MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Saturday (8/23)
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, August 23.
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Saturday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(All odds courtesy DraftKings Sportsbook)
San Francisco Giants at Milwaukee Brewers
Starting Pitchers: Logan Webb vs. Freddy Peralta
Today's first NRFI pick features two top-tier starting pitchers as the Brewers host the Giants. We have Freddy Peralta on the mound for Milwaukee, while Logan Webb starts for San Francisco. These guys should both combine for a scoreless opening frame.
Peralta is having arguably the best season of his career, with a 2.78 ERA and an MLB-best 15 wins. He's also rolling lately, posting a 2.47 ERA over his past eight starts. That includes fewer than two earned runs allowed in six of his last eight outings.
The right-hander's success usually gets going early. Peralta owns a 22-4 NRFI record this year (85%) with a 2.08 ERA and a .208 batting average allowed in the first inning. He's also thrown a scoreless first frame in 12-of-13 home starts so far. This is a trend, as the Brewers' starter posted a 12-4 home NRFI record last year and a 13-3 home NRFI mark in 2023.
Speaking of home dominance, Peralta owns an elite 1.95 ERA at home this season. He's allowed fewer than two earned runs in 10 of his 13 home outings as well. Let's bank on the Milwaukee righty to set the Giants down quietly at home tonight.
On the other side, Webb can follow suit for San Fran. The veteran has a 3.19 ERA and 2.55 FIP this season. He's also pitching well lately, with a 2.16 ERA over his past four starts. Even with some hiccup outings in the past two months, Webb still boasts a 2.80 FIP over his last 11 starts.
Webb has a 20-6 NRFI record this year (77%). That includes a scoreless first inning in 13 of his last 14 starts. He's also gone five straight road starts without allowing a run in the opening frame. Webb now faces a Brewers offense that's batting a league-low .167 in the first inning since August 4.
Pick: NRFI (-150)
Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners
Starting Pitchers: Jeffrey Springs vs. George Kirby
Let's now turn our attention to an AL West matchup between the Athletics and Mariners. This late-night tilt includes a pair of starting pitchers with encouraging NRFI trends and stats. Let's lean in that direction.
On the surface, A's starter Jeffrey Springs is untrustworthy with a 4.24 ERA this season. He also has just a 14-10 NRFI record (58%) with an ugly 7.13 first-inning ERA. However, there are a few reasons for optimism in today's matchup.
Springs is coming off two rough starts. Before that, though, he had a 2.93 ERA over his previous 10 starts. He's been more effective than you'd think. The left-hander has also been productive on the road, allowing two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six road starts. Going back further, he's done that in eight of his last 11 road outings now.
Yes, Springs' 14-10 NRFI mark this year isn't too pretty. However, a lot of his first-inning struggles have come at home in the Athletics' hitter-friendly park. On the road, he has a 6-1 NRFI record over his past seven starts and an 8-2 mark in his past 10 road starts.
Today, Springs will take on a Mariners offense that's batting just .208 with a 37.0% strikeout rate in the first inning over the past week. Against left-handed pitching in the first during August so far, the M's have a .211 BA and 36.8% K rate. Plus, Seattle has just a .222 BA at home in the frame this year (28th in MLB).
Meanwhile, Mariners starter George Kirby will look to bounce back after getting shelled by the Phillies last time out. Before that, he boasted a 2.32 ERA over his previous nine starts. The right-hander has also been excellent at home, with a 2.08 ERA over his past five home starts.
Kirby owns an impressive 13-3 NRFI record this season (81%). That includes a .204 batting average allowed and 0.88 WHIP in the first inning. He's also tossed a scoreless opening frame in 7-of-8 home starts this year. Plus, Kirby has now gone 37-8 to the NRFI at home over the past three seasons combined (82%).
Pick: NRFI (-105)