MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Monday (9/15)
Monday’s MLB slate features nine games. We have plenty of 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, September 15th.
- 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)
New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins
Starting Pitchers: Carlos Rodon vs. Simeon Woods Richardson
Today's first NRFI pick features the Twins hosting the Yankees. The starting pitching matchup in this one should lead to a scoreless first inning based on some key trends on both sides. Let's break it down.
Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson is having an up-and-down season with a 4.58 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 20 outings. He's tough to trust overall right now, but all we care about is the first inning. In that department, the right-hander has been better than you'd think.
Woods Richardson has tossed a scoreless first inning in 16 of his 19 starts this season (84%). That also includes a 9-1 NRFI mark at home. The Minnesota righty also owns a 1.42 ERA and .203 batting average allowed in the opening frame this year. Plus, he posted a 23-5 NRFI record last season (82%), which tells us his 2025 first-inning success isn't a fluke.
Meanwhile, Yankees starter Carlos Rodon has been pitching very well lately. The southpaw boasts a 2.38 ERA over his past seven starts, with two or fewer runs allowed in each outing. Rodon also owns a 3.11 ERA and 1.07 WHIP overall this season.
When it comes to the first inning, he's been strong in that area as well. Rodon has a 24-6 NRFI record this season, with a .191 batting average allowed in the first. He's also tossed a scoreless opening frame in 13 out of 16 road starts this year.
Pick: NRFI (-115)
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros
Starting Pitchers: Jack Leiter vs. Jason Alexander
Let's now turn our attention to an American League West matchup between the Rangers and Astros. We have Jack Leiter on the mound for Texas, while Jason Alexander starts for Houston. Both pitchers bring upside to the NRFI play tonight.
Leiter has been pitching well recently. He boasts a 2.94 ERA over 10 starts since the All-Star break. That includes a 2.66 ERA and 1.58 FIP over his past four outings. Count on another good start today, beginning with a scoreless first frame.
The Rangers right-hander owns an impressive 20-6 NRFI record this season (77%). That includes a 7-2 NRFI record over his past nine starts coming in. Leiter also boasts a 2.77 ERA and .206 batting average allowed in the first inning. Today, he'll face a Houston offense hitting a league-worst .100 in the frame during September.
On the other side, Alexander can also hold serve in the first inning. The Astros starter has a 4.19 ERA overall this season, but he's been much better lately. He boasts a 2.20 ERA over his past seven starts. Alexander also owns a 2.82 ERA in 11 outings since joining Houston in June.
In Alexander's 10 starts with the Astros, he's thrown a scoreless first inning in every game. The right-hander is also allowing just a .143 batting average and a .211 on-base percentage (OBP) in the frame. Plus, Alexander has a career 18-3 NRFI record as a starter now. He'll take on a Rangers lineup batting just .195 with a 33.3% strikeout rate in the first inning during September.
Pick: NRFI (-115)