MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Sunday (9/14)
The MLB season churns ahead on Sunday, and I'm looking to lock in a few quick-hitting No Runs First Inning (NRFI) wagers throughout the 15-game slate. Here are three games that I anticipate staying scoreless through the first frame.
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Sunday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Pittsburgh Pirates (-101) vs. Washington Nationals (-121) | O/U 8.5 (-112/-108)
The Pirates (65-84) snapped a seven-game slide on Saturday, beating the Nationals (61-87) in a 5-1 contest. This sets up a matinee rubber match in the nation's capital, as Mike Burrows and Cade Cavalli go toe-to-toe. First pitch is scheduled for 11:35 a.m. ET from Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
The big issue with the Pirates during their current 1-7 stretch of play has been a lack of offensive production. During the eight-game sample size, they're averaging a measly 2.5 runs per game. Over the last seven days, the Buccos are 27th in wOBA (.241), while owning the seventh-highest K% (28.4%). They've seen the NRFI cash in both games this series, and they're now the second-best NRFI team in the league at 85-64 (57%).
As for the Nationals, they'll have their hands full offensively in this one. They're taking on Mike Burrows, who has been in fantastic form recently. The right-hander has logged a 1.50 ERA over his last five outings (18.0 IP). Pittsburgh's pitching staff is fourth in the Majors in keeping their opponent scoreless in the first, doing so 76.51% of the time. Let's lock in the NRFI for the MLB opener this morning.
Bet: NRFI (-110)
Tampa Bay Rays (+138) vs. Chicago Cubs (-169) | O/U 7.5 (-102/-119)
It was the Rays (73-75) who bounced back with a 5-4 victory over the Cubs (84-64) on Saturday, and they'll go for the series win when they send Adrian Houser to the bump. The Cubbies counter with Shota Imanaga in this interleague clash, which gets underway at 2:20 p.m. ET from Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL.
Shota Imanaga is coming off of a dynamic rookie season in the Majors, and the second-year man out of Japan has proven to be a workhorse on Chicago's staff. He has seven consecutive quality starts, posting a 3.00 ERA during the 46.0-inning sample size. Imanaga's season ERA of 3.21 dips to 3.12 at home, and opponents are hitting just .189 against him at Wrigley.
Meanwhile, Adrian Houser continues to impress this season. With the White Sox and the Rays this year, the 32-year-old has posted a 3.11 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Chicago's top-of-the-order hitters of Michael Busch (2-for-5), Ian Happ (4-for-16), Carson Kelly (0-for-3), and Pete Crow-Armstrong (1-for-8) are a combined 7-for-32 (.219) against him. Factor in that the wind will be blowing in from left-center field at around 7.4 MPH at first pitch, and I think we're primed for a NRFI. The prop bet is a solid 42-32 (57%) at Wrigley this season.
Bet: NRFI (-140)
New York Yankees (+128) vs. Boston Red Sox (-157) | O/U 8.0 (-108/-112)
All roads lead to a marquee Sunday Night Baseball showdown between the Yankees (83-65) and the Red Sox (81-68). Will Warren takes the ball for New York as they attempt to complete the series sweep. Boston counters with a Cy Young frontrunner in Garrett Crochet. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET from Fenway Park in Boston, MA.
Well, it looks like Tarik Skubal (-4000) is going to win the Cy Young Award, but Garrett Crochet (+1100) has still been lights out this season. The southpaw is 15-5 with a 2.57 ERA (fifth) and a 1.05 WHIP (11th). His 228 strikeouts are the most in the Majors. Crochet's last two starts against New York have seen him toss 15.1 innings and allow only one earned run (0.59 ERA).
As for Will Warren, he hasn't found a ton of success against the Red Sox throughout his career. Their current roster is slashing .292/.400/.582 against him over 24 at-bats. However, Warren has posted a modest 3.27 ERA in his last two outings (11.0 IP). With the Red Sox only averaging 2.7 runs per game during their current 0-3 stretch, I'm willing to wager that Warren will escape the first inning cleanly. Give me the NRFI in Boston tonight.
Bet: NRFI (-135)