Best NRFI Bets Today: The Pitchers to Back on Friday, July 19

Best NRFI Bets Today

We've finally got baseball back in our lives after a long All-Star break, and there's no better way to ring in the second half than with the most exciting bet in baseball -- No Run in the First Inning.

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

I've found plenty of spots which may work out here as offenses shake off the rust and get back to business, but I'm particularly fond of an interesting pitching matchup in Pittsburgh between Aaron Nola and Martin Perez. I'll then stick on the east coast to take a look at a pitcher's duel in Toronto before heading out west.

Let's get into those bets and give out some MLB NRFI predictions for Friday, July 19.

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MLB NRFI Prediction for Phillies vs Pirates

I'll admit, this one doesn't look like the most obvious NRFI on paper. The Phillies returned their best bats to the top of the lineup just prior to the conclusion of the first half, and they'll be taking aim at a pitcher who's had all sorts of trouble in Martin Perez.

The lefty should have a platoon advantage, however, as he faces two lefties to start this game off -- and with a 1.93 ERA in the first inning of games this year he seems to be a solid bet to get things started on the right foot.

• The Phillies are tied for just 19th place in terms of hitting the NRFI, and now they'll receive a significant park downgrade in pitcher-friendly Pittsburgh.

As the Phillies take aim at fly balls here against a lefty that loves to serve them up, I think Perez should once again navigate around any trouble he may find himself in and welcome the left-handed nature of the top of this order.

I'm far less concerned about Aaron Nola here, too, given the Pirates have experienced some slightly better results this month in large part due to plenty of power. He's brought his Expected Slugging down more than 30 points this year and has displayed an excellent ability to pitch to contact, utilizing his breaking pitches to get outs in the air.

We'll get off to a slow start in this one as both offenses adjust to the respective pitchers.

NRFI Prediction: Phillies vs Pirates NRFI (-111 at FanDuel)

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

MLB NRFI Prediction for Tigers vs Blue Jays

I'm a noted Chris Bassitt non-believer, but I do believe the break came at a poor time for the Tigers. They were tearing the cover off the ball heading into the break, and will now face a pitcher who's done a good job of pitching to outs on the ground in a merely average park for home runs.

• Power has carried the Tigers to great heights this month, but they've been awfully averse to pitchers who can limit damage in the air and will now have to deal with Bassitt.
• The Blue Jays also rank near the top of the league in Outs Above Average on defense, making this even trickier for Detroit.

Then, it's pretty hard to find any flaws with Jack Flaherty. The righty has done just about everything you'd want, racking up punchouts, getting groundouts and pitching to few expected hits and few hard-hit balls.

Toronto has been rather undisciplined at the plate with a low walk rate and is hitting just .239 this month. Flaherty should have no issues delivering us a NRFI, given his palatable 3.38 ERA in the first inning this year.

NRFI Prediction: Tigers vs Blue Jays NRFI (-130 at FanDuel)

Not sure where to place your bet? Be sure to check out our ballislifebets section. 

MLB NRFI Prediction for Astros vs Mariners

This one should be a pitcher's duel if I've ever seen one.

No, I don't think Luis Castillo and Hunter Brown are the top two arms going on this slate, but one thing they've both done at a high rate is produce fly balls. That's no coincidence for Castillo, considering he pitches in one of the most arduous parks in the game to find success through the air, and he's once again produced an inordinate number of pop-ups this season in a nod to the weak contact he's induced.

Brown's actually avoided fly balls given they worked against him early in the year, but in two starts this month that number has risen considerably. He's continued to produce whiffs and strikeouts, however, which has helped him work around those issues.

• The Mariners love to strike out, and they love to put the ball in the air, which should make this a dream spot for Brown.

The Astros rank 28th when it comes to producing the NRFI, and while Brown's had his issues in the first inning this year those mainly stem from his poor April.

NRFI Prediction: Astros vs Mariners NRFI (-125 at Caesars)