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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (8/28)

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Welcome back to another day of sports betting as the MLB season continues. We're in the dog days of summer as the playoff race takes shape. Teams have already made moves and that only gets the excitement going to bet some more NRFI's. NRFI stands for No-Run First Inning. It's a popular betting market where bettors wager on whether the first inning of an MLB game will end with zero runs scored by either team. Pretty simple. NRFI bets are the best because they're quick; sometimes you'll know the outcome within minutes. NRFI bets can provide an edge over other markets if you’ve researched. I'm here to help provide that edge. As always, shop around for the best odds and be on the lookout for lineup announcements, which can significantly impact the outcome.

Let's dive into some games on this August 28 slate.

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Thursday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks

Last Time: 1-1 | Season: 23-18 | All odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies

Starting Pitchers: Cal Quantrill vs. Aaron Nola 

To start the day, it's NL East rivals going head-to-head between the Braves and Phillies. We have a rare case where the NRFI is plus money. That must really mean these pitchers are struggling. Cal Quantrill and Aaron Nola both have ERA's of 5.50 or higher. But the splits are a bit more promising for limited run production. For Quantrill, his first inning ERA is a 2.88, limiting opponents to a .591 OPS. He's also limited Kyle Schwarber to go 3-for-19 against him lifetime with Bryce Harper going 2-for-10. Trea Turner is a different story but to have that against two of their top three in the lineup I will take. Aaron Nola is letting up a .300 batting average against but in the opening frame that drops to .214 with just a .592 OPS. He's been a little unlucky with the runs that have resulted from it but he's done well at not allowing a lot early on. Like Quantill, Nola has also had historical success against two of the top three in the Braves' projected lineup. The fact that we're getting plus money here is a steal, especially with the Braves on the road as I'd peg them the bigger threat to score at the top of the game. Taking the plus money option here feels pretty easy.

Pick: NRFI (+125)

Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals

Starting Pitchers: Braxton Ashcraft vs. Miles Mikolas

Next up we have another pair of divisional foes facing off as the Pirates travel to St. Louis to take on the Cardinals. Braxton Ashcraft is starting for Pittsburgh for just the fifth time this season and he's been stellar as a starter. In his last three starts, he's only allowed two runs over 13.1 IP. More importantly for our purposes, he's yet to allow a first inning run this year. None of the batters have seen Ashcraft before which only benefits the pitcher. Miles Mikolas has been shotty for the Cardinals but Pittsburgh has had the second highest NRFI percentage this year. He hasn't been the best in the opening frame but his home/away splits are promising with a 3.70 ERA at home compared to 6.79 on the road. I trust the Pirates to not score more than I trust Mikolas limiting Pittsburgh. Either way, I don't expect either team to score here.

Pick: NRFI (-120)

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