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 Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers. A meeting between the New York Yankees 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.
- 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)
New York Mets (-116) at Detroit Tigers (-102)
Starting Pitchers: Clay Holmes vs. Casey Mize
The Mets will aim to pull off a valuable sweep over the Tigers on Wednesday. Clay Holmes (11-6, 3.60 ERA) will take the mound for New York, while Casey Mize (12-5, 3.95 ERA) will answer the call for Detroit. These squads have been reliable targets in the NRFI department in 2025. The first inning has ended with zeroes on the scoreboard in 41 of the Mets’ 67 away games and 77 of the Tigers’ 140 games.
Mize has been spectacular at the beginning of contests this year, logging a 1.96 first-inning ERA across 23 starts. A vital part of that success can be attributed to the ability to escape sticky situations. The Detroit right-hander is limiting opponents to a .217/.264/.340 slash line with runners in scoring position. Trust Mize to keep rolling against a New York lineup that averages the third-fewest first-inning runs per road clash.
Not to be outdone, Holmes has posted an impressive 2.33 ERA through 27 opening frames. Only four of his 22 hits allowed in that span went for extra bases. The veteran hurler relies on a heavy ground ball rate (56.4%) to rack up outs and has surrendered just four home runs in 13 outings away from Citi Field. Don’t expect a Detroit roster that ranks 23rd in on-base percentage since the All-Star break (.308) to create an offensive rally.
Pick: NRFI (-111)
Texas Rangers (+116) at Arizona Diamondbacks (-136)
Starting Pitchers: Jack Leiter vs. Zac Gallen
The Diamondbacks will look to earn a series victory when they host the Rangers on Wednesday afternoon. Arizona’s Zac Gallen (10-13, 4.94 ERA) and Texas’ Jack Leiter (9-7, 3.77 ERA) will toe the slab at Chase Field. It’s worth pointing out that 16 of the last 22 matchups between these teams (including playoffs) have featured a scoreless first inning. Pitching has risen above hitting in the early goings.
It hasn’t been an inspiring campaign for Gallen, but he has been finding his stride lately. The 30-year-old finished August with a 2.57 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in six starts (35 innings). Five of those six outings kicked off with a clean first inning. Texas has recorded a putrid .234/.309/.371 slash line in the opening frame, and its players have registered a dismal .165/.221/.268 slash line in 97 at-bats versus Gallen. Back the arm in this showdown.
The momentum Leiter has been building is similar to that of Gallen. The young rookie has conceded three or fewer runs in each of his past 12 starts, which has improved his ERA to 3.77 on the season. Take note that Leiter completed the first inning unscathed in 10 of those 12 starts. That includes when he battled Arizona on August 12. Overall, NRFI wagers cash during Rangers games at the fourth-highest rate in the league (57.1%).
Pick: NRFI (+116)
