MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Sunday (4/20)

If you're looking for some quick-hitting No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets, then you've come to the right place! Below you'll find my three favorite NRFI bets from Sunday's 16-game MLB schedule. 

• MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Team View
• MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Matchup View
• MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
• MLB Consensus Odds

Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>

Sunday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning Picks

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

New York Yankees (-155) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (+130) | 8.0 (-108/-112)

Starting Pitchers: Max Fried vs. Ryan Pepiot

Let's pick it up in the Sunshine State, where the Rays (9-12) are looking to salvage a series split against the visiting Yankees (13-8). Max Fried heads to the bump for New York, while Tampa Bay counters with Ryan Pepiot. First pitch is scheduled for 10:40 p.m. ET from Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. 

Pepiot has been a Yankee-stopper in his career, holding their current lineup to 1-23 (.043) in head-to-head at-bats. In away games this season, New York is 6-3 (66.7%) to the NRFI. The Yankees are the best first-inning team this season, averaging 0.86 runs per 1st inning on the offensive side. However, I think we're getting a pretty good price due to that fact, because there's no denying that Pepiot's head-to-head numbers are impressive. 

On the flip side, Fried has held the Rays to a 2-18 (.111) performance in his career. The left-hander has been lights out this season, bringing in a 1.88 ERA (eighth) and a 1.17 WHIP (44th). We'll also get a boost from Mother Nature, as the wind will be blowing in from right-center field at 8.9 miles per hour (MPH) at first pitch. Give me the NRFI in the Bay this afternoon. 

Bet: NRFI (-125)

Kansas City Royals (+180) vs. Detroit Tigers (-218) | 7.0 (+102/-122)

Starting Pitchers: Tarik Skubal vs. Michael Wacha

The Tigers (13-8) are looking to break out the brooms this afternoon, and they'll have a decent chance to do so, considering the rotation turns over and Tarik Skubal gets the start. The Royals (8-14) counter with Michael Wacha in this divisional tilt, which gets underway at 1:40 p.m. ET from Comerica Park in Detroit, MI. 

Skubal (2.66 ERA) should have no issue mowing down the Royals this afternoon. The southpaw has found his Cy Young-winning form again, as he hasn't allowed a run in either of his last two starts (13.0 IP). He draws a matchup against a Kansas City offense that has been inept this year, ranking dead last in runs per game (2.86) and 16th in runs per first inning (0.50). The Royals are slashing .230/.275/.442 against the left-hander over 113 at-bats. 

As for Wacha, he hasn't been as successful in the head-to-head department, as Detroit is slashing .284/.370/.477 against him over 88 at-bats. However, top-of-the-lineup hitters Kerry Carpenter (2-6), Zach McKinstry (2-6), and Spencer Torkelson (0-6) are a combined 4-18 (.222) against him. Overall, both of these teams are better than 50% to the NRFI this season, with the Royals going 14-8 (fourth) and the Tigers sitting at 11-10 (14th). I'll take a flier on the NRFI in this A.L. Central showdown. 

Bet: NRFI (-155)

San Diego Padres (+105) vs. Houston Astros (-125) | 7.5 (-102/-118)

Starting Pitchers: Dylan Cease vs. Framber Valdez

Tonight's Sunday Night Baseball game comes in H-Town, where the Astros (10-10) are looking to break out the brooms against the Padres (15-6). Dylan Cease will toe the rubber for the visitors, while Framber Valdez takes the ball for the Astros. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET from Daikin Park in Houston, TX. 

Neither of these starters have been great this season, each bringing in ERAs north of 4.90. However, they've both carved up the opposing lineups, so I think it's worth a play on the NRFI. Valdez has held Fernando Tatis Jr. (1-7), Luis Arraez (1-7), and Manny Machado (1-6) to a  combined 3-20 (.150) in his career. As for Cease, the trio of Jose Altuve (5-15), Isaac Paredes (1-7), and Yordan Alvarez (2-16) are a combined 8-38 (.211) against him. 

Houston has been the third-best NRFI team in the MLB this season, sitting at 13-7. San Diego is a middle-of-the-pack 14th at 11-10, and they're 4-4 in road games. If these aces bring their best stuff into tonight's game, then this NRFI should have a great chance to cash. 

Bet: NRFI (-145)