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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Sunday (7/20)

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We went 3-0 with yesterday's MLB best bets, and I'm looking to stay hot as we move over to the prop sheet to try and cash a few No Runs First Inning (NRFI) wagers. Let's close out the weekend with some more winners on the diamond. Here are my top NRFI bets for Sunday, July 20th.

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Sunday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning Picks

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Cincinnati Reds (+124) vs. New York Mets (-151) | O/U 8.0 (-118/-103)

The Reds (52-47) are looking to break out the brooms against the Mets (55-44), and I'd say they have a pretty good chance to do so, considering they'll send Andrew Abbott to the bump. New York counters with David Peterson in this National League clash, which gets underway at 1:40 p.m. ET from Citi Field in Queens, NY.

It's going to be tough sledding for both offenses today. Cincinnati is running into Peterson, who has been excellent this season with a 3.06 ERA (20th) and a 1.24 WHIP (34th). In his last two starts (13.2 innings), the southpaw has logged a 1.32 ERA. The only notable head-to-head data we have for the Reds' top-of-the-lineup hitters is that TJ Friedl (1-for-4) and Austin Hays (0-for-1) are a combined 1-for-5 (.200) against Peterson.

As for the bottom of the first, I don't anticipate the Mets doing much damage against Abbott. He has been spectacular, going 8-1 with a 2.07 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. Over the last 14 days, the Mets are just 26th in wOBA (.283) and 24th in ISO (.128). Finally, it's worth mentioning that New York is the third-best NRFI team in the MLB this season at 59-40 (60%).

Bet: NRFI (-135)

Kansas City Royals (-127) vs. Miami Marlins (+104) | O/U 7.5 (-114/-107)

The Marlins (46-51) have won four straight games, and they'll attempt to sweep the Royals (47-52) today when they give the ball to Janson Junk. Kansas City opts for Kris Bubic. The first pitch of this Interleague matchup is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET from loanDepot park in Miami, FL.

The Royals are the best NRFI team in the Majors this season, having gone 62-37 (63%) to the prop bet. Their pitching staff is great, and with their offense scoring only 3.39 runs per game (29th), they're always a prime candidate to cash the NRFI bet. Kansas City is running into Junk, who owns a 2.68 ERA across 50.1 innings pitched this year. In his last three starts (19 innings), the right-hander has registered a 0.95 ERA.

The Marlins are just 48-49 (49%) to the NRFI this season, but when facing a left-handed starter, they're 20-6 (77%) to the prop bet. They'll take on a devastating southpaw this afternoon in Bubic, who brings in a 2.48 ERA (ninth) and a 1.16 WHIP (27th). I'm playing the NRFI in Miami.

Bet: NRFI (-140)

Houston Astros (+103) vs. Seattle Mariners (-125) | O/U 6.5 (-115/-105)

The Astros (56-42) and Mariners (52-45) wrap up their pivotal series tonight in the Pacific Northwest, and we should be in for a great game, as Hunter Brown and Bryan Woo go toe-to-toe in the starting pitching department. First pitch is slated for 4:10 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Park in Seattle, WA.

This NRFI play comes with a -160 price tag, but I don't mind laying the juice considering the heavyweight pitching matchup. Woo is 8-4 this season with a 2.75 ERA (14th) and a 0.93 WHIP (sixth). Brown is 9-4 with a 2.43 ERA (seventh) and a 0.96 WHIP (seventh). These are two of the best pitchers in the Majors, so offense should be tough to come by.

Finally, Houston is ranked fifth in the MLB to the NRFI this season at 57-41 (58%), and they're currently on a 3-0 NRFI run. Seattle is 48-50 (49%) this year, but they're 2-0 to the NRFI in recent games and in the midst of a 7-3 NRFI stretch. Pitching should win the day in Seattle this evening - give me the NRFI.

Bet: NRFI (-160)

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