MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Friday (4/17)
Welcome to another beautiful day. Baseball is back, and the sun is starting to shine down again. Let's make some MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks. NRFI is 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.
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 done your research. 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.
It was a winning week last time out, and I plan to build on that bankroll today. Let's dive into some games for today’s slate.
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Friday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
Last Time: 2-1 | Season: 4-4 | 2025 Season: 30-25
Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees
Starting Pitchers: Michael Wacha vs. Cam Schlittler
Starting in the Bronx, it's no surprise this New York offense ranks fourth-highest in yes runs first inning (YRFI) rate. With Aaron Judge always lurking to start the game with a long ball, the Yankees’ YRFI-NRFI record is 12-7. But Michael Wacha gets the nod for Kansas City, and he has been electric to start the year, allowing one earned run across 21 innings.
That will obviously regress, but looking at 2025, Wacha’s first-inning ERA was still 1.74, allowing six runs in 31 starts. Judge is the biggest threat, but he's gone 3-for-21 against the Royals starters in his career, and they're all singles.
Cam Schlittler counters for the Yankees, and he's been stellar as well, allowing six runs in 21.2 innings, good for a 2.49 ERA this season. I'm also much less worried about Kansas City's ability to produce runs early, as their NRFI-YRFI record is 14-5. The Yankees are always a scary team to bet against scoring in the opening frame, so you're getting pretty solid odds here for the NRFI.
Play: NRFI (-113 at BetRivers)
Chicago White Sox vs. Athletics
Starting Pitchers: Davis Martin vs. Aaron Civale
Davis Martin starts for Chicago, and he's spun a 2.50 ERA in his three starts, with zero runs allowed in the first inning. Last year, he had pretty solid stats to open games, and the Athletics aren't actually a dangerous team offensively with its expected lineup recording a .500 OPS against Martin in 26 career at-bats.
Aaron Civale has been equally elite, and he matches up well against the White Sox. Neither offense is dangerous, with both squads tied for 12th in NRFI rate this season. I'm fading scoring here, with some incredible odds, too.
Play: NRFI (+100 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies
Starting Pitchers: Tyler Glasnow vs. Tomoyuki Sugano
We can't completely fade first-inning runs today. It's well documented how much of a park factor Coors Field has for making it the most batter-friendly park in the league.
Tyler Glasnow has been on and off the injured list (IL) over the last handful of years, and he's lost his stuff a bit. Gone are the days of his 1.35 ERA from 2022. He's allowed eight runs over 18 innings to start the 2026 campaign.
Tomoyuki Sugano has started the season well for Colorado, I'll give him that, but he’s coming off a season in which he had a 4.64 ERA. Pitching at home will always give him worse splits. It also doesn't help that Shohei Ohtani has gone 2-for-2 with two home runs against Sugano in his career, and Kyle Tucker has favorable splits against righties.
Play: YRFI (-115 at DraftKings Sportsbook)