MLB NRFI/YRFI Best Bets Today: Expert Picks & Predictions for Friday’s Slate (6/9/23)

A full slate of MLB games resumes us on Friday as wildfire smoke clears up and postponements dwindle. Let’s take a look at the odds for this Friday slate as well as where to find some of the best NRFI and YRFI bets.

MLB Best NRFI/YRFI Bets For June 9

Here’s a look at the best NRFI and YRFI bets from Friday’s slate of MLB games.

Twins vs. Blue Jays NRFI (-120)

It’s hard not to like what Sonny Gray has done for the Twins this season, even if he hasn’t been as sharp of late as he was early on. Gray just allowed his first home run of the season in his last start, and he hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any start. His 2.44 FIP indicates his raw numbers are not a fluke.

Bo Bichette is a constant threat to slap a single or double and give the Blue Jays a chance to score quickly, but Gray’s excellent prevention of home runs is a great sign. The Twins, meanwhile, have scored a total of six runs over their last five games. Six. Minnesota’s offense is reeling right now, and the team has an OPS of just .657 on the road.

Yusei Kikuchi allows an embarrassing amount of home runs – already 17 this season – but with the way the Twins have been hitting plus how much they’ve disappointed on the road, you’ll take the value that comes from his struggles and ride it. NRFI at -120 is the pick.

Rangers vs. Rays NRFI (-128)

There’s still some value on a NRFI bet here because of how talented both lineups are. The top five hitters in the Rangers’ lineup make Texas one of the most feared offensive teams in baseball, while the Rays have done nothing but hit consistently all season. Still, the right pitchers are on the mound to handle them.

Tyler Glasnow is excellent in short bursts and looked like his old self when he held the Red Sox scoreless into the 4th inning in his last start. Whether he can continue to do that in the middle and later innings is still a burning question, but Glasnow’s ability to come out firing makes this NRFI an attractive bet.

On the other side, Andrew Heaney isn’t even one of the Rangers’ top three starters but still has allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his last four starts. Home runs were an issue early in the season, but he seems to have gotten that problem under control recently. With Randy Arozarena and Yandy Diaz no longer hitting for the same power as earlier in the season, the odds of Heaney escaping the 1st inning unscathed are solid. NRFI at -120 is the pick here.

Marlins vs. White Sox YRFI (+102)

Dylan Cease has really struggled to find his footing for the White Sox this season, with his walk rate elevated and strikeout rate concerningly down. Last year, a matchup between Cease and the Marlins’ offense would’ve looked like a potential disaster for Miami, but right now it might favor the Marlins.

The top of Miami’s lineup is a real threat. Luis Arraez is constantly getting on base as he has his AVG up to .403, while Bryan De La Cruz has been hot for about a month. Between Jesus Sanchez (home runs in each of his last two games) and Jorge Soler, there is enough pop to make the Marlins an early scoring threat.

The White Sox are less imposing at the top of the lineup, with too many singles hitters before Luis Robert. Still, Chicago has been playing much better of late. Will the offense be tired after a doubleheader on Thursday? It’s possible.

It will still be interesting to see whether they can rattle 20-year-old Eury Perez, whose 4.29 FIP indicates he’s due for some regression soon. Between Robert and Tim Anderson, established hitters could be a challenge for Perez after he just faced the lowly A’s. There’s enough value on YRFI (+102) to make the bet.