Some guys are slow starters. That’s a fact of life. And some teams come smokin’ out of the gate more than others. We have taken a look at some pitchers who, if they are going to gather some momentum, might have to get past the opening frame to do it.

MLB Bookies Bonuses

We are going to translate this to picking a winner for several first inning props (or who will score first). We think we’re going to cash big.

Angels vs. Twins 1st Inning Props

Angels vs. Twins Betting Report

To Win 1st Inning:

Twins +210 / Angels +320 / Tie -110

Woof, woof, woof! Get the binoculars out, because this ball may be going a long way. Andrew Heaney has given up 15 homers this season,and six of them have been in the first inning. All told, Heaney has surrendered a 1.021 OPS in the first inning, which is territory you just don’t want to be in if you are a pitcher. The ERA is 7.88 and the WHIP ratio is just under 2.000 and he’s got a 5.56 ERA to begin with.

Nelson Cruz has homered against him once in every seven plate appearances, so he’s got that to look forward to as well.

The Play: TWINS (+210)

MLB Moneyline Odds

Rays vs. Indians 1st Inning Props

Rays vs. Indians Betting Report

To Win 1st Inning:

Rays +270 / Indians +280 / Tie -120

Luis Patino hasn’t exactly been rocked in the first inning, but he has given up a higher OPS in the first than in any other inning (.919). In four starts, he has struck out seven of 17 first-inning hitters, but he has also given up two first-inning homers. That’s one for every 8.5 batters he’s faced.

The Play: INDIANS (+280)

Yankees vs. Red Sox 1st Inning Props

Yankees vs. Red Sox Betting Report

To Score the First Run:

Yankees -140 / Red Sox +110

Jordan Montgomery has been at least serviceable for the Yankees (4.18 ERA), although his presence hasn’t exactly alleviated the need for his team to seek starting pitching help as the trade deadline approaches. One thing Montgomery has had to deal with is at least some trouble in the first inning of games. He has put one-third of the batters he’s faced on base, one way or another, and he has surrendered five extra base hits (including two homers) and nine walks. He also has a lower strikeout percentage than he has in other innings. The Red Sox lead the major leagues in first inning runs per game (0.81), and for what it’s worth, they have sent eight men across the plate in the opening frame over the last three games.

The Play: RED SOX (+110)

MLB Moneyline Predictions

Giants vs. Dodgers 1st Inning Props

Giants vs. Dodgers Betting Report

To Win 1st Inning:

Dodgers +240 / Giants +375 / Tie -135

DeSclafani, the guy who sounds like he should be in “The Sopranos,” has been very effective for the Giants and a big part of their success. But he has yielded eight extra base hits (including four homers) in first inning play, so his .437 slugging percentage (against) is higher than any other inning.

And now let’s go over his starts against the Dodgers this season, which have not been fun-filled. DeSclafani has allowed 15 earned runs in 12-1/3 innings, and has been reached for five home runs. On June 28, L.A. scored twice against him in the first inning. The Dodgers are fifth in the majors in first inning runs at 0.68 per game.

The Play: DODGERS (+240)