Javan Shouey
The All-Star break is over, and we are back to normally scheduled MLB action. Friday’s slate of games is packed with intriguing matchups, but this article covers our 2 favorite YRFI/NRFI best bets of the day. Let’s dive in!
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: The Athletics vs Cleveland Guardians – NRFI (-115)
Odds available at DraftKings sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -125 odds.
The Athletics have benefited offensively this season from playing their home games in a hitter-friendly minor league park. This has boosted their offensive numbers at home but has also hurt the numbers of their pitchers when starting their home games. JP Sears has a 5.61 ERA in his 43.1 innings at home this season, but that ERA drops to a more respectable 4.14 mark in his 54.1 road innings so far. While still not an elite producer, Sears entered the all-star break in solid form with 16.2 innings of 3-run ball in his final 3 outings. He draws a matchup today against the Guardians who have been far worse offensively this season when facing southpaw pitching. Sears has been at his best the 1st time through the order this season and I expect a clean first inning from him in this matchup.
Slade Cecconi is drawing the start for the Guardians as we exit the all-star break, and the 26-year-old right-hander was pitching very well at the tail end of that first half. Cecconi tossed 6 innings of 2-run ball against the Tigers and then 7 innings of 2-run ball against the Astros in his last 2 starts, showcasing that he can perform well against the best lineups in the American League. He now faces a step down in competition against a more containable Athletics lineup. Cecconi has impressed me so far this season in a Guardians uniform and I expect a scoreless first inning in this matchup.
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners – NRFI (-130)
Odds available at DraftKings sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -135 odds.
Brandon Walter has provided the Houston Astros with some solid work this season through his first 40.2 innings pitched. The 28-year-old southpaw has had 2 poor outings, on the road against the Angels and on the road in Colorado, but otherwise his performance has been strong. His final start before the all-star break resulted in 6 innings with 7 strikeouts and only 2 base runners allowed. Unfortunately, both of those hits resulted in home runs, but I am still a fan of Walter in today’s matchup. The Mariners have been worse when facing left-handed pitching this season offensively, and Walter should find some success in the strikeout department today.
Luis Castillo is not having the strongest of seasons when compared to his career-long standards, but the right-hander is still an above-average MLB starting option. The right-hander has seen a dip in his strikeout production this season, but he did look better in that area during his last 2 starts. Those 2 starts spanned a combined 12 innings with 14 strikeouts to just 2 walks and 3 earned runs allowed. Houston is a solid offensive team, but they have been far more productive this season when playing in their home park. Now on the road in a pitcher-friendly park, I expect a slow start for the offenses tonight.
