The 2026 MLB season continues on Wednesday with all 30 teams in action. Several compelling games are scheduled, including an American League East clash between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. A matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants will surely draw attention on the National League side. Sports bettors wanting to get in on the action without sweating through an entire nine-inning contest can turn to MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks for a quick result. Here’s a look at two picks that stick out from the rest on this week’s hump day.
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Wednesday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Baltimore Orioles (+110) at Kansas City Royals (-130)
Starting Pitchers: Chris Bassitt vs. Michael Wacha
An exciting rubber match is set for Wednesday after the Orioles and Royals split two battles to kick off the week. It will be a showdown of veteran right-handers.
Baltimore’s Chris Bassitt (0-2, 6.19 ERA) and Kansas City’s Michael Wacha (2-0, 1.00 ERA) will toe the rubber. These squads have been NRFI darlings this year. There’s been a scoreless first inning in 19 of the Orioles’ 24 games (79%) and in 18 of the Royals’ 24 games (75%).
Wacha has posted a sensational 1.00 ERA and 0.78 WHIP across his four starts (27 innings). Each performance has featured a clean opening frame, which is impressive given he has faced elite lineups in the Yankees and Braves.
Baltimore is far from an elite lineup. The Orioles sport the fifth-lowest OPS on the road (.625) and have yet to record a first-inning run in 12 away contests. Expect Wacha to remain hot by exploiting a favorable draw.
Bassitt finds himself in a very similar spot. Kansas City has scored the fewest first-inning runs (one) and tallied the fewest first-inning extra base hits (two) in the Majors.
Keep in mind that the Royals have also struggled in day games, logging the lowest on-base percentage (OBP) in the American League (.286). Overall, Bassitt has kept his opponent from scoring in seven of his last 10 first innings. Trust him to escape unscathed.
Pick: NRFI (-104)
Pittsburgh Pirates (-108) at Texas Rangers (-108)
Starting Pitchers: Braxton Ashcraft vs. Jack Leiter
The Rangers will aim to secure a series win on Wednesday following their 5-1 victory over the Pirates on Tuesday. Texas will hand the baseball to Jack Leiter (1-1, 4.87 ERA), while Pittsburgh counters with Braxton Ashcraft (1-1, 2.38 ERA).
These teams do not meet often as Interleague foes. Slow starts have shown to be the norm, though. Nine of the previous 14 games between the Pirates and Rangers have included a scoreless opening frame.
Command and movement have been noticeably better for Leiter through four outings. The 26-year-old has seen his strikeout rate increase (22.9% to 26.7%) and his whiff rate rise (24.3% to 31.0%) from 2025 to 2026.
That is worth noting ahead of a collision with Pittsburgh. The Pirates have racked up more strikeouts in the first inning (31) than any other National League offense. Watch for Leiter to take advantage.
Success from Leiter would leave the result of this bet up to Ashcraft. The former second-round pick has been perfect in the first inning during his young career, registering a spotless 0.00 ERA and a .186 OBP in 12 starts.
Texas is averaging a minuscule 0.14 first-inning runs per home game and has hit just two home runs at Globe Life Field this campaign (seven contests). Back Ashcraft to stay perfect.
Pick: NRFI (-120)
