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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Sunday (8/24)

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After a thrilling Week 0 slate of college football on Saturday, it's Major League Baseball’s turn to take center stage today. I'm heading to the prop sheet to get some skin in the game, and below you can find my top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks and predictions.

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Sunday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning Picks

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Cleveland Guardians (+108) vs. Texas Rangers (-132) | O/U 8.0 (-107/-114)

Starting Pitchers: Gavin Williams vs. Merrill Kelly

The Rangers (65-66) are looking to break out the brooms against the Guardians (64-64) this afternoon, and they'll turn to Merrill Kelly to try and accomplish that goal. Cleveland opts for Gavin Williams in this pivotal American League clash, which gets under at 2:35 p.m. ET from Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX. 

These have been two of the best NRFI teams in the Majors this season, and they've put that on display this weekend with the prop bet going 2-0. Texas is third to the NRFI at 76-55 (58%), while Cleveland is fourth at 73-55 (57%). Offensively, both teams are scoring fewer than 0.5 runs per first inning, which puts them each in the bottom half of the league. 

Kelly (3.35 ERA) has been sharp recently, posting two straight quality starts and registering a 3.00 ERA during the 12-inning stretch. As for Williams (3.24 ERA), he didn't allow a single earned run in his last outing against the Diamondbacks (5.1 innings) on Monday. The right-hander has a 1.96 ERA in four August outings (23 innings). With both pitchers in solid form, this signals a green light to lock in the NRFI. 

Bet: NRFI (-135)

Los Angeles Dodgers (-107) vs. San Diego Padres (-113) | O/U 7.5 (-119/-102)

Starting Pitchers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Nick Pivetta

After getting swept out of Los Angeles last weekend, it's the Padres (74-56) who have bounced back with five consecutive wins and reclaimed the National League West lead over the Dodgers (73-57). Today's series finale features a pitching matchup between Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Nick Pivetta. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET from Petco Park in San Diego, CA. 

There has been a playoff-like atmosphere between these two clubs over the last week. Runs have been tough to come by, as the National League West foes have combined for an average of just 5.8 runs per game during their five recent head-to-head meetings. The NRFI is 3-2, including going 2-0 in this specific weekend series. 

We have a doozy of a pitching matchup today as well, with Yamamoto (2.90 ERA) taking on Pivetta (2.81 ERA). Among qualified starters, these hurlers are ranked 16th or better in both ERA and WHIP. With both offenses also ranked outside of the top 10 in wOBA over the last seven days, I think it's worth a -110 flier on the NRFI in this spot. 

Bet: NRFI (-110)

Boston Red Sox (+144) vs. New York Yankees (-176) | O/U 8.5 (-114/-107)

Starting Pitchers: Dustin May vs. Carlos Rodon

The MLB week wraps up in the Big Apple, where the Red Sox (71-59) are looking to complete a four-game sweep of the Yankees (69-60). Dustin May heads to the bump for Boston, while New York counters with Carlos Rodon. This Sunday Night Baseball showdown is set for 7:10 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. 

Rodon has been a stable option for the Yankees this year, as he comes into the series finale at 13-7 with a 3.24 ERA (23rd) and a 1.07 WHIP (14th). The left-hander has held the Red Sox's current lineup in check, as they're slashing .224/.298/.412 against him over 85 at-bats. Rodon's home ERA dips to 2.84 this season, and with this being a monumental start, I expect him to bring his best stuff. 

As for May, he has been dialed in since coming over from the Dodgers at the trade deadline. The right-hander has posted a 2.87 ERA in three starts (15.2 innings) with his new club. We don't have much head-to-head data, but it is worth noting that Paul Goldschmidt (2-for-5) and Cody Bellinger (0-for-2) are a combined 2-for-7 (.286) against him. New York has scored only four runs this series, so I'm not too worried about their offense at the moment. Give me the NRFI in this rivalry contest. 

Bet: NRFI (-120)

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