NRFI Picks for Tonight's MLB Games, Thursday September 4, 2025

Two potential playoff previews are on the diamond tonight in MLB action. The Astros and Yankees square off in a grudge match, and the Phillies and Brewers face each other in the National League.

The rosters may have changed over the last few years for the Yanks and 'Stros, but the bad blood between the franchises still exist. You get the feeling that when pint-sized Jose Altuve looks up at giant Aaron Judge, it's to give him the stink eye.

I make three NRFI/YRFI picks for today's MLB contests. That's No Runs First Inning and Yes Runs First Inning, for those of you not familiar with baseball props bets.

Odds in this betting preview are taken from Caesars Sportsbook. Please practice responsible gaming, and always stay within your betting budget.

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Yankees at Astros: NRFI at -120

On Wednesday, Yordan Álvarez banged out a career-best four hits against the Yankees. His effort spearheaded a Houston comeback win over New York in Space City.

Now that Alvarez is back where he belongs in the Houston lineup, the Astros are a serious contender to win the American League pennant. The league has not felt this wide open in a while, and yes it could be the much-loathed Astros who sneak away with the flag. The team has four pennants the last eight years, which might be tiresome to some.

On Thursday, southpaw Carlos Rodón is on the hill for the Yankees

He has a 3.38 ERA in the first inning. His opponent is Cristian Javier, who is finally back in the rotation for Houston. Javier is as nasty as any pitcher in baseball when he's healthy.

WAGER: Bet $120 and if the Astros and Yankees do not combine for at least one run in the first inning, you win $100.

NRFI: Phillies vs Brewers at -145

Venezuela and the Dominican Republic could meet each other in the World Baseball Classic next spring. That's when we might see a matchup of Ranger Suárez (VEN) and Freddy Peralta (DR) in the premier international baseball tournament.

Or we can see those two fine MLB pitchers on Thursday.

The Brewers are baseball's most complete team

The Phillies are on a collision course with Milwaukee. Both teams should win a division title, and both may receive a first round bye. Until that potential meeting in the NL Championship Series, we have tonight's game.

With two legitimate Cy Young Award candidates on the bump, this game seems sure to deliver excitement. That's if you enjoy swings and misses, and broken bats.

Peralta is seeking win number 17

His ERA is 2.58, and he hasn't allowed a run in 24 1/3 innings. On the other side, Suárez has allowed only one run in his last two starts. He has a 23-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his last three outings. The shoulders are brilliant in this matchup.

BEST BET: If we get fantastic spinning pitches from Suárez and Peralta and no runs in the first inning, your $45 wager will win a cool $100.

Skenes on hill to face the Dodgers in Pittsburgh

-155 No Runs First Inning Odds for LAD at MIL

Paul Skenes will almost certainly win the NL Cy Young Award. He's having a remarkable second season: proving his rookie campaign was no fluke. In July he became the first pitcher to start the All-Star Game in each of his first two seasons.

On Thursday, Skenes gets to face the defending world champions

This is the second time Skenes has taken the mound against LA this season. In April, Skenes tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings against Freddie Freeman & Co., helping to defeat them, 3-2.

Skenes has made 28 starts, and in 17 of them he's allowed zero or one earned run. He will be more than a handful, even for Teoscar Hernandez and Shohei Ohtani.

No slouch Blake Snell will be the starter for the Dodgers

The lean lefty from the Pacific Northwest has made five starts since coming off the Injured List early in August. He has a 2.54 ERA since that time, and he's allowed just one first inning run.

WAGER: I like a big, fat zero in the opening frame in Pittsburgh tonight. Bet $155 and you win $100 if that happens.