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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Saturday (6/7)

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Saturday brings along another loaded slate of MLB games. As you enjoy the weekend baseball, let's dive into the top MLB 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, June 7th. 

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Saturday’s Best MLB No Runs First Innings (NRFI) Picks

(All odds courtesy FanDuel Sportsbook)

Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis Cardinals

Starting Pitchers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Erick Fedde

Today's first NRFI pick features a National League showdown between the Dodgers and Cardinals. One of the league's best pitchers is on the mound in this game as Yoshinobu Yamamoto toes the rubber for Los Angeles. Can he and Erick Fedde combine for a scoreless opening frame? 

Yamamoto is having a Cy Young-caliber season. He owns a 2.39 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with a 28.8% strikeout rate and 2.83 xERA. The right-hander will be looking to bounce back today after having his worst start of the year against the Yankees. 

The Dodgers right-hander usually starts dominating in the first inning. Yamamoto owns a 9-3 NRFI record so far with a 1.50 ERA and .143 batting average allowed in the opening frame. This continues a trend from last year when he tossed a scoreless first inning in 13 of his 18 starts. 

Yamamoto also brings in some strong road numbers. He has a 2.06 ERA and 2.62 FIP on the road this year compared to a 2.76 ERA and 3.44 FIP at home. He boasts a 5-1 NRFI record on the road as well. 

The Cardinals, meanwhile, are one of the worst first-inning offenses in the league. They rank 28th in total runs scored, wOBA and wRC+ in the first inning this season. St. Louis also has weak numbers against right-handed pitchers over the past week (.226 batting average, .276 wOBA, 75 wRC+). 

Meanwhile, Cardinals starter Fedde, facing the potent top of the Dodgers' lineup, is the bigger wild card here. Fedde has just a 7-5 NRFI record so far, but some positive regression could be coming in that area. Last year, the righty posted a 25-6 NRFI mark with a 1.76 ERA and .229 batting average allowed in the first inning. 

Full disclosure: Fading the Dodgers in the opening frame is as risky as it gets. They've scored the most first-inning runs this season and have a 27-37 NRFI record (second-worst in MLB). There's a silver lining, though. The Dodgers rank just 14th in road first-inning runs this year with an even 15-15 NRFI record on the road. 

Let's hope Fedde can survive the first inning at home. At least, Yamamoto should anchor the NRFI here. 

Pick: NRFI (-115)

Houston Astros at Cleveland Guardians

Starting Pitchers: Hunter Brown vs. Gavin Williams

Let's now focus on an intriguing American League matchup for our second NRFI pick today. Gavin Williams starts for Cleveland while Hunter Brown is on the mound for Houston. Both starters bring in encouraging first-inning numbers to help cash our NRFI. 

Brown has been one of the league's best pitchers this year. The Astros right-hander boasts a 1.83 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. His current 30.7% strikeout rate and 7.3% walk rate are both career-best marks. Brown has dominated all season but comes in hot with a 2.05 ERA over his last five starts. 

Unsurprisingly, Brown usually takes care of business in the first inning. He owns a 9-3 NRFI record this year. A season ago, Brown tossed a scoreless opening frame in 23 out of 31 starts. That included a 9-1 NRFI record over his final 10 starts of the year. That gives him an impressive 18-4 NRFI mark over his past 22 outings. 

Brown will face a Cleveland offense ranked 25th in the league in first-inning runs scored this season. It's a matchup the Houston starter should get past, at least early on. 

As for Williams, the Guardians right-hander has just a 7-5 NRFI record this year. Yet, some positive regression should be coming there. He had an 11-5 NRFI record last season and a 13-3 NRFI mark in 2023. If you're keeping score at home, that's a combined 24-8 NRFI record over the previous two seasons (75%). 

Williams has been pitching well lately. He owns a 2.30 ERA over his last five starts with a 4-1 NRFI mark in this stretch as well. He also has a 2.53 ERA over his past four home starts. 

Meanwhile, the Astros present an easy first-inning matchup. The offense ranks last in the Majors in first-inning runs scored this season. Houston is also last in wOBA, wRC+ and OPS in the opening frame.

Plus, the 'Stros have struggled against right-handed pitching over the past week with a .261 wOBA (29th), 66 wRC+ (28th) and .215 batting average (27th). It’s a good matchup for Williams. 

Finally, this game pits two of the best NRFI teams in the league. Cleveland is 39-23 to the NRFI (second-best) while Houston is 38-25 (third-best). Plus, the Astros’ 19-10 NRFI record on the road is tops in the Majors.

Pick: NRFI (-150)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Saturday:

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