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 took a step back last time out, but are still well in the green on the season. Let's dive into today’s games.
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Friday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
Last Time: 0-3 | Season: 37-20
Chicago Cubs vs. Seattle Mariners
Starting Pitchers: Matthew Boyd vs. Emerson Hancock
Starting out West with the game to end the day, the Chicago Cubs head to T-Mobile Park, where the Seattle Mariners are the hosts. The Cubs have been on fire offensively of late, but I think they can be quelled in the opening frame tonight.
Emerson Hancock takes the bump for the Mariners, and his first-inning ERA is 1.96. He's pitched better at home, and he's limited lefties more than righties, so I don't think Pete Crow-Armstrong should hit another leadoff home run tonight.
On the other side, Matthew Boyd starts for Chicago, and he's been electric away from home with a 2.57 ERA. He's limited opponents to zero runs in 11 of his 15 starts and owns a 3.25 ERA in his last 10 starts.
The Mariners rank 26th in first-inning runs while the Cubs are 18th. With all that, I expected the NRFI to be way more juiced, so I will happily take minimal juice here.
Play: NRFI (-120 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins
Starting Pitchers: Brad Lord vs. Ryan Gusto
This matchup pits divisional opponents against each other, with the Marlins hosting the Nationals. Ryan Gusto and his 4.09 first-inning ERA will start for the Marlins. He allowed three runs in two innings of relief against Washington earlier this season.
The Nationals rank first in first-inning runs scored with 89 across the season. Brad Lord starts for Washington. He has a 6.23 ERA in his last three starts. He also has a 6.75 first-inning ERA. Basically, I'd highly expect a run to be scored in the opening frame. The Yes Runs First Inning (YRFI) is a little juiced, but I'm still happy with it.
Play: YRFI (-114 at BetRivers)
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles
Starting Pitchers: Freddy Peralta vs. Trevor Rogers
Finally, tonight we have two American League East foes going toe-to-toe. Freddy Peralta starts for the Rays, and he's limited opponents to zero first-inning runs in 17 of his 25 starts. Baltimore's offense has taken a step back, too, ranking 20th in first-inning runs. Peralta's 3.96 first-inning ERA is solid, and he's on a solid streak of scoreless first innings.
Who's even better is Trevor Rogers with 14 straight starts of holding opponents’ offenses to a goose egg in the opening frame. Tampa's offense is a bit more dangerous but still only ranks 18th in first-inning runs. That's enough for me to be happy betting on the NRFI.
Play: NRFI (-111 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
