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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Saturday (8/9)

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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, August 9th. 

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Saturday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks

(All odds courtesy DraftKings Sportsbook)

Tampa Bay Rays at Seattle Mariners

Starting Pitchers: Joe Boyle vs. Logan Evans

Today's first NRFI pick takes us to a late-night matchup between the Rays and Mariners. This game features a pair of young starting pitchers on the mound. Let's break down why they can combine for a scoreless first inning. 

Tampa Bay starter Joe Boyle has an impressive 2.30 ERA and .137 batting average allowed this season. He just tossed five shutout innings against the Dodgers last time out. Boyle has only made three starts so far, with four relief appearances. In those starts, though, he's thrown a scoreless first inning each time. 

Boyle now has a 12-4 NRFI record across his 16 career starts. He's allowed only a .182 batting average in his first innings, too. That includes a .111 batting average allowed in his three starts this year. Even on the road today, Boyle can keep it going. 

Since the All-Star break, the Mariners are batting just .164 in the first inning (28th) with a 34.7% strikeout rate (29th) and .231 wOBA (27th) in the frame. Yes, Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez make the lineup more dangerous, but Boyle may not have to face Seattle's four and five hitters in the first inning. The Mariners are also batting a league-worst .204 against righties at home in the first this season. 

Meanwhile, Logan Evans can follow suit early on. The Seattle starter has a 4.30 ERA this year, but all we care about is the first inning. On that note, the rookie has a 10-3 NRFI record. He's also gone five straight home starts with a scoreless opening frame. 

Evans also boasts a 3.03 ERA at home this season. As for the Rays, they have one of the worst first-inning offenses on the road this year, with a .209 batting average (28th) and .276 wOBA (29th). Tampa is also batting just .200 against righties in the first inning over the past two weeks. 

Pick: NRFI (-115)

Philadelphia Phillies at Texas Rangers

Starting Pitchers: Jesus Luzardo vs. Jacob deGrom 

Let's now turn our attention to an Interleague matchup between the Phillies and Rangers. We have Jesus Luzardo on the mound for Philadelphia, and then Jacob deGrom starting for Texas. Both of these pitchers bring exceptional NRFI trends and stats. 

Luzardo has been very up and down over the past two months. He has a 5.12 ERA in his last six starts and a 6.75 ERA over his past 12 outings. Even so, the left-hander has been mostly trustworthy in the first inning this season.

The Phillies starter has thrown a scoreless opening frame in 18 of his 23 starts (78%). Besides allowing four runs in the first inning of one start, Luzardo boasts a strong 2.45 ERA in the frame across his 22 other outings this year. He also owns a 10-1 NRFI record over his last 11 starts. 

This is nothing new for Luzardo. He posted a 10-2 NRFI record last year with a 2.25 first-inning ERA. He also had a 27-5 NRFI mark in 2023 (84%) and a 16-2 NRFI in 2022 (89%). Plus, over his career, the lefty has tossed a scoreless first frame in 80% of his starts. 

Luzardo will face a Rangers offense that's batting just .131 with a .201 wOBA in the first inning since the All-Star break. Overall, Texas has a .231 batting average in the first inning this season (27th). 

Meanwhile, Jacob deGrom has a 2.80 ERA and 0.94 WHIP for the Rangers this season. He's been elite at home, with a 1.91 ERA across 11 home starts. The veteran has been shaky in his last two starts, both on the road, but he should bounce back at home. That begins with a scoreless first inning today. 

A 14-8 NRFI record this season for deGrom isn't too attractive. However, he's due for positive regression in that area. The Texas right-hander is allowing just a .169 batting average with a 0.73 WHIP in the first inning. 

Over his career, deGrom boasts some elite first-inning numbers, including a career 81% NRFI rate. Despite a shaky NRFI record this year, deGrom has still thrown a scoreless first inning in 79% his starts over the past five seasons combined. 

Today, deGrom will take on a Phillies offense that's hitting .167 in the first inning over the past two weeks. Plus, on the road this year, Philly is a subpar first-inning offense with a .222 batting average (24th) and .287 wOBA (24th). 

Pick: NRFI (-145)

 

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