Navigate

MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Monday (6/9)

by |

Monday's MLB slate features nine games. There are plenty of ways to go for our top No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks and predictions. We’ll focus on two matchups.

If you're unfamiliar with NRFI picks, 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. 

Without further ado, let's get to my favorite MLB NRFI picks for Monday, June 9th.

Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>

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

(All odds courtesy FanDuel Sportsbook)

Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox 

Starting Pitchers: Shane Baz vs. Brayan Bello

Today's first NRFI pick features an American League East matchup between the Rays and Red Sox. At first glance, this game's starting pitchers don't give us confidence. However, both can combine for a scoreless opening frame based on key trends and stats. 

Rays starter Shane Baz has struggled to a 4.96 ERA and 1.36 WHIP through 12 starts this season. He's had multiple shaky outings over the past month, too. Yet, Baz has been dominant in the first inning this year. That's all that matters for our NRFI bet. 

Baz owns an elite 11-1 NRFI record this season with a 1.50 ERA and 0.67 WHIP in the first inning. He's also allowed just a .146 batting average and .205 on-base percentage (OBP) in the opening frame. Plus, the Rays righty boasts a career 28-7 NRFI record (80%) thus far. That includes a scoreless first frame in 19 of his last 20 starts going back to last year. 

The Red Sox present a favorable matchup for Baz today. They've struggled against right-handed pitching over the past week with a .270 wOBA (26th), 66 wRC+ (28th), 27.6% strikeout rate (29th) and .215 batting average (26th). Boston has also been held scoreless in the first inning in 12 of the last 14 games. 

Meanwhile, Red Sox starter Brayan Bello has just a 3.91 ERA and 1.59 WHIP this year. Despite those subpar numbers, Bello has a more trustworthy track record in the first inning. Again, that's all we care about. 

Bello owns a career 56-22 NRFI record (71.8%). That includes a decent 6-3 NRFI mark so far this season. Last year, though, Bello tossed a scoreless first inning in 21 of his 30 starts (70%). He also posted a 21-7 NRFI record in 2023 (75%). 

The Rays have failed to score a first-inning run in six of their last eight games entering today's contest. They're also batting just .192 with a .266 wOBA in the opening frame over the past week. Plus, Tampa has the worst first-inning road offense this year with a .211 wOBA and .133 batting average. 

Pick: NRFI (-113)

Toronto Blue Jays at St. Louis Cardinals

Starting Pitchers: Jose Berrios vs. Andre Pallante 

Let's now turn our attention to an Interleague matchup between the Blue Jays and Cardinals. Both starting pitchers in this game boast encouraging first-inning numbers to combine for the NRFI. 

Cardinals starter Andre Pallante has tossed a scoreless first inning in 11 of his 13 starts this season (84.6%). He also has a 2.08 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in his opening frames. The right-hander is holding opposing hitters to a .209 batting average in the inning as well. 

Pallante posted an impressive 15-5 NRFI record last season (75%). That gives him a combined 26-7 NRFI mark over the past two seasons combined. He's also thrown a scoreless first inning in 12 of his last 16 home starts. 

The Blue Jays rank 27th in the Majors in road first-inning runs scored this season. The offense is also below-average on the road overall this year with a .290 wOBA (25th in MLB) and 85 wRC+ (24th). Plus, Toronto has been held scoreless in the opening frame in 10 of the last 12 games entering today. 

On the other side, Jose Berrios starts for the Blue Jays. He has a decent 9-4 NRFI record so far this season (69%), but some positive regression should be coming in that area. Berrios posted a 25-7 NRFI mark last year (78.1%) and a 26-6 NRFI record two seasons ago (81.3%). He's also thrown a scoreless first inning in 75.4% of his career starts (193-63). 

The Toronto right-hander has a 3.67 ERA, but he's been much more effective lately. Berrios boasts a 2.25 ERA over his last four starts and a 2.85 ERA over his past eight outings. He also owns a 3.07 ERA on the road this season compared to a 4.05 ERA at home. 

The Cardinals have struggled to score runs in the opening frame all year. They rank 29th in first-inning runs scored with just a .290 wOBA (28th). St. Louis has also been held scoreless in the first inning in eight of the last 10 games. 

Pick: NRFI (-115)

Try Premium for FREE in our mobile app

BettingPros App