2 since April 30, but the G's have won only six of his 14 starts since his rocky first month of the season.

Past performance does not indicate future outcome, but I see a trend with Williams: he's rusty or not-quite-warmed-up in the opening frame of late. That leads to swings and hits, and runs.

That's why I like a $100 wager on YRFI for the CLE vs KCR game tonight, July 25.

Suggested Wager
Bet $110 to win $100 if the Guardians and Royals score at least one run combined tonight in Kansas City. The odds are from DraftKings sports betting app.