MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (6/15)
With the NHL and NBA Finals having the night off, the MLB and its 15-game schedule take centerstage on Sunday. I'm heading to the prop sheet to get some skin in the game, and below you'll find my three favorite No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets for Sunday. Here's who I expect to keep a clean slate in the 1st inning today.
- 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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Sunday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Toronto Blue Jays (+148) at Philadelphia Phillies (-181) | O/U 7.5 (-106/-114)
The Phillies (41-29) won both of the opening games against the Blue Jays (38-32) this series, and they'll have a good chance to complete the sweep with Zack Wheeler toeing the rubber. Toronto counters with Jose Berrios in this interleague clash, which gets underway at 1:35 p.m. ET from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA.
The NRFI is always going to be in play when Zack Wheeler heads to the bump. The right-hander has been excellent this year, going 6-2 with a 2.85 ERA (18th) and a 0.90 WHIP (fourth). His 101 strikeouts are the eighth-most in the Majors. In 56 head-to-head at-bats against the Blue Jays, Wheeler has held their roster to a slash line of .214/.228/.357.
On the other hand, Jose Berrios has also been serviceable for Toronto this season, entering this game with a 3.38 ERA (33rd) and a 1.25 WHIP (46th). The right-hander has fared well against Philadelphia's top-of-the-order hitters, holding Trea Turner (1-for-6), Kyle Schwarber (1-for-10), and Alec Bohm (0-for-3) to a combined 2-for-19 (.105). The NRFI is 2-0 in this series, and that's a trend that I expect to continue this afternoon in Philly.
Pick: NRFI (-140)
Miami Marlins (+156) at Washington Nationals (-192) | O/U 7.5 (-113/-107)
The Nationals (30-40) are in the midst of a seven-game slide, and they'll turn to MacKenzie Gore to try and get back into the win column. The visiting Marlins (27-41) opt for Eury Perez in this divisional finale, which is set for 1:35 p.m. ET from Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
MacKenzie Gore is developing into a true top-of-the-rotation starter in the MLB. The southpaw brings in a 2.88 ERA (20th) and a 1.12 WHIP (23rd), while ranking second in punchouts (114) this year. The left-hander takes on a Miami offense that's 19th in wOBA (.306) and 23rd in ISO (.120) over the last seven days. Gore has held them to a slash line of .200/.265/.244 in 45 head-to-head at-bats.
As for the Nationals, their offense has severely dropped off recently. During their current 1-8 stretch of play, they're scoring only 2.7 runs per game. Statistically, the Curly W's are 24th in wOBA (.290) and 27th in ISO (.104) over the last week. Eury Perez (12.00 ERA) wasn't great in his season debut against the Pirates (3.0 IP, 4 ER), but he should settle in nicely against this downward-trending Nationals offense. He's limited them to a 2-for-21 (.095) performance in the past.
Pick: NRFI (-130)
San Diego Padres (+109) at Arizona Diamondbacks (-133) | O/U 8.5 (-115/-105)
Let's wrap things up in The Valley of the Sun, where the Diamondbacks (36-34), who have won five straight, will try to complete the sweep against the Padres (38-31). Nick Pivetta gets the nod for the Friars, while the Snakes counter with Merrill Kelly. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET from Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ.
Perhaps I'm crazy, but I'm going to take a flier on the NRFI in this National League West matchup that's loaded with star power. Merrill Kelly has been Arizona's ace this year, entering the game with a 3.18 ERA (27th) and a 0.99 WHIP (11th). He'll face a San Diego offense that has been struggling, ranking 25th in wOBA (.287) and 29th in ISO (.099) over the last seven days.
As for Nick Pivetta (3.48 ERA), he'll take on a Diamondbacks offense that's one of the best in baseball. However, he has held their key hitters of Corbin Carroll (0-for-1), Ketel Marte (1-for-3), Geraldo Perdomo (0-for-1), and Josh Naylor (1-for-7) to a combined 2-for-12 (.167) - with both hits being singles. The Padres are a profitable 37-32 (54%) to the NRFI this season. Once you get past the surface level scare of the superstar hitters in this game, it appears that there's decent value with the NRFI here at -105.
Pick: NRFI (-105)