Welcome to another beautiful day as we are nearing the All-Star break. Let's bet on 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 had another winning week last time out and have been hot all year. Let's do it again and dive into some games.
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Friday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
Last Time: 2-1 | Season: 30-13
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds
Starting Pitchers: Shota Imanaga vs. Hunter Greene
We open in Cincinnati, where two National League Central squads go to battle. Shota Imanaga has been having a bit of a down year for the Cubs with a 4.28 ERA. Of late, he's been a bit better, but he has still struggled in the opening frame. In his 18 starts, he's allowed 11 runs in the first inning, good for a 5.50 ERA. The Reds are also a top-10 team in first-inning runs this season.
On the other side, Hunter Greene is making his second start of the season, and the first wasn't exactly a great effort. He gave up eight runs over 3.1 innings, including three runs in the first. I don't love finding minus odds for the yes runs first inning (YRFI) side, but I'd still toss this up as a coin flip.
If you want to take the over on runs scored, I'd support that as well. And remember to shop around for the best odds.
Play: YRFI (-108 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Starting Pitchers: Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Shohei Ohtani
Last time out, I trusted Shohei Ohtani to limit runs in the opening frame. It backfired. So we're going right back to the well. Eduardo Rodriguez has been elite this season with a 2.25 ERA. He's limited opponents to a .645 OPS. He's also been solid against the Dodgers this season with a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings against Los Angeles in two starts.
Ohtani has obviously been elite as well, with his 1.79 ERA and .519 OPS against. In the first inning, he's allowed one run in his 14 starts, with opponents only hitting .430 against him in the opening frame. The Diamondbacks rank 22nd in first-inning runs scored. Of course, the Dodgers scoring early is always a worry, but I expect Rodriguez to tame them and pitch a scoreless inning.
Play: NRFI (-107 at BetRivers)
Seattle Mariners vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Starting Pitchers: Luis Castillo vs. Nick Martinez
Finally, tonight we have a cross-country battle between the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays. Nick Martinez takes the bump for the home team. He's been rocking a 2.61 ERA this season. In the first inning, he's been even better, with just two runs allowed in the opening frame across his 17 starts.
Luis Castillo has been just as valuable to start the game, with a 3.21 ERA in the first inning, allowing just a .185 opponents’ batting average and .588 OPS. It also helps that the starters have a good history against the top of each respective lineup. Either way, the juice should be higher here, and it isn't, so I'm jumping on this NRFI line.
Play: NRFI (-113 at BetRivers)
