NRFI & YRFI Best Picks 8/19/2025 Today’s MLB Picks

Minnesota Twins vs Athletics 7:40 PM EST

Pick: NRFI

The Minnesota Twins (58–66) host the Oakland Athletics (56–70) for the first game of a three-game series at Target Field, with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET. The Twins rely on right-hander Joe Ryan, who boasts an impressive 12–5 record and around a 2.62 ERA and has allowed two or fewer runs in eight of his last nine starts. Oakland counters with veteran lefty Jacob Lopez (6–6, 3.30 ERA), coming off a dominant stretch where he has thrown at least seven innings in his last two starts and hasn’t allowed a run across his previous four outings. These have been the most reliable pitchers in both of these rotations, and I expect both of them to be able to get us 3 outs in this one. 

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Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago Cubs 8:05 PM EST

Pick: NRFI

The Milwaukee Brewers visit the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field for a key NL Central matchup. The Brewers, who lead the division by eight games, are coming off a 14-game win streak and continue to rely on strong performances from stars like Christian Yelich and William Contreras. The Cubs, holding a narrow Wild Card lead at 70–53, are powered by hitters Pete Crow‑Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, and Michael Busch. All three of those guys have been cold as of late. This is a great starting pitching matchup with Woodruff taking the mound for the Brewers and Boyd taking the mound for the Cubs. With both these guys on the mound, I expect this to be a pitchers’ duel, especially in the early innings of this game.

Texas Rangers vs Kansas City Royals 7:40 PM EST

Pick: NRFI

The Texas Rangers visit the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium for a key matchup between two teams competing for an American League Wild Card spot. The Royals, slightly ahead at 63–61, enter on a three-game winning streak and have been 5–1 over their last six games, while the Rangers are struggling, having lost eight of their last ten contests and holding a 62–63 record. Texas will send right-hander Merrill Kelly to the mound, who has a 9–7 record with a 3.36 ERA and has been particularly effective against right-handed hitters, while Kansas City counters with righty Seth Lugo, who sports an 8–6 record and a 3.77 ERA, providing solid reliability. Offensively, both teams have faced challenges: the Rangers rank 24th in MLB in runs per game at 4.10 and are dealing with injuries to key hitters like Adolis García and Jake Burger, while the Royals have been slightly better overall, though still below league average in scoring. Both these teams have struggled at the plate this season, and for those reasons, an NRFI will have to be the play for me.