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.
If you followed my advice on the Yankees first-inning Moneyline, that was a nice plus-money bet to hit. Let's dive into some games for Friday, September 11th.
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Friday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
Last Time: 1-1 | Season: 41-27 | Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Starting Pitchers: Chris Bassitt vs. Max Scherzer
Starting off the day, we have a battle between American League East foes as both teams battle for a Wild Card spot. Chris Bassitt goes for the Orioles, and he's been fine in the opening frame with around a 4.00 ERA. He did face the Blue Jays once already this season, spinning six innings while letting up just one run. Max Scherzer gets the nod for Toronto, and he's been really heating up with a 3.62 ERA in August.
What really stands out to me is the offenses. No team has scored fewer first-inning runs this season than the Toronto Blue Jays. Bassitt has a relatively good history against the batters at the top of the Jays lineup and has already done well against them once this season. Baltimore, meanwhile, ranks tied for third in NRFI this season. On the road, I always knock down the offense a bit. I'll take the coin flip here and back the NRFI side.
Play: NRFI (-110)
Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Starting Pitchers: Ethan Pecko vs. Drew Rasmussen
Next up, we have another American League battle between two divisional leaders trying to hold on to their three-game leads. Drew Rasmussen gets the start for Tampa Bay, and the righty has been excellent with a 2.88 ERA on the season and a 1.89 ERA in his last three starts. More importantly, he's held opponents to a .608 OPS in the opening frame and gets the home-field boost.
Ethan Pecko will get the start for Houston, and despite it being his fifth career start, he hasn't allowed a first-inning run in three of his first four openings. Surprisingly, Tampa Bay ranks sixth in NRFI rate and 21st in first runs scored, so I'm not as scared about their offense putting up numbers in the opening frame. This is another case where there's some value on the NRFI streets, especially with Rasmussen on one side.
Play: NRFI (-120)
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves
Starting Pitchers: Aaron Nola vs. Chris Sale
For another inter-divisional battle that will impact playoff standings, the Phillies are traveling south to take on the Braves. Spoiler alert: I'm keeping things boring this time by taking another NRFI. Aaron Nola has been playing well, coming off a start in which he allowed just one run in seven innings and spinning a 2.65 ERA in August. His first-inning ERA is a respectable 3.41 in 29 starts, and the Braves’ offense has scored the eighth-fewest first-inning runs.
Chris Sale is Chris Sale, which is why I'm shocked the odds aren't more juiced to the NRFI side here. The southpaw not only owns a 1.45 home ERA but an even better 1.08 first-inning ERA in 25 starts. He's also faced Philly three times this season, allowing three runs over 19 innings. I'm smashing the NRFI.
Play: NRFI (-120)
