Javan Shouey
As we enter the weekend, we are blessed with an exciting 15-game slate of MLB action on Friday, June 27. There are several games worth attacking when it comes to first-inning props today, but this article covers my 2 favorite YRFI and NRFI bets for this slate. Let’s dive in, while you can also find out our MLB picks for EVERY GAME today, with our team of experts currently on an INSANE 35-13 run over the past 4 days!
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Phillies vs Braves – YRFI (-130)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -140 odds.
I expect early scoring in Friday’s matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. Atlanta is starting Bryce Elder who is not a starting pitcher that I often trust. The right-hander made an all-star appearance in 2023, but he fell off a cliff in the 2nd half of that season and has yet to return to form. It appears that the true Bryce Elder is closer to a quad-A level pitcher who can supplant a rotation with replacement innings during the season. He is tasked with a matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies in this matchup and I like how the Phillies profile against his pitch mix. Elder can tend to get wild at times and he enters this spot in poor form with 3 iffy outings this month alone.
Mick Abel is starting for the Phillies in this game, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him struggle in this spot either. The rookie arm was highly touted in the Phillies organization and has had a decent start to his MLB career, but I expect some regression in his next few outings. The right-hander struggled with commanding the strike zone throughout his time in the minor leagues and we could see his walk rate rise as a result. The Braves are also a quality lineup with the potential to score off anyone, especially in the first inning when their best bats are locked in to bat. Given the starting pitching matchup, I think there is a high liklihood of runs within the first inning tonight.
Find out today’s MLB best bets, with our experts boasting a 76-56 record this season!
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Marlins vs Diamondbacks – NRFI (-125)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -135 odds.
My favorite NRFI bet of the day comes in the matchup between the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks. Eury Perez will make his 4th start of the season but he is still not being priced for his potential. The talented right-hander took the league by storm as a rookie in 2023 with a 3.15 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 91.1 innings of work. Injury prevented him from pitching in 2024, and his 2025 campaign was delayed as a result, but the righty is still just 22-years-old with endless potential. Eury is tasked with a tough matchup against Arizona, but the Diamondbacks are without Corbin Carroll still which makes the top of their order a bit weaker.
Merrill Kelly is drawing the start for the Diamondbacks, and he enters this matchup in great form. The right-handed veteran has seen a noticeable uptick in his strikeout production during recent outings and overall, he has been Arizona’s most consistent option in their rotation so far. Kelly tossed 6 innings of 1-run ball with 9 punch outs in his first matchup with Miami this season and I expect another strong outing from him tonight.
Read our full Marlins vs Diamondbacks prediction
