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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Wednesday (8/13)

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lThe 2025 MLB season continues on Wednesday with all 30 teams in action. Several entertaining games are scheduled, including an interleague collision between the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays. A meeting between the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros will surely draw attention on the American 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) tickets for a quick result. Here’s a peek at two MLB NRFI options 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)

Pittsburgh Pirates (+158) at Milwaukee Brewers (-188)

Starting Pitchers: Mitch Keller vs. Brandon Woodruff

The Brewers will look to extend their winning streak to 12 games when they clash with the Pirates on Wednesday. Milwaukee’s Brandon Woodruff (4-0, 2.29 ERA) will toe the slab alongside Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller (5-10, 3.86 ERA) at American Family Field. These squads have been money-makers in the NRFI department this year. There’s been a clean first inning in 38 of the Brewers’ 61 home games and 33 of the Pirates’ 58 away games.

Woodruff has been stellar since returning from a shoulder injury, posting a 0.65 WHIP and averaging 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings over six starts. Hitters leading off an inning against the veteran hurler are getting on base at just a .194 clip, which limits scoring opportunities. More success should be on the way versus a Pittsburgh offense that checks in dead last in runs per contest (3.53), total bases (1,383), and OPS (.647).

Dominating out of the gate has been a specialty of Keller’s in 2025. The right-hander has fired a scoreless opening frame in 18 of his 24 starts and has surrendered one home run in that span. Those efforts include when he sat the Brewers down in order to begin what was a 2-1 Pirates victory back in May. Milwaukee is hot right now, but it is still a lineup that logs the third-fewest first-inning runs per home matchup. Trust Keller to take advantage.

Pick: NRFI (-140)

Atlanta Braves (+168) at New York Mets (-200)

Starting Pitchers: Carlos Carrasco vs. David Peterson

The Mets will aim to earn a series win on Wednesday following their 13-5 shellacking of the Braves on Tuesday. David Peterson (7-5, 2.98 ERA) draws the nod for New York, while Carlos Carrasco (2-2, 6.18) takes the baseball for Atlanta. These National League East rivals have had 21 battles on the diamond during the last two seasons. Zeroes were on the scoreboard at the end of the first inning in 16 of those 21 showdowns.

Peterson was featured in this article last week and came through by keeping the Guardians from scoring in the first inning. It was the 11th time in 12 home outings that he finished the opening frame unscathed. Overall, Peterson has dazzled at Citi Field with a 2.33 ERA and .226 opponent batting average in 73.1 innings. Back a consistent arm and fade an Atlanta roster that ranks 24th in batting average on the road (.234).

It’s been a campaign of highs and lows for Carrasco. One of the highs has been his triumphs early in ballgames. Three singles are the only knocks the 38-year-old has conceded across eight scoreless first innings. It’s worth pointing out that Carrasco has also yet to allow a homer when ahead in the count. Locating pitches and dotting the edges of the strike zone will be crucial in the quest for an NRFI in Flushing.

Pick: NRFI (-102)

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