MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (8/4)
If you're looking for some quick-hitting MLB prop bets, you've come to the right place. Below I've listed my three favorite No Runs First Inning (NRFI) wagers for today's jam-packed slate on the diamond.
- 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)
Arizona Diamondbacks (+130) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (-155) | O/U 8.0 (-102/-118)
We have a high-stakes National League rubber match this afternoon as the Diamondbacks square off against the Pirates. Ryne Nelson gets the nod for Arizona, while Pittsburgh will opt for Paul Skenes. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET from PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA.
Skenes continues to put together a dynamic rookie season, entering Sunday's game at 6-1 with a 1.90 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. He's turned in eight consecutive quality starts, conceding one or fewer runs in six of those games. Skenes will have a tall task against a red-hot Diamondbacks offense, but the right-hander has shown no signs of slowing down. I think he'll at least keep a clean first inning.
As for Nelson (4.53 ERA), he's coming off of a dominant 7.0-inning scoreless outing against the Nationals in his most recent start. The right-hander made six starts in July, logging a 2.41 ERA. He'll take on a Pittsburgh offense that's just 25th in wRC+ (85) and 26th in wOBA (.290) over the last 14 days. Also, the Pirates are the league's best NRFI team, cashing the bet in 73 of their 110 games (66.4%) this year.
Bet: NRFI (-125)
Philadelphia Phillies (-130) vs. Seattle Mariners (+110) | O/U 7.0 (-112/-108)
Something is seriously wrong with the Phillies right now, as they've dropped their last six games! They'll try to get back in the win column tonight when they send Zack Wheeler to the bump. The Mariners counter with Logan Gilbert as they attempt to break out the brooms. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Park in Seattle, WA.
Wheeler vs. Gilbert, what more do I need to say? We're playing the NRFI in this one. Gilbert is putting together a monster season, coming into this contest at 6-7 with a 3.11 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. His 136 strikeouts are the 17th-most in the Majors. The right-hander has found success against Philadelphia in the past, limiting their current roster to a slash line of .212/.241/.288 over 51 at-bats. That includes Kyle Schwarber (1-for-9), Trea Turner (0-for-3), and Bryce Harper (0-for-1), who are a combined 1-for-13 (.077) against Gilbert.
Wheeler has been equally as effective this season, sitting at 10-5 with a 2.94 ERA (9th) and a 1.02 WHIP (11th). Seattle's current roster is slashing just .197/.250/.268 against the right-hander over 71 at-bats. The Mariners are 65-45 (59.1%) to the NRFI this year, including cashing the prop at a highly-profitable rate of 40-16 (71.4%) at home.
Bet: NRFI (-155)
St. Louis Cardinals (+124) vs. Chicago Cubs (-148) | O/U 8.5 (+124/-148)
The night wraps up in the Windy City as the Cardinals and Cubs square off on Sunday Night Baseball. Miles Mikolas will handle the starting pitching responsibilities for the Red Birds, while the Cubs ride with Justin Steele. First pitch is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET from Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL.
Steele's putting together a respectable season for Chicago, coming into this game at 2-5 with a 3.38 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. The southpaw has held St. Louis' current roster to a slash line of .239/.289/.338 over 71 at-bats. The Cardinals have been consistently hitting the NRFI over the last month, going 16-8 (66.7%) to the prop bet. Their offense has been a bottom-half unit during the last two weeks, ranking 17th in wRC+ (101) and 21st in wOBA (.309).
Speaking of underwhelming offenses, the Cubs fit into that category. They're 24th in wRC+ (87) and 25th in wOBA (.290) over the last 14 days. Chicago's the fourth-best NRFI team this year, coming in at 70-43 (61.9%) overall and 35-20 (63.6%) at home. They'll take on Miles Mikolas, who hasn't been too sharp this year, bringing in a 4.99 ERA (65th) and 1.23 WHIP (44th). It could be a sweaty bottom of the 1st, but the Cubs' offense isn't very threatening, so I think Mikolas will take care of business in the primetime slot.
Bet: NRFI (-130)