Best NRFI Bets Today: The Pitchers to Target on Tuesday, September 24

Best NRFI Bets Today

We're into the final week of the season in the major leagues, and there's no better way to celebrate some highly-anticipated games with playoff implications than with the NRFI -- No Runs in the First Inning.

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

Today, we'll take a look at two lefties which should match up well in Philly before looking at two games which promise to have low-scoring, playoff-like feels in Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Let's check out some of the most profitable NRFI spots and get deeper into the slate, handing out MLB NRFI predictions for Tuesday, September 24.

MLB NRFI Betting Prediction for Cubs vs Phillies

This one won't have the same kind of feel as the next two games we'll cover, as the Phillies have locked up a spot in the playoffs and the Cubs have been eliminated from contention.

• With that said, the pitching matchup certainly feels like one that would be strategically employed to keep things tight to start.

The Phillies will go with an opener in Tanner Banks, who will be deployed here to spin Ian Happ around to the right side where he's been worse this season, and the reliever will look to hunt a strikeout against frequent swing-and-miss victims in Seiya Suzuki and left Cody Bellinger.

• Banks has been cooking with the Phillies, allowing a run in just three of his last 11 appearances, and this Cubs team ranks just 17th in wRC+ to left-handed pitching.

That leaves the home half of this one to Justin Steele, who owns a 19-4 NRFI record this year and will draw two left-handed bats in Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper to start things off.

Expect a slow start to this one, particularly with Philly looking ahead to the postseason.

NRFI Prediction: Cubs vs Phillies NRFI (-115 at FanDuel)

Looking to bet this one as the action unfolds? Check out our MLB Live Betting Guide.

MLB NRFI Betting Prediction for Mets vs Braves

The last time Luis Severino pitched against the Braves, he allowed just two runs over five frames to produce a NRFI opposite Chris Sale. The last time Spencer Schwellenbach saw the Mets, he worked seven scoreless with 11 punchouts.

• Severino's now gone 2-0 to the NRFI against the Braves this season and 28-2 to the NRFI all year long, while Schwellenbach stands at a menacing 17-2 in his own right.

Both men have been cruising as well, with Severino working 19 straight scoreless first innings and pitching to a 2.81 ERA in four starts this month, while Schwellenbach owns a 3.18 ERA this month and has now cashed the NRFI in five straight.

• New York may be looking scary at the plate, owning the third-best wRC+ in the league over the last two weeks, but it's struck out nearly 22% of the time in a reversal of what we've seen for the better part of this season.
• Atlanta's sixth in wRC+, but has struggled to hit ground-ball pitchers all year long and has also produced a 24.3% over that span.

Severino's found his strikeout touch over the last two months, punching out 60 in 54 1/3 innings, and with familiarity in the top of the order I expect normal service to continue.

NRFI Betting Prediction: Mets vs Braves NRFI (-115 at FanDuel)

MLB NRFI Betting Prediction for Padres vs Dodgers

Finally, we'll get to a contentious series between the Padres and Dodgers, where San Diego will look to pull off a miraculous charge up the standings and take the National League West title from L.A..

• The visitors now sit just three games behind the Dodgers in the division after taking eight of their last nine, and they've allowed just 14 runs over that span.
• I like the excellent pitching to continue here with Michael King taking the ball on a torrid run which has seen him post an ERA just over two runs since the start of July.

Neither the Padres or Dodgers have scored a run in the first inning of their last three games, and with King entering at 24-5 to the NRFI with excellent peripherals there's certainly reason to believe he can do it again.

Landon Knack is the wild card here, once again being added to the Dodgers rotation amidst a myriad of injuries, but his ability to pitch to contact with a .221 Expected Batting Average this season puts him in a good spot against the swing-happy Padres.

• San Diego's relied upon the heart and bottom of the order for the past two months to get to this point, starting slow as a result.

I'm generally a big fan of Knack, and after dazzling against the Marlins with eight punchouts his last time out should be able to pick apart a Padres order which has endured some brutal strikeout numbers from Fernando Tatis, Jr. and Manny Machado in the past two weeks.

NRFI Prediction: Padres vs Dodgers NRFI (-115 at FanDuel)

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