MLB picks Wednesday 6/21 – YRFI & NRFI best bets today: Banking on Blackburn and Whitlock Performances

Wednesday brings an exciting 15-game slate in the Major League Baseball world, featuring eight matinee matchups. Several teams are concluding their series, preparing to kick off fresh ones on Thursday or Friday, presenting an abundance of opportunities for YRFI/NRFI wagers.

This bet type has become a go-to choice among baseball punters. The beauty of it lies in its immediacy – no need to wait for the entire three hours (or less, as average game times have decreased!) to know if you’ve won or lost. It all comes down to the drama of the first inning.

As I aim to continue my current hot streak of 5-1, here are my top YRFI/NRFI bets for Wednesday’s action. Remember to explore all our MLB picks.

First Match Starting Wednesday 21st June, 7:10 PM ET

BettingPicks Expert YRFI & NRFI Predictions

Boston Red Sox vs Minnesota Twins: NRFI (-115)

Sonny Gray, who’ll be the starting pitcher for the game between the Twins and Red Sox, gives a sense of security for NRFI bettors. Gray’s performance in 2023 has been superb, boasting a record of 4-1 and an ERA of 2.37, along with 79 strikeouts across 76.0 innings. Notably, he has managed to prevent any first inning runs in his past ten appearances. This impressive streak includes a clash against Boston on April 18, where Gray delivered a solid 5.0 innings of 1-run baseball, and secured 7 strikeouts.

Garrett Whitlock, the Red Sox’s choice for the match, has also been in great form lately. He successfully held back the Yankees to 2 runs (1 earned) in 6.1 innings, and later restricted the Rockies to just 2 runs in a 7.0 innings play. Both these games featured flawless first innings from Whitlock. Considering that Max Kepler is the only player in Minnesota’s lineup to ever get a hit off Whitlock, the unfamiliarity could work in the Red Sox’s favor.

Oakland Athletics vs. Cleveland Guardians: NRFI (-125)

This evening’s face-off between the Athletics and Guardians will see Paul Blackburn making his sixth start of the season. Blackburn, with an ERA of 3.48 and 23 strikeouts in his 20.2 innings since his return from injury, has breathed new life into the A’s rotation that had a rocky start to the season.

In his five starts so far, only once has he allowed more than two earned runs. One of Blackburn’s key strengths has been his ability to minimize hard contact, boasting a low 6.6% barrel rate and the lowest 29.5% HardHit% among today’s pitchers.

On the other side, the Guardians are sending their top pitching prospect, Gavin Williams, onto the mound. Ranking 16th on MLB.com’s list of prospects, Williams is eagerly anticipated to make his MLB debut. In his recent ten games across Triple-A and Double-A, Williams recorded a 2.93 ERA with 61 strikeouts over 46 innings, alongside a 3-2 record.

Given that both starting pitchers are well-equipped to manage opposing lineups effortlessly, and considering both Oakland and Cleveland’s less than stellar rankings in wOBA, wRC+, and OBP, we could be in for a low-scoring game.

BettingPicks Expert YRFI & NRFI Predictions

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