MLB RIFI Betting: Buy Atlanta, St. Louis for Early Offense

Miami Faring Best at Keeping Opponents off Board in First

MLB RIFI (runs in first inning) are one of the most popular bets, offering gamblers the opportunity to win (or, in some cases, lose) in a matter of minutes. While it’s still relatively early in the season, some trends are emerging across baseball that should be of interest to bettors.

For some insight, let’s dive deeper into the MLB RIFI betting market.

Atlanta Getting to Work Early

The Braves continue to jump on opposing pitchers. They’ve been baseball’s most productive offense in the first inning this season.

Sunday’s 3-2 win over Seattle marked the 23rd time in 46 games in which Atlanta’s scored in the first inning. The Braves are averaging 0.80 runs during the opening frame, edging the Dodgers (0.79) and Rays (0.79) for most in baseball.

The Braves have hit .310 in the first inning, which also leads the majors. Their .963 first-inning OPS is better than the next-best team by 11 points.

Why has Atlanta fared so well early in the MLB RIFI betting market? The answer is rather obvious. Leadoff hitter Ronald Acuna Jr. has been one of baseball’s best hitters, with a .344 average (second behind Miami’s Luis Arraez, .382), 11 home runs and 27 RBI. His .431 on-base percentage is also second in baseball, as are his 18 stolen bases. Simply put, much like the two hitters behind him in the lineup — first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Austin Riley — Acuna Jr. is a serious threat at the plate.

Cardinals a Model of Efficiency

St. Louis has scored in the first inning in 32 of its 48 games. That’s the highest rate in baseball, ahead of the Dodgers, Red Sox, Reds and Yankees, who have all scored 29 first-inning runs.

Of course, it’s hardly surprising. The top of St. Louis’ lineup is potent. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Nolan Arenado are both perennial All-Stars, and 23-year-old Nolan Gorman is putting together a breakout season. Gorman’s 13 homers are tied for fourth in the majors.

St. Louis‘ first-inning OPS of .891 trails only Atlanta, Tampa Bay and the Dodgers.

Conversely, the Cardinals have been scored upon 21 times in the first inning. That, too, is most in the MLB RIFI betting market, ahead of Arizona (19) and Pittsburgh (18). Perhaps, it helps explain why the Cardinals (21-27) have been one of baseball’s most disappointing teams through the first-quarter mark.

New York Slow to Start

The Mets, of all teams, rank last with 10 first-inning runs. To put it in perspective, that’s fewer than four individual players: Acuna Jr. (15), Aaron Judge (14), Jonathan India (13) and Mookie Betts (11). Additionally, the Mets are the only team yet to hit a home run in the first inning.

Baltimore has plated the second fewest runs in the first inning with 12, followed by Miami (15).New York has also allowed the most first-inning runs in the majors with 42. Its ERA in the opening frame is 7.88.

It’s been a maddening start for the Mets, with their MLB-record $346 million payroll. But with star pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander seemingly healthy again, better days could be ahead for New York. Following a weekend sweep of Cleveland, New York has won five straight and is back above .500 at 25-23, per MLB results.

Miami’s Tops … Well, Sort of

The Marlins have the best NRFI-YRFI record in the majors at 32-15, including 6-4 over their last 10 games. Toronto is next in line at 28-19, followed by Houston at 26-20.

Miami’s top two starters — reigning National League Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara and Jesus Luzardo — have combined to throw 19 scoreless innings in the first.

And the worst NRFI-YRFI record? That belongs to the aforementioned Cardinals at 16-32.

For MLB odds, betting news, analysis and more, visit pointspreads.com
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