Welcome to another beautiful day as we are officially into the second half of the baseball season. 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 got back in the green last time out, and I plan on repeating the results today. Let's dive into some games and our top MLB NRFI picks for today’s slate.
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Friday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
Last Time: 2-0 | Season: 33-15
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves
Starting Pitchers: Foster Griffin vs. Bryce Elder
To start the day, we have a battle between inter-divisional rivals as the Nationals head to Atlanta to face the Braves. Despite the record differentials and home-field advantage, the Moneyline is around -110 for Atlanta. That's because Foster Griffin is starting for Washington. The southpaw owns a 2.76 ERA this year, and it's a 2.10 across July. It’s even better in the first inning: 1.71.
On the other side, Bryce Elder has done a solid job, with a 3.31 ERA. He’s faced Washington twice already this season, holding them to four earned runs over 12.2 innings.
I'm kind of confused by the coin flip odds on the NRFI here. Yes, the Nationals are one of the best teams at scoring early, but both pitchers have combined for 16 straight NRFI results. This won't be an easy battle for the offenses, and I expect both of them to start quietly.
Play: NRFI (+104 at BetRivers)
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds
Starting Pitchers: Paul Skenes vs. Hunter Greene
Another number that surprises me, but on the other side, is what we have here in another inter-divisional matchup between the Pirates and the Reds.
Paul Skenes takes the bump for Pittsburgh. In all honesty, he hasn't looked the same of late. He owns a 5.53 ERA throughout the month of July, allowing a .280 batting average. His first-run ERA is at 4.57. In two starts against the Reds this season, he's allowed five runs in 10 innings. He's not invincible as he once was.
Hunter Greene, on the other hand, with only four starts under his belt, has been abysmal. His ERA has ballooned to 7.06 with a first run allowed in three of his four starts this year. Neither offense is particularly scary, but it is shocking how you can bet on the Yes Runs First Inning (YRFI) at such solid odds.
Play: YRFI (+125 at bet365)
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Starting Pitchers: Kyle Leahy vs. Dylan Cease
Keeping it simple, we may be going a bit more juiced on the line here, but I still see some value. Kyle Leahy of the Cardinals has been dominant of late with a 1.15 ERA over his last six starts. To go along with it, he's only given up a run in four of his 20 starts to open the game and has limited opponents to a .552 OPS in the opening frame.
Dylan Cease has looked like his former self all year with a 2.46 ERA across 19 starts. In the first inning, that number sits at 2.84, and he's really turned it on of late with a 0.90 ERA over his last 30 innings. The line is juiced, but I'd be shocked if either team gets on the board early.
Play: NRFI (-130 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
