It's another day in America's game, so I'm coming correct with a NRFI pick today.
When the Cubs are in action, I go for the NRFI. After that, I'm eyeing up the Tampa Bay vs KC contest for my second pick.
NRFI Pick Today: Cubs vs Pirates (-135) at Sportsbook
Cubs vs Pirates Odds -- 12:35 pm ET
Paul Skenes (6-0 NRFI) is on the mound, and usually that's enough to blind bet a NRFI. He won't falter, as the Cubs are 21-10 NRFI, baseball's most reliable club in that category. On top of it all, active Cubs hitters own just a .594 OPS vs Skenes in 43 at-bats. We're all good on this side.
Colin Rea (3-0 NRFI) is the other half of this equation Thursday. The lanky righty has been quietly excellent this season, spinning a 0.96 ERA in six games. The Bucs aren't really the offense to shake a pitcher from a hot streak, as Pittsburgh is batting just .205 in the first frame. Pirates hitters own a .734 OPS off Rea, and Bryan Reynolds has some big numbers, but I'm not overly concerned, especially with Skenes holding the fort on the other end.
NRFI Pick Today: Royals vs Rays (-120) at Sportsbook
Royals vs Rays Odds -- 1:10 pm ET
Kansas City is baseball's third-most reliable NRFI squad at 19-12. The Royals offense isn't weak by any means, but the club's sound pitching means teams rarely score against them. Seth Lugo (6-0 NRFI) sets my NRFI pick up well for Thursday. Naturally, he has good numbers vs the Rays, with active TB hitters batting just .240 alongside a .669 OPS.
Rays starter Shane Baz is our wild card here. The 25-year-old has been mostly dominant this season, apart from one blow-up outing on April 19 that caused a YRFI and all kinds of other trouble to come his way. But Baz bounced back, twirling a seven-inning shutout vs the Padres last time out. He's locked in now, and I believe the Royals sleepy first-inning offense won't be ready to break through.
