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. It's a popular betting market where gamblers wager on whether the first inning will end with zero runs scored by either team. Pretty simple.
These types of 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.
We hit a nice plus-money yes runs first inning (YRFI) bet last week, but ended the day down. I plan on building a bankroll and bouncing back today. Let's dive into some games on this April 3rd slate.
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Friday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook | Last Time: 1-2 | Season: 1-2 | 2025 Season: 30-25
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago White Sox
Starting Pitchers: Dylan Cease vs. Grant Taylor
After having to postpone their home opener, the Chicago White Sox are back in action as they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday afternoon. You may see Sean Burke as the listed starter, but Grant Taylor is scheduled to open for Chicago before Burke takes over.
Dylan Cease returns to face his former team, and what gets the juices going more than that? Last year, Cease's ERA jumped from 3.61 at home to 5.58 on the road. He also held a 4.78 first-inning ERA. Taylor, meanwhile, has only made two career starts, and he's allowed two runs in such efforts.
In his career, Taylor has allowed a .357/.457/.357 slashline to batter in the first inning, so opponents are known to jump on him. The top of the Blue Jays’ lineup is dangerous, and the White Sox are tied for fourth in first-inning runs so far early in the season. At plus odds, I'm in on seeing some early fireworks here.
Play: YRFI (+125)
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Kansas City Royals
Starting Pitchers: Chad Patrick vs. Luinder Avila
Next up, we have an Interleague duel, as Milwaukee travels across the Midwest to take on the Kansas City Royals. Royals rookie Luinder Avila will make his first career start (and appearance). There isn't much data on Avila, but what exists is promising.
Avila has limited opposing batters to go 4-for-40 at the plate in the first inning in the minors. There isn't much scouting available for Avila, and no one in the Milwaukee starting lineup has seen him before.
Chad Patrick counters for Milwaukee, and he's been elite across his short career to open games. In the opening frame across 24 starts, Patrick owns a 1.88 ERA with 26 strikeouts. Kansas City has yet to record a first-inning run this season, and I expect that trend to continue. I'm shocked at these odds, so jump on them now before they move.
Play: NRFI (-115)
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies
Starting Pitchers: Aaron Nola vs. Michael Lorenzen
Let's get a little weird, shall we? Colorado celebrates their home opener today. Runs are made to be scored at Coors Field. The YRFI odds are around -130, and if you can find a -120 or -115, I'm happy to eat the juice, but right now they’re a little too steep.
Instead, I'm suggesting something a little special. Michael Lorenzen gets the nod for the Rockies. He was awesome in the opening frame last season, recording a 1.73 ERA in 26 starts, and limiting opponents to a .194 average and .584 OPS. Kyle Schwarber has seen a good amount of him, but otherwise, the top of the lineup isn't too familiar with Lorenzen's game.
Aaron Nola starts for Philadelphia. After a rocky (pun intended) start where he allowed two home runs and three earned runs in five innings, I'm fading him. His road ERA last season sat at 6.97, with a first-inning ERA of 7.94. The Rockies’ lineup hasn't exactly been electric, but Jake McCarthy at the top of the order is 6-for-13 with five extra-base hits against Nola in his career.
There's a lot to like for Colorado coming out of the gate strong, so I'm in on their first inning Moneyline, instead of just betting the YRFI.
Play: First-Inning Rockies Moneyline (+370)
