MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Sunday (7/13)
The first half of the MLB season concludes on Sunday, and if you're looking for some quick-hitting bets, then you've come to the right place. Below, I've listed my three favorite No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets for today's action. Let's close out the first half with some winners!
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Sunday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
New York Mets (-127) at Kansas City Royals (+105) | O/U 8.5 (-119/-102)
The Mets (55-41) are looking to break out the brooms on the Royals (46-50) this afternoon, and they'll turn to Clay Holmes to try and guide them to a sweep. Kansas City counters with Noah Cameron in this interleague clash, which gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO.
These have been two of the best NRFI teams in the league this season. Kansas City ranks first in the Majors at 61-35 (64%), and they're riding a four-game NRFI streak. New York is third in the MLB at 58-38 (60%). Noah Cameron (2.56 ERA) continues to be a solid option for the Royals, as he has posted a 1.54 ERA over his last two starts (11.2 IP). The left-hander will take on a Mets offense that's an underwhelming 23rd in wOBA (.285) over the last seven days, so I expect a solid outing from him.
As for Clay Holmes, he has been serviceable with a 3.29 ERA (25th) this season. The right-hander draws a matchup against a Royals offense that's 29th in scoring this season (3.39 RPG). Kansas City's top hitters of Jonathan India (1-for-3), Bobby Witt Jr. (0-for-6), and Vinnie Pasquantino (0-for-3) are a combined 1-for-12 (.083) against Holmes throughout their careers. Give me the NRFI.
Pick: NRFI (-125)
Texas Rangers (+113) at Houston Astros (-137) | O/U 7.0 (-110/-110)
The Astros (56-39) bounced back with a 5-4 victory over the Rangers (47-49) last night, forcing a rubber match today in their in-state rivalry series. Nathan Eovaldi heads to the bump for Texas, while Houston counters with Hunter Brown. First pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET from Daikin Park in Houston, TX.
This NRFI comes with a hefty price tag, but I still think it's worth laying the juice considering we have two of the best pitchers in the MLB going toe-to-toe. Hunter Brown has been lights out this season, going 9-3 with a 2.21 ERA (second) and a 0.94 WHIP (seventh). At home, the right-hander's ERA dips to 1.95, and his opponents are hitting just .160 against him.
As for Nathan Eovaldi, he has missed time this season with a triceps injury, so he doesn't qualify for the innings minimum for rankings. However, if he did, his 1.62 ERA would be first in the MLB and his 0.85 WHIP would be second (Skubal, 0.83). Both of these teams are top-10 squads to the NRFI this season. Houston is sixth at 54-41 (57%), while Texas is eighth at 54-42 (56%). Runs should be at a premium in this game, so I'll take the NRFI.
Pick: NRFI (-170)
Philadelphia Phillies (-132) vs. San Diego Padres (+109) | O/U 7.5 (-113/-108)
The MLB action wraps up out West with a heavyweight matchup in the National League between the Phillies (54-41) and the Padres (52-43). Cristopher Sanchez heads to the bump for Philadelphia, while San Diego opts for Nick Pivetta. First pitch is slated for 4:10 p.m. ET from Petco Park in San Diego, CA.
Nick Pivetta just faced the Phillies out East on July 2, and he limited them to one earned run over 6.0 innings. Over his last three starts (18.2 IP), the right-hander boasts a 0.48 ERA. Philadelphia's big guns of Trea Turner (5-for-21), Kyle Schwarber (1-for-8), and Bryce Harper (5-for-16) are a combined 11-for-45 (.244) against him.
Meanwhile, Cristopher Sanchez, an obvious All-Star Game snub, has been on a tear this season. He's 7-2 with a 2.59 ERA (10th) and a 1.13 WHIP (24th). His 116 strikeouts are the 16th-most in the Majors. He also pitched in the head-to-head series earlier this month, holding the Padres to one earned run over 7.0 innings. Sanchez is riding a seven-start quality start streak, where he owns a 1.69 ERA across the 48.0-inning sample size. Both hurlers are primed for success in this one. Give me the NRFI.
Pick: NRFI (-130)