We stayed in the black with last week’s MLB no runs first inning (NRFI) picks column, standing at 3-2 with a slight +0.36 unit profit to this point.
There are several quality pitchers to back from an NRFI perspective on today’s slate, and others I am happy to oppose for early runs at decent odds.
Let's dive into some games on this April 12th slate and make some MLB no runs first inning (NRFI) picks.
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Sunday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | Season: 3-2 (+0.36 units, 7.2% ROI)
Los Angeles Angels vs. Cincinnati Reds
Starting Pitchers: Jose Soriano vs. Andrew Abbott
Jose Soriano has allowed just one earned run over 20 innings across three starts. In the process, he became the second pitcher in franchise history with 20+ innings pitched and one earned run or fewer allowed over the first three starts of the season. In his last outing, Soriano retired 19 consecutive batters after allowing back-to-back hits in the first inning.
I expect Abbott to match zeros with Soriano early, especially since he has done an outstanding job of keeping the ball in the yard (his 0.5 HR/9 rate is on pace to be by far his career best). That is due to an elite 10.9% fly-ball rate, which plays very well in the small confines of Great American Ball Park.
Play: NRFI (-130)
Miami Marlins vs. Detroit Tigers
Starting Pitchers: Sandy Alcantara vs. Tarik Skubal
In Sandy Alcantara’s last 11 starts dating back to August 15th, he is 7-1 with a 2.08 ERA over 78 innings, which are the most innings pitched in the Majors during that span. The righty also owns a respectable 8.1 K/9 rate and an eye-popping .167 opponent’s average in that span. He already owns a complete game this year, his 10th since the start of 2022, and the Phillies are the only entire team with more than him in that span (11).
Meanwhile, Tarik Skubal has pitched to a 2.04 ERA since June 2025, which is the second-lowest among all pitchers with a minimum of 90 innings pitched in that span. The Tigers entered the weekend with the fifth-highest NRFI percentage in the majors (85.71%), and this NRFI bet is every bit worth the steep price to back with two units of our bankroll with two aces on the mound.
Play: NRFI (-205)
Cleveland Guardians vs. Atlanta Braves
Starting Pitchers: Tanner Bibee vs. Chris Sale
The Braves lead the league with a 2.25 team ERA, and have allowed two or fewer runs in nine out of 14 games. They've allowed one total run in Chris Sale's two home starts, despite one of those coming against the Athletics when the southpaw was dealing with an illness.
While the Guardians ranked 19th in runs and 23rd in batting average on balls in play (BABIP) entering the weekend, this game is worth a speculative yes runs first inning (YRFI) play in case Sale has any ill effects of allowing six earned runs in his last start (his most in a single game since June 2024).
Meanwhile, the top of the Braves lineup has mashed recently, led by Drake Baldwin, who entered Saturday amid a five-game hit streak with at least an RBI in each game in that span. He had reached base safely in all 14 games.
I’m banking on Atlanta’s hitters taking advantage of Tanner Bibee’s eye-popping 56.4% hard-hit rate allowed, and hoping they score near the nine runs per game that it averaged during a recent three-game winning streak.
Play: YRFI (+105)
Mike Spector is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeSpector01.