MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Sunday (6/8)
We have a loaded MLB slate on the horizon, and if you're looking for a few quick-hitting prop bets to get in on the action, then you've come to the right place. Below I've listed my three favorite No Runs First Inning NRFI picks and predictions for today's 15-game MLB schedule.
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Sunday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Philadelphia Phillies (-105) at Pittsburgh Pirates (-115) | O/U 7.0 (-105/-115) NRFI Picks
Let's pick things up in the Steel City, where it's the Pirates (25-40) who are looking to break out the brooms against the visiting Phillies (37-27). They'll have a good chance to do so with Paul Skenes toeing the rubber. Philadelphia counters with Cristopher Sanchez in this intrastate rivalry, which gets underway at 1:35 p.m. ET from PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA.
This NRFI comes with a hefty price, but considering the circumstances, I think it's worth laying the juice. Skenes is following up his National League Rookie of the Year campaign with a top-10 pitching performance, entering with a 2.05 ERA (eighth) and a 0.88 WHIP (fourth). His 85 strikeouts are the ninth-most in the Majors. He has found success against the Phillies in the past, limiting their current roster to a 2-for-24 (.083) history.
On the other hand, the Pirates remain one of the worst offenses in baseball. They're 29th in scoring (3.17 RPG) this season, while ranking 28th in first-inning scoring, plating only 0.34 runs per first inning. They're running into Cristopher Sanchez (3.15 ERA), who has limited their roster to a .222/.300/.311 slash line over 45 at-bats. Pittsburgh is the sixth-best NRFI team (36-29, 55%) this season, so clearly they're accustomed to slow starts. Give me the NRFI.
Pick: NRFI (-175)
Chicago Cubs (+113) at Detroit Tigers (-137) | O/U 8.0 (-117/-103) NRFI Picks
The Cubs (40-24) bounced back with a 6-1 victory over the Tigers (42-24) yesterday, setting up a rubber match for Sunday's series finale. Cade Horton toes the rubber for Chicago, while Detroit counters with Jack Flaherty. First pitch is set for 1:40 p.m. ET from Comerica Park in Detroit, MI.
Both of these squads are above .500 to the NRFI prop this season. Detroit is eighth in the league at 35-31 (53%), while Chicago is 11th at 33-31 (52%). The Tigers will turn to Jack Flaherty, and he has mowed down the Cubs in the past. Their current lineup is slashing .182/.270/.439 against him over 66 at-bats.
As for Cade Horton, he's been a serviceable option for the Cubs this season, posting a 3.51 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 25.2 innings of work. In his last three starts, he owns a 2.16 ERA. Mother Nature will also have an impact on this game, as the wind will be blowing in from left field at roughly 8.9 mph at first pitch. I'll take a shot at the NRFI in Motown today.
Pick: NRFI (-120)
Atlanta Braves (-120) at San Francisco Giants (-102) | O/U 8.0 (-103/-118) NRFI Picks
The Giants (37-28) notched their fourth straight win yesterday, and they'll opt for Landen Roupp as they go for the sweep of the Braves (27-36) this afternoon. Atlanta sends Spencer Strider to the mound in this National League clash, which gets underway at 4:05 p.m. ET from Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA.
The Braves have been struggling quite a bit recently. Over the last seven days, their offense is ranked 24th in wOBA (.277), 25th in wRC+ (73), and 15th in ISO (.143). They're also striking out at a 26.6% clip over the last week, which is the seventh-highest mark. Landen Roupp has held their current lineup to a 2-for-9 (.222) performance, with both hits being singles. I like him to escape the top of the 1st flawlessly.
As for the Giants, they haven't been much better offensively over the last week. They're 26th in wOBA (.272) and their power numbers have completely fallen off, ranking 29th in ISO (.094) in the last seven days. Spencer Strider has held them to a .103/.188/.103 slash line over 29 at-bats, which includes their key hitters of Matt Chapman (0-for-3) and Wilmer Flores (1-for-8), who are a combined 1-for-11 (.091). I'll take the NRFI at the pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.
Pick: NRFI (-130)