MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Wednesday (4/23)
The 2025 MLB season continues on Wednesday with 15 games on the schedule. A few entertaining series are set for action, including an Interleague collision between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs. The New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians will surely draw attention in their 2024 postseason rematch as well.
Sports bettors wanting to get in on the action without having to sweat through an entire nine-inning contest can turn to MLB No Run First Inning (NRFI) tickets for a quick result. Here’s a dive into two MLB NRFI options that stick out from the rest on this week’s hump day.
- 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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Wednesday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Toronto Blue Jays (-104) at Houston Astros (-112)
Starting Pitchers: Bowden Francis vs. Ryan Gusto
The Astros will go for a series sweep when they grapple with the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Ryan Gusto (2-1, 3.18 ERA) draws the start for Houston, while Bowden Francis (2-2, 3.13 ERA) takes the mound for Toronto. This clash features two offenses that rarely cross home plate at the beginning of games. The Astros average the second-fewest first-inning runs at home (.21) and the Blue Jays average the eighth-fewest first-inning runs on the road (.18).
This is a matchup Gusto can take advantage of. Toronto has posted the fifth-highest chase percentage (30.1%) and tallied the fourth-most strikeouts with runners in scoring position (61). Keeping the ball away from the middle of the plate would do the 26-year-old rookie a lot of good. Overall, an NRFI wager has cashed in nine of Houston’s 15 home contests and 10 of their 15 contests as a betting favorite.
Francis has conceded one hit and one walk across four scoreless first innings this campaign. The Toronto right-hander has now held his opponent off the board in the opening frame in 12 of his previous 13 starts, dating back to 2024. Expect that success to carry on as he confronts an Astros team that ranks dead last in on-base percentage (.239) and OPS (.486) in the first inning. Lock in an NRFI at Daikin Park.
Pick: NRFI (-118)
Philadelphia Phillies (-120) at New York Mets (+102)
Starting Pitchers: Zack Wheeler vs. David Peterson
Strengthening their National League East lead will be the Mets’ goal when they encounter the Phillies in an afternoon battle. New York will turn to David Peterson (1-1, 3.27 ERA) to get the job done and he will be opposed by Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler (2-1, 3.73 ERA). Both hurlers have become accustomed to limiting early damage in their outings. Wheeler and Peterson each finished with a first-inning ERA under 1.15 last year.
Peterson’s experience hindering Philly’s big bats catches the eye in this showdown. The superstar trio of Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber is 13-for-59 with one home run versus the veteran southpaw. It’s worth pointing out that the Phillies have also not scored during the first inning in eight of their past 10 trips to Citi Field (including playoffs). Trust the trends and Peterson’s proficiency in this instance.
The reasoning behind backing Wheeler is very similar to that of Peterson. The two-time All-Star has been able to stymie the top of this New York lineup before. The trio of Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso has logged just 10 extra-base knocks in 119 at-bats against Wheeler. Not only that, but Wheeler has recorded a clean first inning in 12 of his 16 career starts facing the Mets. That’s elite consistency.
Pick: NRFI (-113)