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Value Lies With Astros vs. White Sox Matchup (Aug. 16)

MLB NRFI Odds, Expert Picks & Predictions: Value Lies With Astros vs.  White Sox Matchup (Aug. 16) article feature image
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Logan Riely/Getty Images. Pictured: Justin Verlander.

  • The Houston Astros travel to Illinois to take on the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.
  • Both teams will send aces to the mound, as Justin Verlander takes the bump for the Astros and the White Sox counter with Dylan Cease.
  • Check out Shayne Trail’s top NRFI bet for Tuesday’s MLB games below.

Shayne Trail breaks down his favorite NRFI/YRFI bet of the day below, but you can follow all of his bets in the Action Network app.


No Runs First Innings (-158)

Matchup J. Verlander (Astros) vs. D. Cease (White Sox)
First Pitch 8:10 pm ET
Best Line FanDuel

On Tuesday, We head to Chicago to take an NRFI between two American League teams in the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox.

Justin Verlander has been the best NRFI picture in 2022. He boasts the best NRFI record at 20-1 and owns an impressive 10-1 road NRFI split.

In 81 first-inning batters faced, Verlander has surrendered only 13 hits while holding his opponents to a .176 batting average.

Here’s how the White Sox batters have done against Verlander in the past:

  • AJ Pollock: 3-for-11
  • Yoan Moncada: 1-for-8
  • Eloy Jimenez: 0-for-3

The White Sox will be without their best hitter in Tim Anderson as Moncada slides into the No. 2 spot. He has been slumping in August, though, hitting just 9-for-50 for an average under .200.

The White Sox will counter their ace, Dylan Cease. Cease has gone 18-5 to the NRFI with a proficient 10-2 home NRFI split. He has excelled when facing hitters the first time through the lineup, allowing just a .194 average.

Here’s how Cease has fared in the past against some of these Astros hitters:

  • Yordan Alvarez: 0-for-5
  • Trey Mancini: 0-for-3
  • Aledmys Diaz: 0-for-1

It should be noted when betting on an NRFI that the hardest out is always the first. However, Astros lead-off hitter Jose Altuve has entered a slump. In his last seven days, he has gone 4-for-22 at the plate — good for a .182 average.

The Astros have been trending downward in their first-inning performance on the road this month. In 21 first-inning batters, they have managed just three hits and a .176 average.

Houston achieves the NRFI 65% of the time at home, but it cashes the bet at a much higher 72% rate on the road.

The White Sox are riding a hot 9-1 NRFI streak, and the Astros are right behind them at 7-3. Bet on these teams to continue this streak today.

As always, six outs to glory…


For all of Shayne Trail’s favorite NRFI/YRFI bets, follow him in the Action Network app.

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