MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Sunday (5/18)
The MLB's Rivalry Weekend continues on Sunday, and if you're looking for some quick-hitting bets for today's action, then you've come to the right place. Below I've listed my top three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) wagers for today's 15-game slate in the MLB.
Sunday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning Picks
(Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Houston Astros (-135) at Texas Rangers (+114) | O/U 8.0 (-120/+100)
Today's MLB action opens up in the Lone Star State, with the Astros (23-22) and Rangers (25-22) wrapping up their four-game set. Houston will try to salvage a series split when they turn to Framber Valdez. Texas opts for Jack Leiter in this divisional clash, which gets underway at 1:05 p.m. ET from Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.
This game features a pair of top-10 NRFI teams, as the Astros are third at 28-17 (62%), while the Rangers are ninth at 26-21 (55%). Jack Leiter should manage to keep a clean top of the 1st, since he's coming off of a 6.0-inning performance against the Rockies where he held them to just one earned run in a winning effort. He'll take on an Astros offense that's just 20th in wRC+ (96) and 21st in wOBA (.303) over the last seven days.
As for Framber Valdez, he has been in top-tier form recently, posting a 1.20 ERA in his last two starts (15.0 IP). The southpaw has carved up the Rangers in the past, limiting their current roster to a slash line of .199/.263/.342 over 161 at-bats. That includes their notable top-of-the-order hitters in Josh Smith (0-for-5), Wyatt Langford (0-for-3) and Josh Jung (2-for-12), who are a combined 2-for-20 (.100) against him. Give me the NRFI in the Silver Boot Series finale.
Pick: NRFI (-120)
Chicago White Sox (+245) at Chicago Cubs (-305) | O/U 8.0 (-108/-112)
The Cubs (27-19) are on the verge of a Crosstown Classic sweep, and they'll send Colin Rea to the bump finish the job against the lowly White Sox (14-32). The Southsiders counter with Jonathan Cannon in this rivalry matchup, which is set for 2:20 p.m. ET from Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL.
Colin Rea's primed for a big outing today against the White Sox. The right-hander has held their current lineup to a slash line of .136/.240/.182 across 22 head-to-head at-bats in the past. Rea has sneakily been an excellent starting pitching option for the Northsiders, bringing in a 2.48 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP in nine appearances (36.1 IP). Plus, the Sox are horrendous offensively, averaging only 3.37 runs per game (28th).
In the bottom-half of the frame, Jonathan Cannon (3.60 ERA) will look to bring home our NRFI bet. He's been spectacular recently, registering four straight quality starts, which included a 6.0-inning scoreless effort against the Reds last time out. We have no head-to-head data, but we do know that the wind will be blowing in from dead center at about 8.5 miles per hour (MPH) at first pitch, which is always worth noting at Wrigley Field. The Cubs have also been a NRFI machine this season, ranking fifth in the MLB to the prop bet at 28-18 (61%).
Pick: NRFI (-135)
New York Mets (+145) at New York Yankees (-175) | O/U 8.5 (-112/-108)
All roads lead to a Sunday Night Baseball clash in the Subway Series, as the Mets (29-17) and Yankees (26-19) square off in a rubber match. David Peterson gets the nod for the Mets, while the Pinstripes send Max Fried to the hill. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY.
Speaking of NRFI machines, the Mets are the second-best NRFI club in 2025, going 30-16 (65%) to the prop. Only the Royals (33-14, 70%) are better. The Mets are running into Max Fried, who has been money this season with a 1.11 ERA (first) and a 0.94 WHIP (seventh). What else do we need to say about taking our chances with the red-hot Yankee hurler?
As for David Peterson, he's been solid this year, bringing in a 3.05 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. The left-hander has been great against the Yankees' top-of-the-lineup hitters, holding Aaron Judge (0-for-1) and Cody Bellinger (0-for-4) to a combined 0-for-5 (.000) in his career. He has logged two straight quality starts to go along with a 2.65 ERA in his last three outings (17.0 IP). I'll play the NRFI with "coin flip odds" in the Bronx tonight.
Pick: NRFI (-110)