MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bet Odds & Picks: Thursday (9/5)
The playoffs are right around the corner, and plenty of standings are still up in the air. For those unaware, NRFI stands for No Runs First Inning. It's a popular betting market where gamblers wager on whether the first inning of an MLB game will end with zero runs scored by either team. Pretty simple. These bets heavily depend on the starting pitchers and consider factors like pitcher stats, team tendencies, ballpark conditions and weather.
Some teams consistently score early, while others struggle. NRFI bets are the best because they're quick. Sometimes you'll know the outcome within minutes. Some pitchers excel in the first inning due to their repertoire or mental approach. NRFI capitalizes on this. If you've done your research, NRFI bets can provide an edge over other markets. I'm here to help provide that edge. As always, shop around for the best odds and be on the lookout for any lineup changes or injury news. Let's get to it.
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Team View
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Matchup View
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- MLB Consensus Odds
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Thursday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
Last Time: 2-1 | MLB Season: 24-15 | Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
Detroit Tigers at San Diego Padres
Starting Pitchers: Casey Mize vs. Martin Perez
Considering the splits on these pitchers and the offenses these two teams have, or lack thereof, this might be the best NRFI bet I've made all season. Casey Mize takes the bump for the Tigers with a mid 4.00 ERA in the opening frame. What helps here is how few of the Padres have faced Mize. Luis Arraez is the only batter in the top of the lineup who has seen Mize and he's hit .250 lifetime against him.
Martin Perez gets the nod for San Diego and he's been solid in the first inning, with a 2.45 ERA in the first frame. He hasn't allowed a single home run in 22.0 innings this year in the first inning and is limiting opponents to a .220 batting average. San Diego is a solid first-inning scoring team but Detroit is not and based on the near-plus odds you'd think both these teams would be facing struggling pitchers with electric offenses. That simply isn't the case here so snagging this is a steal and a half.
Play: NRFI (-102)
Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates
Starting Pitchers: Jake Irvin vs. Bailey Falter
This is more fading either offense than trusting a pitcher in this matchup. Both teams rank outside the top 20 in first-inning runs with the Nationals ranking in the bottom five. Bailey Falter hasn't exactly been great of late but he has handled Washington well in his career, and being a lefty favors him here. Jake Irvin has been solid with a 2.57 ERA this season in the opening inning with only three home runs allowed across 28.0 innings, good for a .667 opponent OPS. Both offenses are sluggish early on. Considering neither team is vying for a playoff spot, I'd favor the pitchers over the batters who have played over 100 games now this season and trust fatigue setting in and getting out of the gate slowly, cashing the NRFI.
Play: NRFI (-111)
Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves
Starting Pitchers: Austin Gomber vs. Reynaldo Lopez
Let's end with a bang. Reynaldo Lopez this year has been my go-to pitcher when wanting to find a team to fade scoring in the first inning. He owns an 0.82 ERA in the opening frame across 22 starts. He's a lock to keep opponents scoreless to start the game. Gomber on the other hand is the exact opposite. With a 10.38 ERA in the first inning this year actress 26 starts, I think you can tell where I'm going with this. The Braves are trying to hold onto that Wild Card spot and rank in the top 10 this season in first-inning runs. Instead of betting Yes Runs First Inning (YRFI), I'm taking Braves first-inning Moneyline. If a team scores early here, it's going to be the Braves.
Play: Braves 1st inning Moneyline (+240)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday: