Monday's MLB slate features 15 games. We have many ways to go for our top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks and predictions.
If you're unfamiliar with MLB 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, July 28th.
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Team View
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Matchup View
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- MLB Consensus Odds
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Monday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(All odds courtesy DraftKings Sportsbook)
Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers
Starting Pitchers: Matthew Boyd vs. Jacob Misiorowski
The Cubs and Brewers enter today's game tied atop the National League Central with the National League's best record. Their matchups this week will surely be entertaining ones, so let's get some action on Monday's series opener. Both starting pitchers put the NRFI firmly in play here.
Matthew Boyd continues to have an excellent season for Chicago. The veteran owns a 2.20 ERA and 1.01 WHIP through 20 starts. He's currently riding a scoreless innings streak of 23 frames and boasts a 1.14 ERA over his past 10 outings. He's also allowed only two total runs over his past five starts combined.
Boyd's success usually starts with the first inning. He has a 15-5 NRFI record (75%) this season with a 28.4% strikeout rate in the opening frame. This is nothing new for the left-hander. Boyd posted a 7-1 NRFI record last year and a 12-3 NRFI mark in 2023. That's a combined 79% NRFI rate over the past three seasons.
Since the All-Star break, the Brewers have yet to score a first-inning run. They also have a weak .126 wOBA (30th) with a 39.3% strikeout rate in the frame during this stretch. In July, Milwaukee is batting only .192 in the first inning. It's a good matchup for Boyd to get going early.
Meanwhile, rookie Jacob Misiorowski starts for the Brew Crew. The electric right-hander has a 2.45 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over six starts. His 100 miles per hour (MPH) fastball and nasty slider make it tough on any opposing hitter, but especially in the first at-bat.
On that note, Misiorowski has a 5-1 NRFI record so far this season. He's allowing just a 0.53 batting average in the first inning with a whopping 52.4% strikeout rate in the frame as well. The Cubs have yet to face Misiorowski this year, so it will likely take a few innings to get used to his stuff.
Pick: NRFI (-135)
Seattle Mariners at Athletics
Starting Pitchers: Luis Castillo vs. JP Sears
Let's now turn our attention to a late-night matchup between two American League West squads. Luis Castillo and the Mariners take on JP Sears and the Athletics. This pair of starting pitchers brings in excellent first-inning numbers to trust.
Castillo has a solid 3.30 ERA this season for Seattle. He's been up and down, but still has a 2.12 ERA and 1.74 FIP over his past five starts. More importantly, the right-hander has tossed a scoreless first inning in 20 of his 21 starts this year. He boasts a 0.86 ERA and a .200 batting average allowed in the opening frame as well.
This is nothing new for Castillo. The veteran has a career 75% NRFI rate. Over the past four seasons combined, he's thrown a scoreless first inning in 77% of his starts. Bank on Castillo doing his thing early against an Athletics lineup batting just .206 with a 29.7% strikeout rate in the first frame since the All-Star break.
On the other side, Sears has a shaky 4.98 ERA this year for the A's. That doesn't exactly scream NRFI, but check out these trends. The southpaw has thrown a scoreless first inning in 20 of his 21 starts so far. He also boasts a 0.81 WHIP and a .155 batting average allowed in his opening frames.
In his career, Sears owns a 76% NRFI rate as a starter. He may run into trouble later in the game, but all we care about is that first inning. The Athletics lefty will face a Seattle offense that has a weak .156 batting average and .190 wOBA in the first frame since the All-Star break.
Pick: NRFI (+115)
