MLB NRFI betting odds, picks for Saturday, June 8: Phillies’ Suarez, Mets’ Manaea face off in London | Sporting News

This Saturday’s MLB schedule is loaded with 15 games on tap and every major league team taking the field. The Phillies and Mets are playing in London as part of the MLB World Tour, and there are some excellent pitching matchups across the league.

Great pitchers like Ranger Suarez, MacKenzie Gore, Luis Castillo are Gavin Stone are going. A great way to get in on the MLB betting action this weekend and take advantage of low-scoring games with favorable pitching matchups is to bet on NRFIs — No Run First Inning wagers.

You are betting that neither team will score a run in the first inning — if neither starting pitcher gives up a run in the first, you win. NRFIs have become one of the most popular bets in baseball.

Let’s take a look at the full slate of MLB games today and offer our favorite NRFI picks for Saturday, June 8, at the best U.S. sportsbooks.

More: MLB Betting Sites & Apps | Latest MLB Betting Lines & Odds | What are futures odds?

MLB NRFI picks for Saturday, June 8

Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals

Charlie Morton, the 40-year-old veteran for the Braves, faces the highly-touted youngster MacKenzie Gore for the Nationals. Morton had some rough starts early in the season and, two appearances ago, gave up eight runs to the Nationals. He bounced back, going six innings with no earned runs in his last start. Morton has limited runs early in starts, even when he does not have a great overall outing. In 11 outings this season, he has allowed a first-inning run only twice.

Gore is a cornerstone of the Nationals’ future, but as it goes for many young pitchers, he has been up and down. He allowed six runs against the Mets in his last start, but before that, he had pitched seven straight contests without allowing more than two earned runs. Gore has electric stuff, which has kept opponents from scoring early in most of his outings. He has only allowed a first run once this season.

Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds NRFI

On Saturday, the Cubs will give Ben Brown the baseball to face off with the Reds’ Andrew Abbot. The 24-year-old has been solid this season, his first as a major leaguer. Brown has a 3.33 ERA and has been shut down in many appearances this season. In 14 appearances this season, Brown has not allowed a run in six of them. He has made seven starts, only allowing a first-inning run once.

Andrew Abbot has been strong for the Reds, ranking top 50 in the league with a 3.39 ERA. Over his last six starts, he has only allowed a first-inning run twice.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees NRFI

Two of the best teams in baseball and most storied franchises go head-to-head this weekend, with the Dodgers visiting Yankee Stadium. The Dodgers give the baseball to Gavin Stone, and the youngster has been one of LA’s best pitchers this season. With a 2.90 ERA, he has allowed more than one run once in his last seven starts, giving up a first-inning run once.

New York puts Nestor Cortes on the mound to duel Stone. The crafty lefty is having a solid season and has been strong early in his recent starts, allowing a first-inning run just twice over his last 11 starts.

MLB futures betting: American League MVP odds | National League MVP odds | AL Cy Young odds | NL Cy Young odds | MLB strikeout leader odds | Home run leader odds | AL Rookie of the Year odds | AL futures odds, picks

NRFI pick of the day for Saturday, June 8: Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets in London

Ranger Suarez toes the rubber for the Phillies, and the lefty has arguably been the best baseball pitcher this season. He leads the league with the lowest ERA (1.70) and WHIP (0.80) and is tied for the league lead with nine wins. Suarez has allowed a first-inning run only once in his last 11 chances, as he is holding opponents to very few runs, especially early in games.

The Mets counter with Sean Manaea, one of New York’s best starters this season. He has a 3.63 earned run average and has been at his best early in contests. He has a first-inning run once in 11 appearances. That includes holding the Phillies scoreless in the first inning once already this season. Expect both pitchers to bring their best stuff early with a special matchup in London.