Ricky Dimon
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Game 2s in the Major League Baseball wild-card round of the postseason will take center stage on Wednesday. The Twins, Rangers, Phillies and Diamondbacks are all looking to close out their respective series. The YRFI/NRFI market has become extremely popular in baseball betting. After all, you don’t have to sit around for 3 hours (or maybe a lot less now that games are not as long on average!) to see if your wager hits; the satisfaction (or in some cases disappointment) is immediate. It all comes down to the first inning.
Here are my favorite YRFI/NRFI plays for Wednesday, and also be sure to check out all of our MLB picks for today’s games, especially after our expert’s went 7-1 on their plays yesterday.
Toronto Blue Jays vs Minnesota Twins: NRFI (-130)
The Twins crossed the plate twice in the first inning on Tuesday, but I’m not too worried about them doing similar damage in Game 2 against the Blue Jays. Minnesota was a modest #14 in baseball during the regular season with 0.52 runs scored per first inning. It’s also important to note that nobody on the Twins has ever done anything against Jose Berrios. Carlos Correa is the only guy who has produced any kind of success whatsoever, going 4-for-14 (.286) with only 1 extra-base hit (a double). Berrios won 11 games while compiling a 3.65 ERA this year and in 5 September starts he pitched to a 3.41 ERA. The right-hander has delivered a clean opening frame in 7 of his last 8 outings.
Although Minnesota scored 2 runs right away in the series opener, only 4 runs in total were put on the board as the home team earned a 3-1 victory. Offenses were quiet and I expect that to be the story again on Wednesday, at least in the early stages. The Twins are countering with Sonny Gray, whose 2.79 ERA included a 2.04 mark in August and a 2.00 number in September. It’s safe to say that Gray is riding a freight train of momentum heading into the playoffs. The righty has allowed a first-inning tally just once in his last 9 appearances. No one near the top of Toronto’s lineup is batting better than .250 lifetime against Gray (Cavan Biggio is 1-for-4 with a single). I’m rolling with the NRFI at a fair -130 price.
Don’t miss our Blue Jays vs Twins Same Game Parlay at +575 odds
Miami Marlins vs Philadelphia Phillies: YRFI (+100)
Zack Wheeler got the Phillies off to a strong start in this series, but that obviously means he won’t be taking the mound on Wednesday. Thus the Marlins now have a good chance to score some runs early and often. Aaron Nola compiled a disappointing 4.46 ERA this season, including a dreadful 5.47 mark in the month of September. Four weeks ago, Miami roughed him up to the tune of 4 earned runs in just 4.1 innings of work. Luis Arraez is 3-for-9 lifetime against Nola with a double and a triple, while Jorge Soler is 5-for-16 with a double and 2 walks.
Braxton Garrett is looking to keep the visitors’ season alive. Garrett worked to a 5.40 ERA in 2 appearances against the Phillies this season and he has struggled against a few guys near the top of the lineup. Alec Bohm is 5-for-9 with a home run, J.T. Realmuto is 3-for-7 with a homer and double and Bryce Harper is 3-for-9 with 2 doubles. Both teams should have a good chance of finding the scoreboard immediately in Game 2.
Don’t miss our full Miami Marlins vs Philadelphia Phillies predictions on the side and total
