For those unaware, NRFI stands for No Run First Inning. It's a popular betting market in which gamblers wager on whether the first inning of an MLB game will end with zero runs scored by either team. Pretty simple. These bets heavily depend on the starting pitchers and consider factors like pitcher stats, team tendencies, ballpark conditions, and weather. Some teams consistently score early, while others struggle.
NRFI bets are the best because they're quick - sometimes, you'll know the outcome within minutes. Some pitchers also excel in the first inning due to their repertoire or mental approach. NRFI capitalizes on this. And if you've done your research, NRFI bets can provide an edge over other markets. I'm here to help provide that edge. As always, shop around for the best odds and be on the lookout for any lineup changes or injury news.
Let's get to it with my best MLB NRFI picks for Thursday, May 30.
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Thursday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | Last Time: 1-1 | MLB Season: 6-9
Washington Nationals @ Atlanta Braves
Starting Pitchers: Trevor Williams vs. Reynaldo Lopez
Looking at these two teams and matchups, I'm not sure if I've seen a bet I've liked as much as betting an NRFI for this game. To start, let's look at the offenses. The Washington Nationals rank dead-last in the league in first-inning scoring, having only plated 14 runs in 53 first innings. The Braves are a bit better, but still nothing to write home about for their reputation; the Braves are tied for 19th in the league with 23 first-inning runs.
For pitching, Reynaldo Lopez is expected to get the start for the Braves and he has been stellar so far. Not only does he boast a 1.75 ERA, but he has yet to allow a first-inning run in nine starts. That's five total hits across nine innings. Talk about dominance. Trevor Williams for Washington has fared similarly, boasting a 2.29 ERA with a 1.80 ERA in the first frame, allowing two runs across 10 starts in the opening inning.
Considering the matchup, I expected this price to be closer to -140 or even shorter. To get it at -104 is an absolute steal. Dare I say, this may be the play of the month for me. I will absolutely bet two or three units on it.
Play: NRFI (-104)
Houston Astros @ Seattle Mariners
Starting Pitchers: Spencer Arrighetti @ Logan Gilbert
I've used a spaghetti pun for the Houston rookie pitcher before, so I won't do that again, but my point still stands that Arrighetti is a first-inning betting machine when it comes to opposing run scoring. Spencer Arrighetti has allowed nine runs in the first inning across eight starts. That's a 10.13 ERA. Both righties and lefties are batting above .300 against him and Seattle packs a punch at the top of their order.
Logan Gilbert for Seattle has his fair share of struggles, with seven runs allowed in the first inning across 11 starts. He hasn't allowed more runs in any inning than that, with a 5.73 ERA. This game screams early run-scoring, so feel free to get risky. Considering we're already getting plus-odds for it, I'm happy to settle with Yes First Run Inning (YRFI) but don't be surprised if it's Y-four-RFI.
Play: YRFI (+104)
