MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Wednesday (8/6)
The 2025 MLB season continues on Wednesday with all 30 teams in action. Several entertaining games are scheduled, including a National League collision between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs. A meeting between the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers 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)
Cleveland Guardians (+150) at New York Mets (-178)
Starting Pitchers: Gavin Williams vs. David Peterson
The Guardians will go for a sweep of the Mets on Wednesday, following their back-to-back wins to begin this interleague battle. Cleveland’s Gavin Williams (6-4, 3.33 ERA) draws the start alongside New York’s David Peterson (7-4, 2.83 ERA). Take note that the first inning has ended with zeroes on the scoreboard in 67 of the Mets’ 114 games (59%) and 65 of the Guardians’ 113 games (58%) in 2025. Those are both top-five cash rates in baseball.
Peterson has served as the ace in an inconstant New York starting rotation. The All-Star hurler has especially excelled at Citi Field, logging a 2.00 ERA and allowing just two home runs across 11 starts (67.1 innings). It’s worth pointing out that Peterson fired a clean first inning in 10 of those 11 outings. Don’t expect a Cleveland offense that ranks 24th in first-inning runs per contest to find any early success in Flushing.
Not to be outdone, Williams has finished the opening frame unscathed in 10 of his previous 11 starts. The 26-year-old has done a great job at getting out of jams, as he has limited hitters to a .184 batting average with runners in scoring position. While the Mets’ lineup features some experienced sluggers, it has posted the lowest OPS in the National League over the past 30 days (.660). Trust Williams to earn three quick outs.
Pick: NRFI (-125)
San Francisco Giants (-148) at Pittsburgh Pirates (+126)
Starting Pitchers: Robbie Ray vs. Andrew Heaney
A series win is up for grabs on Wednesday after the Giants and Pirates split their first two clashes of the week. A pair of veteran southpaws will toe the slab in San Francisco’s Robbie Ray (9-5, 2.85 ERA) and Pittsburgh’s Andrew Heaney (5-9, 4.89 ERA). This matchup has been a consistent target in the NRFI department and for good reason. There’s been a scoreless first inning in 12 of the last 17 showdowns between these squads.
Let’s focus on a pair of lackluster offenses. The Giants sport the second-lowest on-base percentage versus left-handed pitching (.279) and have grounded into the third-most double plays on the road (44). Meanwhile, the Pirates possess the second-lowest batting average against left-handed pitching (.219) and have tallied the second-fewest homers in home games (34). Scoring runs has not been an easy task for either side.
Now is a perfect time to back the pros on the mound. Ray has held opponents to a .193/.269/.277 slash line and surrendered only one dinger in the opening frame this campaign. Heaney has shut down San Francisco stars like Matt Chapman (4-for-18) and Rafael Devers (2-for-11) before. Overall, Ray and Heaney have combined to keep their foe from crossing home plate during the first inning in 31 of their 44 starts this year.
Pick: NRFI (-128)