The 2026 MLB season continues on Wednesday with all 30 teams in action. Several entertaining games are scheduled, including a World Series rematch between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. A clash between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets 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 MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks that stick out from the rest on this week’s hump day.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Wednesday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Kansas City Royals (-126) at Cleveland Guardians (+108)
Starting Pitchers: Cole Ragans vs. Joey Cantillo
The stage is set for a divisional rubber match on Wednesday after the Royals and Guardians split the first two showdowns of the week. Kansas City turns to Cole Ragans on the mound, while Cleveland counters with Joey Cantillo.
These teams have been NRFI darlings early in the season. There has been a scoreless first inning in eight of the Royals’ 11 games and in 10 of the Guardians’ 12 games. Expect more of the same at Progressive Field.
This is an ideal matchup for Cantillo to exploit. Kansas City is one of three MLB teams that have yet to tally a first-inning run in 2026. Manager Matt Quatraro’s roster hasn’t even tallied an extra-base hit across 35 at-bats in the opening frame.
Cantillo has kept opponents from scoring in the first inning in eight of his previous nine starts and has limited this Royals roster to a .200/.273/.250 slash line over 40 at-bats. Trust him to keep shining.
Cleveland’s offense is in the same boat as Kansas City’s. The Guardians sport the lowest first-inning on-base percentage in the league (.122), and their only two first-inning runs have come via solo home runs.
Ragans has recorded a stellar 2.38 career ERA in the opening frame and has notably held Cleveland star Jose Ramirez in check (1-for-13). Back the crafty southpaw to lean on his elite strikeout rate (31.7%) to escape unscathed on the road.
Pick: NRFI (-142)
San Diego Padres (-110) at Pittsburgh Pirates (-106)
Starting Pitchers: Michael King vs. Mitch Keller
The Pirates will aim to secure their third consecutive series win on Wednesday when they take on the Padres at PNC Park. It’ll be a battle between veteran right-handers as Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller and San Diego’s Michael King draw the start.
These teams do not meet often, but when they do, runs come at a premium. The last seven meetings between these squads have averaged only 5.7 runs per contest and included four scoreless first innings.
Keller is a grind-it-out arm who isn’t afraid to pitch to contact. That can scare bettors at times. Yet, it’s worth noting that the eighth-year pro tossed a clean first inning in 14 of his 17 home starts during the 2025 campaign.
Keller maintained momentum by shutting down the Orioles in the opening frame of his first home start of 2026. The Padres have some stars at the top of the order. However, it’s still a lineup that ranks 26th in team OPS (.610).
King overpowers batters in a different way than Keller. The former Yankee excels at forcing weak contact and wild swings at the plate. It’s a strategy that should help him handle the Pirates with ease.
Pittsburgh has registered a bottom-10 hard-hit rate (36.7%) and whiff rate (28.1%) through 11 games. Remember that King has also posted a spotless first inning in 46 of his career 66 starts (70%). He can be relied on to get the job done.
Pick: NRFI (-130)
