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 missed a +200 bet last time out with the Yankees going all out in the second inning instead of the first, but it was still a winning week. Let's do it again and dive into some games for today’s slate.
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Last Time: 2-1 | Season: 25-12
Friday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres
Starting Pitchers: Roki Sasaki vs. Walker Buehler
Starting with a banger of a game between rivals and former Dodger Walker Buehler, the Padres host Los Angeles in what should be an exciting game. Roki Sasaki takes the bump for the Dodgers, and the righty has been solid with a 2.08 first-inning ERA. Across his 13 starts, he's only allowed runs in the opening frame twice.
It also helps that San Diego has the highest NRFI rate in baseball. Buehler goes for the Padres, and he's hit his groove, pitching to a 2.40 ERA in the first inning. Of course, Shohei Ohtani is dangerous, but get past him, and it’s relatively smooth sailing. All signs point to a clean first inning, but you're getting the Ohtani price bump here, so the odds aren't terrible.
Play: NRFI (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
Athletics vs. Los Angeles Angels
Starting Pitchers: J.T. Ginn vs. Walbert Urena
Staying out West, the other Los Angeles team hosts the Athletics with two solid pitchers on the mound. Walbert Urena goes for the Angels, and he's been exceptional at home with a 1.85 ERA while limiting opponents to a .168 batting average against him. He's even better in the first inning with a 1.50 ERA across his 12 starts.
J.T. Ginn counters for the Athletics, and the righty has performed better on the road with a 1.99 ERA. It makes sense considering where the A's are playing their home games, but his 2.57 ERA still shines as well.
Offensively, the Athletics rank fourth, and the Angels rank ninth when it comes to first-inning runs scored per game, which is pretty good. But the top of the order for the Angels has gone a combined 6-for-28 against Ginn, while the Athletics’ expected top three haven't fared much better against Urena, going a combined 2-for-11. I'm surprised this isn't a more juiced line.
Play: NRFI (-118 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Starting Pitchers: Zac Gallen vs. Nick Martinez
We couldn't go without getting a little spicy now, could we? Nick Martinez starts for Tampa Bay, and he's been on fire in the early innings, allowing just one first-inning run in his 15 starts. Opponents have only recorded a .495 OPS off him in the opening frame, and he gets home-field advantage.
Zac Gallen, meanwhile, has the exact opposite splits, owning a 6.98 road ERA with opponents tallying a .975 OPS. In the first inning, he owns a 6.75 ERA, allowing 25 hits in his 16 starts. If you want to keep it simple, go with the Yes Runs First Inning (YRFI). But if that happens, it's because the Rays scored, and that's exactly what I expect them to do.
Play: Rays First-Inning Moneyline (+265 at BetRivers)
