MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Saturday (7/5)
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, July 5th.
- 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 Inning (NRFI) Picks
(All odds courtesy DraftKings Sportsbook)
Kansas City Royals at Arizona Diamondbacks NRFI Picks
Starting Pitchers: Michael Wacha vs. Ryne Nelson
Saturday’s first NRFI pick takes us to an Interleague matchup between the Royals and Diamondbacks. We have two starting pitchers with promising first-inning track records to trust here. Let's break it down.
Royals starter Michael Wacha has tossed a scoreless first inning in all 17 starts this season. He has a 0.88 WHIP with a .217 batting average allowed in his opening frames as well. On the one hand, a perfect NRFI record is unsustainable. However, this is what Wacha does.
The veteran has been great to begin starts over his career and in recent years. Wacha posted a 22-7 NRFI record last season (76%) with a 2.17 ERA and .214 batting average allowed in the first inning. In 2023, he had an 18-6 NRFI mark (75%). The righty also owns a career 73% NRFI rate.
Wacha has a combined 26-7 NRFI record on the road over the past three seasons. He'll face an Arizona offense that's batting just .183 with a .259 wOBA against righties in the first inning over the past month. The Diamondbacks have an upper-tier first-inning offense overall this year, but it's taken a step back lately.
On the other side, Arizona starter Ryne Nelson boasts encouraging first-inning numbers as well. He has a 6-2 NRFI record this year (75%) with a .214 batting average allowed in the first. Last season, the right-hander tossed a scoreless first inning in 21 of his 25 starts (78%) with a 1.41 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in the frame. He owns a career 75% NRFI rate as well.
Nelson comes in pitching well. He just tossed a gem against the Giants last time out and boasts a 1.61 ERA over his past four starts. He also has a 2.63 ERA over his past eight outings. His 2.33 ERA and 2.44 FIP at home this year are encouraging, too. Meanwhile, the Royals have just a .261 wOBA vs. right-handed pitchers over the past week (29th).
Let's back Wacha and Nelson to combine for a scoreless first inning here. Both have trustworthy track records.
Pick: NRFI (-110)
Milwaukee Brewers at Miami Marlins NRFI Picks
Starting Pitchers: Chad Patrick vs. Cal Quantrill
Let's now turn our attention to another Saturday afternoon matchup. Chad Patrick toes the rubber for Milwaukee while Cal Quantrill starts for Miami. The rookie and the veteran can combine for a scoreless first inning to help cash the NRFI.
Patrick has a decent 3.51 ERA and 1.32 WHIP so far this season for the Brewers. The young right-hander has had some shaky starts lately, but all we care about is the first inning. On that note, Patrick owns a 13-4 NRFI record (76%) this year.
The Milwaukee right-hander also has a 2.65 ERA in the first inning this season. When he runs into trouble, it's usually the second or third time through the order. He's tossed a scoreless opening frame in seven of his last eight starts.
Patrick will face a Miami offense that's struggled in the first inning lately. Over the past month, the Marlins have a .261 wOBA (26th) in the opening frame with a 62 wRC+ (25th), .215 batting average (21st) and 26% strikeout rate (23rd). They also rank 24th in season-long wOBA in the first inning this year overall.
Meanwhile, Quantrill brings in some promising first-inning numbers. He boasts a 13-3 NRFI record this year (81%) with a 1.69 ERA and .207 batting average allowed in the frame. This was the case last season when the right-hander posted a 24-5 NRFI record (83%) with a 2.79 first-inning ERA.
In his career overall, Quantrill owns a 75% NRFI rate in his starts. Despite being just an average starter in general, he regularly begins games on a high note. His 5.42 ERA this year is not ideal, but that NRFI track record is tough to ignore.
Pick: NRFI (-125)