It's Friday, May 23, in MLB, so I'm running back our NRFI picks today. This time around, though, I'm taking Paul Skenes and a lock on his NRFI (-160), followed by a riskier wager on the Dodgers and Mets to produce a YRFI.
NRFI Pick Today: Brewers vs Pirates (-160 at Sportsbook)
Brewers vs Pirates Odds – 6:40 p.m. ET
The NRFI GOAT, Paul Skenes, is back in action, putting his 10-0 NRFI record on the line against a Brewers offense with a .241 batting average in the first inning. This should be an easy bet, though the action will likely move these odds closer to -180.
Skenes is an automatic NRFI. He hasn't allowed a run, and opposing hitters are just 6-for-34 against him with only singles in the first frame.
Brew Crew starter Freddy Peralta is money in the first inning, too. He owns an 8-2 NRFI record with a 2.70 ERA in the first. The Pirates are also a floundering offense with a .208 BA in the first frame. Everything is coming up NRFI in this one, so perhaps you can roll it into a parlay with my next pick.
YRFI Pick Today: Dodgers vs Mets (-120 at Sportsbook)
Dodgers vs Mets Odds – Game Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
The Dodgers are one of baseball's best YRFI squads, according to our NRFI betting trends page, so let's hope they play the part Friday.
The pitching matchup is the key here. Clayton Kershaw looked awful in his first start of the year, yielding five runs in four innings with three walks and just two strikeouts. I'm sure the future Hall of Famer will find his stride, but the Mets offense could be all over him, setting up at least a decent chance of a YRFI in the bottom half.
I'm more focused on the top half of this one, though, when Griffin Canning faces the mighty Dodgers offense. Active Dodgers own a .968 OPS off Canning with four homers in 48 at-bats. I'll bet L.A. gets to Canning right away in this contest.
