Javan Shouey
Friday is here and it is almost time to enjoy another summer weekend! But first, we have a loaded slate of MLB action that involves numerous intriguing pitching matchups. There are a couple of YRFI/NRFI bets that are standing out to me from a value perspective this morning, so let’s dive in! You can also get our experts’ MLB picks for EVERY GAME today.
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Guardians vs Royals – NRFI (-110)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -120 odds.
Friday’s matchup between the Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals is set to see Gavin Williams and Michael Wacha square off as opposing starting pitchers. Both Williams and Wacha have found stretches of success this season, and I expect both starting options to perform well in this spot. Williams has pitched very well across his last 3 starts, providing the Guardians with 18 innings and 4 earned runs allowed in that span. In his first 20 starts, the talented right-hander has allowed a run in the first inning 6 times, but I think he can take advantage of this Royals offense at the moment.
Wacha has been lights out this season to start games for KC, allowing a first-inning run just once in his first 20 starts. Overall, the veteran right-hander has had a productive season for Kansas City, circulating rumors that he could potentially be moved at the trade deadline if a big enough package presents itself. His last 2 starts have resulted in 11 innings of 2-run ball, so he enters this matchup in good form as well. The Guardians’ offense is not an overly powerful offensive unit, and I favor the NRFI in this matchup on Friday as my first YRFI/NRFI best bet.
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YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Mariners vs Angels – NRFI (-115)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -125 odds.
Bryan Woo was not his sharpest in his last start, allowing 4 earned runs with an additional unearned run crossing the plate across his 6 innings of work. Woo always provides depth for his team with his efficiency and heavy workload, but I expect his production in this start to exceed his last performance. The right-hander has yet to face this Angels lineup in 2025, and I look for his fastball to generate a bunch of whiffs within the zone in this matchup. I am a fan of how Woo matches up against the weaknesses of this Angels lineup, and at the very least, I expect a strong first inning from him tonight.
Jose Soriano is a polarizing pitcher who seems to have fans and detractors around the league and around the betting community. Soriano is intriguing to me and if there is ever a way in which he can improve his command, the sky is the limit with his potential. The hard-throwing right-hander is prone to occasional poor outings, but his overall performance in 2025 has been pretty strong with a 3.83 ERA in 120 innings of work. Like Woo, Soriano has yet to face this opposing lineup this season, and that lack of familiarity should favor pitching early on. In what should be an interesting matchup, I lean towards a scoreless first inning on Friday night as my second YRFI/NRFI best bet.
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