MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Friday (5/29)
Welcome to another beautiful day. The sun is shining. Baseball is in literal full swing. Life is good. Let's bet some MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks. It's a popular betting market where gamblers wager on whether the first inning of an MLB game will end with zero runs scored by either team. Pretty simple.
NRFI bets are the best because they're quick - sometimes you'll know the outcome within minutes. NRFI bets can provide an edge over other markets if you’ve done your research. I'm here to help provide that edge. As always, shop around for the best odds and be on the lookout for lineup announcements, which can significantly impact the outcome.
We have gone 10-1 across the last four weeks, so I’m hoping to continue the hot streak today. I don’t expect to be on a heater like this all season, but hopefully you can jump in while the water's hot. Let's dive into today’s games.
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Friday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
Last Time: 1-1 | Season: 19-6
Los Angeles Angels vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Starting Pitchers: Walbert Urena vs. Nick Martinez
To start, we have the Angels traveling across the country to take on the Rays in a solid pitching matchup. Walbert Urena owns a 2.58 ERA and, more importantly, hasn't allowed a run in the first inning across his seven starts. He's barely allowed anything, limiting opponents to just two hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. Nick Martinez has been just as good, allowing a .189 batting average with zero runs to opponents in the opening frame across his 10 starts.
Considering neither pitcher has allowed a run in their 17 combined starts, I'm shocked at the odds. The Rays rank ninth in NRFI rate, while the Angels rank 17th, so it's not like either offense has exactly been a powerhouse. Mike Trout is always a concern, but with Los Angeles traveling so far with his first at-bat in the series against someone with a 1.14 home ERA, I'm confident in a goose egg to start this game.
Play: NRFI (-113 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Starting Pitchers: Shota Imanaga vs. TBD
It's been a roller coaster of a season for the Cubs, becoming the second team ever to have two different 10-game winning streaks, along with a 10-game losing streak in a single season. From a batting perspective, they've only scored a first-inning run in 10 of their 57 games so far this year.
As of this typing, the Cardinals haven't officially announced their starter between Andre Pallante (expected) and Kyle Leahy. Either way, the Cubs’ offense has been struggling and is not much better on the road.
Shota Imanaga has been solid in the opening frame, limiting opponents’ scoring in eight of his 11 starts, with a better road than home ERA. Both teams rank in the top 10 in NRFI rate, so I'm going to keep with the trend.
Play: NRFI (-120 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners
Starting Pitchers: Zac Gallen vs. George Kirby
Finally, we have a battle out West between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Seattle Mariners, and you know we're going to get weird with it. Zac Gallen takes the bump for the Diamondbacks, and his splits aren't particularly favorable here.
Gallen owns a 7.25 road ERA compared to a 3.09 ERA at home. He has allowed a higher batting average to lefties, which he will see at the top of the Mariners’ lineup. His first-inning ERA sits at 5.73 in 11 starts.
Seattle, meanwhile, has the fourth-highest yes runs first inning (YRFI) rate, while Arizona is right behind them in fifth. George Kirby is pitching for Seattle, and he's been decent but nothing spectacular, allowing a first-inning run in four of his 11 starts. Either way, I'm shocked at the plus-odds offered here and am jumping on the YRFI.
Play: YRFI (+116 at FanDuel Sportsbook)