Welcome back to another day of sports betting as the MLB season continues, and we can make some No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets. NRFI is a popular betting market where gamblers wager on whether the first inning of an MLB game will end with zero runs scored by either team. Pretty simple.
NRFI bets are the best because they're quick - sometimes you'll know the outcome within minutes. NRFI bets can provide an edge over other markets if you have done your research. I'm here to help provide that edge. As always, shop around for the best odds and be on the lookout for lineup announcements, which can change a lot.
Let's dive into a pair of games on a smaller slate with today’s NRFI picks.
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Team View
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Matchup View
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- MLB Consensus Odds
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Thursday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
Last Time: 1-1 Season: 10-8 | All odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros
Starting Pitchers: Shane Baz vs. Ryan Gusto
There aren't many games today, but Rays-Astros should be great. It's a toss-up on the Moneyline, and both teams should be playoff squads. Shane Baz for Tampa has settled down in his last three starts. What also stands out is how he starts strong, with a 1.80 ERA in his 10 starts so far this year, limiting opponents to a .179 batting average. Jeremy Pena has done well at the top of the Houston lineup off Baz, but besides that, it's looking suitable for limited run scoring.
Ryan Gusto for Houston has improved pitching early in games, and Tampa ranks 19th in terms of runs scored in the opening frame. The Rays haven't seen any of the Astros rookie starter, which benefits limiting early runs. For me, it's Pena or no one here, so I'm riding no runs. Feel free to bet some Pena-specific props if you'd like, but I'm banking on zero runs being scored early.
Play: NRFI (-130)
Washington Nationals at Seattle Mariners
Starting Pitchers: MacKenzie Gore vs. Emerson Hancock
It is always tempting to go with an NRFI bet, but at some point, you have to play the odds and go the other way (sorry, spoilers).
MacKenzie Gore takes the bump for Washington, and he's had a solid season, but has struggled a bit on the road, owning a 4.26 ERA away from Washington compared to a 2.64 at home. There's only one Mariners hitter who has really seen any of Gore and seen him well, but that happens to be J.P. Crawford, who should be leading things off for the Mariners tonight. Crawford has homered off Gore and is 2-for-3 in minimal appearances against him.
On the other side, Emerson Hancock has seriously struggled at home with a 12.34 home ERA in his three starts and a whopping 11.74 first-inning ERA in his eight starts. Granted, six of those runs came in one start, but it's still a sign of his ability to implode early. Both offenses are top-10 in first-inning scoring, so I'm surprised by these plus odds and going to take it for the value it is and ride the Yes Runs First Inning (YRFI) here. Again, remember to shop around because I am guessing there are some +120 odds or longer out there.
Play: YRFI (+110)
