Javan Shouey
We have just about a month left of regular season MLB action, and I am looking to get this week started with 2 winners in the NRFI department. Both of our NRFI best bets for today’s action come from games between NL East opponents, so let’s dive in!
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Phillies vs Mets – NRFI (-125)
Odds available at FanDuel sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -130 odds.
Cristopher Sanchez and the Philadelphia Phillies are well on their way towards the divisional crown as the NL East was not as competitive atop the division as expected entering the season. With a 7-game lead in the division, the Phillies main goal is to hold onto that 2nd seed in the NL and earn a first-round bye. Kodai Senga and the Mets are currently holding onto their playoff lives, entering Monday’s matchup just 1.5 games ahead of Cincinnati for the final wild card position. While no longer a battle for first place in the division, this series still has massive implications.
I expect both starting pitchers to deliver a clean first inning in Monday’s matchup. Sanchez has tossed a scoreless first inning in 20 of his 25 starts this season and enters this matchup in great form with a quality start in 4 straight outings. Senga has also been terrific in the first inning, tossing a scoreless opening frame in 16 of his 20 starts so far in 2025. The right-hander was knocked around a bit by the Nationals in his last outing but has still put together solid production for the Mets and is one of their more reliable starting options.
YRFI/NRFI Best Bet: Braves vs Marlins – NRFI (-130)
Odds available at Caesars sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -135 odds.
Staying in the same division for our 2nd bet, I expect a scoreless first inning in Monday’s matchup between the Braves and the Marlins. Atlanta has not had the season they hoped for, but giving Spencer Strider some innings to regain his form at the tail end of the season could help them as they transition into 2026. It is playing with fire to back Strider in his current state, having allowed 20 earned runs in 11.2 innings pitched this month, but I shamefully believe he will rebound Monday. I understand if you would like to avoid this NRFI, but perhaps you may want to isolate Eury Perez against the Braves lineup.
Some books offer NRFI angles for one half of the inning alone. While the price on that leg may be closer to -300 or so, some books allow for parlays on this type of bet, and you could utilize Perez in that fashion if you desire. Eury is one of the more electric young arms the sport has to offer, and I expect solid production in his final few starts of 2025. The right-hander did allow 5 earned runs to the Braves in their last matchup, but Perez has the stuff required to power through a close proximity rematch. Look for him to deliver a scoreless first inning for his club on Monday.
