MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Monday (9/22)
The final week of the MLB regular season gets underway on Monday with just three games on the slate. Even so, we have top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks and predictions ready to go.
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 22.
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet – Team View
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet – Matchup View
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- MLB Consensus Odds
Monday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(All odds courtesy DraftKings Sportsbook)
Milwaukee Brewers at San Diego Padres
Starting Pitchers: Freddy Peralta vs. Nick Pivetta
Today's first NRFI pick features the Padres hosting the Brewers. Both teams are still fighting for playoff positioning ahead of Monday's matchup. Milwaukee is close to locking up the No. 1 seed in the National League, while San Diego is pushing the Dodgers for the NL West title. Let's get some action on the first inning here.
Freddy Peralta is having the best season of his career for Milwaukee, with a 2.65 ERA. He's been dealing lately, posting a 1.38 ERA over his past seven starts. The dominance has also resulted in strong first-inning numbers this year.
Peralta owns a 27-4 NRFI record (87%), with a 1.74 ERA and .180 batting average allowed in the first inning. Even on the road, he's tossed a scoreless opening frame in 12-of-15 starts (80%). That includes a 9-1 NRFI record over his past 10 road outings. It also helps that Peralta tossed six shutout innings against the Padres back in June.
Meanwhile, San Diego starter Nick Pivetta can keep the Brewers quiet early on as well. The right-hander is also having a career year with a 2.81 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. He's pitching well lately, with a 2.40 ERA over his past seven starts. Pivetta also owns a 2.22 ERA and 2.84 FIP at home this year.
Pivetta's excellent season also includes some good first-inning numbers. He has a 22-8 NRFI record this year (73%) with a 2.70 ERA and .219 batting average allowed in the opening frame. Pivetta also boasts a 75% NRFI rate over the past three seasons combined.
Pick: NRFI (-140)
St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco Giants
Starting Pitchers: Michael McGreevy vs. Justin Verlander
Let's now focus on the Cardinals vs. Giants matchup on Monday night. We have Michael McGreevy on the mound for St. Louis, while the veteran Justin Verlander starts for San Francisco. It's definitely risky, but the NRFI has some value here.
Verlander will anchor our NRFI play. Even in his old age, the Giants' right-hander has been elite in the first inning this year. He's posted a 22-5 NRFI record (82%) with a 1.33 ERA and .189 batting average allowed in the opening frame. Verlander additionally boasts a 12-1 NRFI mark over his past 13 starts.
We also have Verlander pitching well lately. He owns a 0.87 ERA over his past five starts, and even a 2.17 ERA over his past 11 outings now. He'll face a St. Louis offense that's batting just .217 in the first frame this month.
McGreevy, on the other side, is the bigger wild card here. The Cardinals' starter has just a 4.08 ERA this season. Plus, the righty's 9-5 NRFI record and 4.50 first-inning ERA are hard to ignore.
On the bright side, McGreevy will take on a San Fran lineup that has a .141 batting average and .226 wOBA against right-handed pitching over the past week. Plus, his 2.50 ERA on the road and 4-2 NRFI road record are encouraging.
Pick: NRFI (-125)