Javan Shouey
The weekend is almost here but first we have a loaded 15-game slate of MLB action to digest. This article covers my two favorite NRFI and YRFI best bets of the slate, so let’s dive in and discuss!
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Blue Jays vs Yankees – NRFI (+105)
Odds available at DraftKings sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -105 odds.
The Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees are set to square off Friday evening and I expect to see a scoreless first inning with both starting pitchers beginning the game strong. Toronto is turning to Kevin Gausman as the veteran right-hander looks to make his 28th start of the season. In his first 27 outings Gausman has delivered a scoreless first inning 19 times including 11 of his 14 road starts this season. When on the road Gausman has a slightly lower ERA while holding opponents to a .195 AVG this season. The Yankees are a tough lineup, but Gausman should deliver a solid outing tonight.
Cam Schlittler is the most recent Yankee pitcher to emerge on the scene and become a weapon in the Bronx. Clarke Schmidt took that step forward last season, but in 2025 it has been Schlittler that has impressed. The right-hander has pitched 48.1 innings so far while posting a 2.61 ERA and recording 54 Ks along the way. The rookie can tend to become wild with his command at times, but his stuff is undeniable, and I look forward to seeing how he develops as a long-term member of the Yankees. He delivered 5 innings of 2-run ball in his first matchup with the Blue Jays, and I expect an even stronger outing this time around.
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Mariners vs Braves – NRFI (-125)
Odds available at DraftKings sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -135 odds.
We have two elite starting pitchers taking the mound Friday as Chris Sale of the Braves and Logan Gilbert of the Mariners face off. Sale was the 2024 Cy Young winner in the National League, posting 177.2 innings of work, his most since 2017. The southpaw has failed to replicate that workload again in 2025, battling injuries that have kept him to 16 starts and 95.1 innings so far. Sale returned to the rotation last turn with 6 innings of 1-run ball and 9 Ks against the Phillies. He will look to keep that form and deliver another strong outing as he takes on a playoff-caliber Mariner lineup.
Gilbert also missed time with injury this season, and this outing will be just his 21st of the season. The right-hander has 103.2 innings under his belt in 2025 with a 3.73 ERA to show for it. His 144 Ks in that span are an extremely impressive mark, and Gilbert should continue to find strikeouts as the season winds down. Atlanta has been a disappointing team this season and their lineup has a large part to do with that. Look for a scoreless first inning between the Braves and Mariners.
