MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (6/17)

Here are our favorite No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets for Saturday’s slate.

Saturday’s Best No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Cleveland Guardians vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Pitching matchup: Shane Bieber vs. Tommy Henry

Shane Bieber is still considered one of the game’s best pitchers. In 2023 he was still the foundation of the Guardians rotations, posting a 5-3 record with an ERA of 3.29 and 61 K’s. Despite leading the Guardians in wins and ERA, the advanced numbers show he may be on the backside of his career.

His xERA (4.65), xFIP (.382), and SIERA (4.53) are all as high as they have ever been in his career. His HardHit% of 46.6% is also a career-high and is the 5th highest in the entire MLB.

As for Tommy Henry, He has been a serviceable starter in the back half of Arizona’s rotation and has struggled in his last two outings. Henry has allowed five or more earned runs in the previous two outings. His xFIP and HR/9 are the 4th highest in today’s slate.

Cleveland and Arizona have seen a massive increase in offensive production in June.

Team Stats in June

Cleveland

Average: .279 (3rd)

BABIP: .326 (3rd)

wOBA: .321 (11th)

wRC+: 105 (11th)

K%: 18.8% (3rd)

Arizona

Average: .272 (4th)

BABIP: .321 (5th)

wOBA: .346 (4th)

wRC+: 116 (6th)

K%: 19.9% (7th)

Both lineups should be able to take advantage of their pitching matchups, as I’d expect them to score early and often before their bullpens take over.

Bet: YRFI -115

Baltimore Orioles vs. Chicago Cubs

Pitching matchup: Kyle Gibson vs. Justin Steele

During the first month and a half of the 2023 season, we saw the Cubs lineup post some of the highest advanced metrics in the MLB. Since then, they have had a complete 180° turn. A lot of that may be due to injuries, but some significant regression was expected.

Cubs Offense in March/April

ISO: .172 (9th)

BABIP: .325 (2nd)

wOBA: .346 (2nd)

wRC+: 117 (3rd)

K%: 21.4% (10th)

Cubs Offense in June

ISO: .116 (29th)

BABIP: .302 (12th)

wOBA: .303 (21st)

wRC+: 89 (21st)

K%: 24.9% (24th)

Justin Steele is one of the loan bright spots left on this Cubs team. Steele is 6-2 with a 2.65 ERA and 58 K’s. He is as good as advertised, as his advanced metrics tell the same story.

The right-hander has an xERA of 3.09 and an xFIP of .399, both better than the average MLB starter. We may only see Steele in a Cubs uniform for a few more starts before being moved at the deadline.

Baltimore’s offense takes a few innings to get warmed up, as they have only scored in the first inning four times while on the road.

Let’s get six quick outs and cash the NRFI.

Bet: NRFI -120