MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Saturday (5/31)
Saturday brings along another loaded slate of MLB games. As you enjoy the weekend baseball, let’s dive into the top No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks and predictions.
If you're unfamiliar with MLB NRFI bets, they’re pretty simple. We're betting on whether or not any runs will be scored in the first inning by either team. Both starting pitchers must pitch a scoreless first inning for the bet to cash.
Let's get to my favorite MLB NRFI picks and plays for Saturday, May 31st.
- 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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Saturday's Best MLB No Runs First Innings (NRFI) Picks
(All odds courtesy FanDuel Sportsbook)
Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals
Starting Pitchers: Tarik Skubal vs. Michael Wacha
Today’s first NRFI pick features an American League Central matchup between the Tigers and Royals. The starting pitchers in this contest immediately point to a lower-scoring game overall. Let's bank on a scoreless first inning.
Tarik Skubal is having another dominant season for Detroit. The reigning American League Cy Young winner owns a 2.49 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with an elite 1.97 FIP. Skubal is dialed in right now with a 1.86 ERA over his past nine starts, including a complete-game shutout last weekend.
Skubal's dominance usually begins in the first inning. He boasts a 9-2 NRFI record this year with a 1.84 ERA and .195 on-base percentage (OBP) allowed in the first inning. Last year, the southpaw tossed a scoreless opening frame in 24 of his 31 starts with a 2.03 ERA and .191 batting average allowed in the first inning.
The Royals’ offense, meanwhile, ranks 26th in the Majors in first-inning runs scored. Kansas City has also struggled against left-handed pitching this season with a .273 wOBA (26th in MLB) and 69 wRC+ (27th). This is an ideal matchup for Skubal to start with a scoreless first frame.
On the other side, Kansas City starter Michael Wacha is having a good season himself with a 3.21 ERA. The veteran has been dealing lately with a 2.52 ERA over his past six starts. He'll face a Tigers lineup that's struggled against right-handed pitchers over the past week (.267 wOBA, 71 wRC+, .200 batting average).
Wacha has some top-notch NRFI trends. He's tossed a scoreless first inning in all 11 starts so far this season. He also boasted a 22-7 NRFI record last year with a 2.17 ERA and .214 batting average allowed in the opening frame. That includes an 11-3 NRFI record at home last season.
Those are some strong numbers to trust. Wacha even had an 18-6 NRFI mark in the 2023 campaign. If you're keeping score at home, that's a combined 51-13 NRFI record over the past three seasons for an impressive 79% hit rate.
Pick: NRFI (-146)
San Francisco Giants at Miami Marlins
Starting Pitchers: Robbie Ray vs. Edward Cabrera
Let's now turn to the National League for our second NRFI pick. Based on multiple trends and stats, the starting pitching matchup in this Giants versus Marlins game should lead to a scoreless first inning.
Marlins starter Edward Cabrera has just a 4.73 ERA this year, but he's been more effective lately. The right-hander has a 2.53 ERA and 2.84 FIP over his last four starts. He boasts a 23:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio over this stretch as well.
Cabrera has a 5-3 NRFI record so far this season, including 4-1 at home. Last year, he tossed a scoreless first inning in 16 of his 20 starts, including eight out of 10 home starts. Cabrera also held opponents to a .136 batting average in the first inning last season.
Cabrera will face a Giants offense with some poor first-inning numbers this year. They have just a .281 wOBA (28th in MLB) and .211 batting average (28th) in the inning while ranking 23rd in runs scored. San Fran has also struggled mightily against right-handed pitching over the past week (.249 wOBA, 57 wRC+).
Meanwhile, Giants starter Robbie Ray should hold serve to help cash the NRFI. He owns an 8-3 NRFI record so far, including 4-1 in his past five starts. Ray is pitching well lately with a 1.41 ERA and 1.57 FIP over his past five outings.
Ray previously had strong first-inning numbers before dealing with injuries over the past two seasons. He had an elite 24-8 NRFI record (75%) in 2022, which was his last full season. He also posted a 23-9 NRFI mark in the 2021 campaign (72%). It appears that early-start dominance has returned for the former Cy Young winner.
The Marlins have some weak splits against left-handers over the past month with a .254 wOBA (28th in MLB), 55 wRC+ (28th) and a .186 batting average (29th). Ray can handle this lineup to continue the roll he's currently on. That should begin with a scoreless opening frame.
Pick: NRFI (-140)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Saturday: