YRFI/NRFI MLB Picks 9/25: Padres Try to Get Closer to Dodgers
- Take a close look at our MLB bet offers below.
- Consider some action at Dodger Stadium, where there will be some playoff vibes.
- The atmosphere will be different in Oakland for the finale at the Coliseum.
- Read on for more on these games – as well as a potentially historic one in Chicago – and then head to the BetUS Sportsbook for some quality picks.
We had a 2-1 effort on Tuesday, but the one loss came in a game where a team switched its starter after publication (so, really, a 2-0 night). That happens, especially this time of year when there’s little to play for in some stadiums. It’s vitally important to stay on top of the MLB news cycle in order to make sure of things before placing your bet online.
That applies to the first-inning bet suggestions we’ve laid out below.
3 NRFI/YRFI Plays for 9/25
1. Padres vs Dodgers: Stay Classy, San Diego
Easily the highlight of the night on Tuesday was San Diego turning a triple play to clinch a playoff berth while also pulling within two games of Los Angeles in the NL West. It’s the last remaining division race with any intrigue (the Yankees have yet to clinch but are up five games) and it’s hard not to get in on the action with this rivalry.
THE @PADRES ARE HEADING TO THE #POSTSEASON THANKS TO THIS GAME-ENDING TRIPLE PLAY 🤯
ARE YOU KIDDING?!?!!? pic.twitter.com/mB7nZQdQ33
— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2024
We’ll do so on Wednesday with a solid pitching matchup of Jack Flaherty against Dylan Cease. Flaherty is up first as he tries to dig out of a mini-rut, relative to the rest of this season. The 28-year-old gave up seven runs in nine innings over his last two starts, serving up a pair of dingers at lowly Miami his last time out.
Flaherty has had great command in the first inning this year, posting 32 strikeouts against just three walks. However, it’s the only frame among the first four in which opponents have a slugging percentage over .400 (.406) and runs do come in from time to time – four of them in nine starts since joining L.A.
The San Diego Padres are tied for third in the majors in runs per first on the road (0.69) and the usual top three in their lineup – Luis Arraez, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jurickson Profar – are a combined 10-for-18 (.556!!!) with two homers and four doubles against Flaherty.
As for Cease, one of his few bugaboos is an inability to regularly have clean first innings. That hasn’t been the case of late, as the durable righty is riding a streak of 16⅓ scoreless frames. But before you think that that cements a scoreless first for him, remember that his ERA in that inning for the year is 5.91 and this is the Dodgers we’re talking about. They scored a run in the first in the series opener and lead the majors by a wide margin in first-inning scoring percentage at home (41.18).
Shohei Ohtani has a pair of homers in 13 at-bats against Cease, and Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman are each hitting .333 against the Padres starter. Buck the MLB odds and take some early runs here.
Bet on Padres-Dodgers First Inning to Score – YES
2. Rangers vs Athletics: Sad Swan Song in Oakland
The finale at Oakland Coliseum is up next, and if the actions of some fans on Tuesday night is any indication, this could be nuts. Hopefully, there will be some nice moments, too, that reflect what’s been a great marriage between team and city.
Fans are taking the literal seats out of the Coliseum 😭 pic.twitter.com/tmbSCM1YSY
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) September 25, 2024
Rookie Brady Basso will be a trivia answer forever when he gets the A’s final start in the old yard. While the Oakland to Sacramento to Las Vegas future of the organization is murky, Basso at least provides some promise. He’s posted a 2.33 ERA this year, going 1-0 with a 1.69 mark in three starts since his September call-up.
We only have those three starts to go by as Basso worked in relief earlier in the year, but he has yet to allow a run in the first, second, third or fourth innings. That’s 12 total frames with nary a run across.
Cody Bradford gets the final start for a road team in the Coliseum. He has a quality start in six of his last seven outings, including seven innings of two-run ball against Oakland last month. Bradford also went 6⅔ without allowing an earned run against the A’s in March, so he has their number.
Oakland is 26th in the majors in runs per first at home (0.43). This should be a solid outing for Bradford.
Bet on Rangers-Athletics First Inning to Score – NO
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3. Angels vs White Sox: Avoiding Infamy in Chi-Town
Chicago avoided a record 121st loss in the opener of this series thanks to a blunder by Los Angeles. It’ll try to remain stuck on 120 defeats for another day behind Davis Martin, who has yet to pitch in a win this year, with the Chicago White Sox losing each of the 10 games in which he’s appeared.
The White Sox might escape the inevitable tonight thanks to the Angels pic.twitter.com/LUpHVrFfgc
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 25, 2024
Nine of those 10 outings have been as a starter and Martin has often failed at getting off on the right foot. He’s given up eight runs in his nine first innings, with four homers doing most of the damage.
The Angels don’t do a whole lot in the first inning – or any frame, for that matter – but they managed seven hits and a couple of walks in five frames against Martin on Sept. 17. There’s at least a chance for some early traffic here.
Jose Suarez will be making his third start of the year for Los Angeles to go along with 19 games out of the bullpen. Although he’s been pretty good of late, the lefty has been very hittable and quite wild over the last two years.
Even a league-worst lineup like Chicago may scratch one across. If the payout for such an MLB bet is a good one, then go crazy and give it a whirl.
Bet on Angels-White Sox First Inning to Score – YES
Take A Look At These Other MLB Special Articles
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Question Of The Day
Any MLB news items that can impact wagers over the final few days?
Well, the marquee event in Atlanta between the Mets and Braves this week is under threat of severe weather as Helene bears down on Florida and Georgia, and maybe a few other states if you have a sharpie handy.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.