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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Monday (5/12)

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Monday's MLB slate features 11 games to start the baseball week. There are plenty of ways to go for our top No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks and predictions today. 

If you're unfamiliar with NRFI bets, they're pretty simple. We're betting on whether or not any runs will be scored in the first inning by either team. Both starting pitchers must throw a scoreless first inning for the bet to cash. 

Let's focus on the Pirates vs. Mets and the Brewers vs. Guardians matchups. Without further ado, let's get to my favorite NRFI plays for Monday, May 12th.

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Monday's Best MLB No Runs First Innings (NRFI) Picks

(All odds courtesy FanDuel Sportsbook)

Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Mets

Starting Pitchers: Paul Skenes vs. David Peterson 

Today's first NRFI pick features an intriguing pitching matchup as David Peterson and the Mets host Paul Skenes and the Pirates. These starters should anchor a scoreless first inning with impeccable track records. Plus, we have two sub-par first-inning offenses involved.

Paul Skenes is off to a strong start for Pittsburgh this season. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year has a 2.77 ERA and 0.95 WHIP through eight outings. He's been especially dominant early on, holding opponents scoreless in the first inning of all eight starts. Skenes is also allowing just a .179 batting average in the first inning. 

This is nothing new for Skenes, who posted strong NRFI numbers last season. He had an 18-5 NRFI record with a 1.96 ERA and .220 batting average allowed in the opening frame in 2024. If you're keeping score, that's a 26-5 NRFI record for Skenes to start his MLB career thus far. Tonight, he'll face a Mets offense that ranks 25th in first-inning runs scored this season. 

Meanwhile, Mets starter David Peterson quietly has some elite first-inning numbers of his own. He has a 7-1 NRFI record through eight starts with just a .125 batting average allowed in the inning. Peterson also tossed a scoreless opening frame in 20 of his 21 starts last season with a .171 batting average allowed. 

If we want to go back even further, check out this trend: Peterson has an outstanding 38-4 NRFI record over his last 42 starts for a 90.5% hit rate. The New York left-hander has been more trustworthy in the first inning than almost any pitcher in baseball over the past two-plus seasons. 

Peterson has a favorable home matchup on Monday. The Pirates are batting just .201 in the first inning this season (28th in MLB) while ranking 26th in runs scored in the frame. They're also one of the league's worst offenses against left-handed pitching this year. 

Take the NRFI in this game. The Mets have a 26-15 NRFI record this year (second in MLB) while the Pirates are 24-17 to the NRFI (sixth). 

Pick: NRFI (-142)

Milwaukee Brewers at Cleveland Guardians

Starting Pitchers: Freddy Peralta vs. Ben Lively

Let's now turn to an Interleague matchup on Monday for our second NRFI pick. Freddy Peralta starts for Milwaukee while Ben Lively is on the bump for Cleveland. These starters can combine to cash us a scoreless first inning, especially with the offensive splits involved. 

Peralta has been excellent this year for the Brewers. He boasts a 2.18 ERA and 1.04 WHIP through eight starts while anchoring a rotation ravaged by injuries. Peralta's success usually starts in the first inning with a 6-2 NRFI record thus far. 

Last season, the Milwaukee righty posted a solid 22-10 NRFI mark (69%) with a .224 batting average allowed in the first inning. He should get the job done once again because of the matchup. Cleveland has just a .289 wOBA in the first inning (28th) with a .217 batting average (24th). 

Over the past two weeks, the Guardians have had the league's worst first-inning offense. Their .192 wOBA and .098 batting average rank dead last in this stretch. They've also scored only two runs in their last 14 first innings. It sets up very well for Peralta to hold the Guardians scoreless to begin today's game. 

As for Lively, his first-inning numbers may surprise you - in a good way. The Cleveland righty has tossed a scoreless opening frame in seven of his eight starts so far this season. Last year, Lively had an excellent 25-4 NRFI record (86%) with a 1.24 ERA and .193 batting average allowed in the first inning. 

The Brewers have a league-average offense in the first inning this season. Their recent road splits, though, are worrisome. Over the past two weeks on the road, Milwaukee has a .280 wOBA (24th in MLB) and a .210 batting average (27th). Considering Lively's first-inning track record, he should hold serve with Peralta. 

Pick: NRFI (-128)

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