The 2026 MLB season is officially here! After the Giants and Yankees got things started last night, we now have a full Opening Day slate of games on tap for Thursday, March 26th. Let's dive into our top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks.
If you're unfamiliar with NRFI bets, here's a quick explanation. We're simply betting that neither team will score a run in the first inning. That means we have a 0-0 scoreline after both teams bat in the opening frame. Conversely, you can bet on the YRFI, or Yes Runs First Inning. Without further ado, let's jump into the best NRFI picks for Opening Day.
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Thursday's Best MLB NRFI Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Texas Rangers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Starting Pitchers: Nathan Eovaldi vs. Cristopher Sanchez
Let's lead off our NRFI picks with the Phillies hosting the Rangers. We have an intriguing pitching matchup on tap, with Nathan Eovaldi starting for Texas and Cristopher Sanchez on the bump for Philadelphia. Both starters bring in strong NRFI numbers, pointing us in that direction.
Nathan Eovaldi posted a 19-3 NRFI record last season (86%), with a 1.23 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in the first inning. The Rangers' right-hander also owns a 77% NRFI mark over the past five seasons and a career 74% NRFI rate. He pitched very well on the road last year, with a 1.39 ERA and 0.81 WHIP, as well as scoreless first innings in nine of 11 road starts.
Plus, across his career, Eovaldi has usually been dialed in for his opening frame of the season. The veteran has thrown a scoreless first inning in 10-of-14 starts to begin the year. That includes a 5-1 NRFI mark over the past six seasons in his first outings.
Today's matchup against the Phillies can be dangerous, especially with Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper able to go deep in any given at-bat. However, Eovaldi should get by unscathed. Trea Turner batted .133 this spring, while Schwarber hasn't been much better (.200 BA). Plus, Harper just slumped through the World Baseball Classic to the tune of a .214 batting average.
On the other side, Cristopher Sanchez is coming off a Cy Young-caliber season in which he posted a 2.50 ERA. The Philly left-hander put up a 27-5 NRFI record last year (84%), with a 1.69 ERA and .191 BA allowed in the first inning. He also had a 23-8 NRFI mark in 2024 and owns a career 77% NRFI rate.
Sanchez had some excellent home numbers last season. He recorded a 1.94 ERA across 15 home starts, with a 13-2 NRFI record as well. The southpaw should set down the top of the Texas lineup in his home debut this year.
Pick: NRFI (-125)
Boston Red Sox vs. Cincinnati Reds
Starting Pitchers: Garrett Crochet vs. Andrew Abbott
Our second NRFI pick today features another interleague matchup on Thursday afternoon. Garrett Crochet and the Red Sox visit Andrew Abbott and the Reds. This pair of starting pitchers should anchor a scoreless first inning.
Garrett Crochet brings in dominant first-inning numbers. He posted a 26-6 NRFI record last year (81%), with a 2.25 ERA and 41.4% strikeout rate in the opening frame. The Boston southpaw also had a 26-5 NRFI mark (84%) and a 0.84 WHIP in the first inning in 2024.
On the road last season, Crochet put up a 2.25 ERA across 18 starts with a 15-3 NRFI record as well. He regularly showed up in tough road environments, which will be the case today in the hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. The Red Sox ace should handle the top of the Cincinnati lineup, with Elly De La Cruz as the only real danger.
Meanwhile, Reds starter Andrew Abbott can hold serve and help cash the NRFI. The lefty is coming off a breakout campaign, posting a 2.87 ERA last season. That was evident in the first inning, as Abbott put up a 25-4 NRFI record (86%). He also tossed a scoreless opening frame in 15-of-16 home starts, with a 2.39 ERA overall at home.
Let's bank on Abbott starting this season strong as well. The Red Sox offense can be tough to navigate, but the top of the order gets downgraded with Alex Bregman gone. Boston's lineup is expected to feature Roman Anthony leading off and Jarren Duran batting third, but both left-handed hitters can be neutralized by the southpaw Abbott.
Pick: NRFI (-150)
