We have another elite weekend of sports on the horizon, including the World Cup, a UFC event in Las Vegas, the College World Series and, of course, a loaded weekend of Major League Baseball. I'm keeping it on the professional diamond in this article, where I'm narrowing in on a few quick-hitting MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks.
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Saturday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Milwaukee Brewers (+118) vs. Atlanta Braves (-138) | O/U 7.5 (-114/-106)
Starting Pitchers: Kyle Harrison vs. Chris Sale
I'm starting my NRFI bets off with a play in the Brewers versus Braves game in Atlanta. This game will feature two potent offenses and two top-tier pitchers.
First, we'll be leaning on Chris Sale, who's putting together another monster season with the fifth-best ERA (2.30) and 15th-best WHIP (1.05) in 2026.
If Sale can work around Jackson Chourio, who's 4-for-9 (.444) against him, then we should be looking good. The other key Milwaukee hitters of Christian Yelich (1-for-7), Andrew Vaughn (1-for-4) and Brice Turang (0-for-1) are a combined 2-for-12 (.167) against the southpaw.
Kyle Harrison will counter Sale. He has been sharp this season with a 2.47 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Harrison takes on an Atlanta offense that has arguably been the worst in the league recently, ranking last in wOBA (.277) and 29th in ISO (.117) over the last seven days. Additionally, Matt Olson (0-for-3) and Mauricio Dubon (0-for-2) are hitless against Harrison.
Bet: NRFI (-130)
New York Mets (+152) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (-180) | O/U 7.5 (-112/-108)
Starting Pitchers: Freddy Peralta vs. Cristopher Sanchez
This four-game divisional series in City of Brotherly Love continues on Saturday, and we have another great pitching matchup between Freddy Peralta (3.90 ERA) and Cristopher Sanchez (1.82 ERA).
Sanchez has been dominant in 2026, ranking second in ERA and second in strikeouts (116). He has allowed two or fewer earned runs in eight of his last nine outings.
New York's big boppers of Bo Bichette (1-for-9) and Juan Soto (5-for-14) are a combined 6-for-23 (.261) against the lefty. Considering Sanchez hasn't allowed a home run to Soto, and adding in his spectacular form, I think he'll keep a clean first frame.
Peralta hasn't been as masterful in his debut campaign with the Mets, but he has absolutely terrorized the Phillies in the past. Their current roster is slashing a measly .155/.268/.393 against him over 84 at-bats. Trea Turner (1-for-16), Kyle Schwarber (3-for-15) and Bryce Harper (3-for-14) are a combined 7-for-45 (.156) versus Peralta.
Bet: NRFI (-138)
Minnesota Twins (+142) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (-168) | O/U 8.5 (-115/-105)
Starting Pitchers: Taj Bradley vs. Zac Gallen
I'll wrap up my card in The Valley, where I'm flipping and taking the Yes Runs First Inning (YRFI) side. The Diamondbacks will host the Twins in an Interleague series this weekend. Taj Bradley (4.14 ERA) and Zac Gallen (5.35 ERA) get the nod in Saturday's contest.
I don't know what's going on with Gallen, but the 30-year-old has fallen quickly from his status as an ace. He has the 60th-best ERA among qualified pitchers, while ranking 61st in WHIP (1.53). Gallen will be tasked with taking on a red-hot Minnesota offense, which ranks first in wOBA (.405) and ISO (.283) across the last seven days.
I have been waiting for the Bradley regression to come, and it's finally here. The right-hander has now allowed at least four earned runs in his last four starts, posting a 7.78 ERA during the stretch (19.2 innings).
While Arizona's offense is flailing at the moment, its current roster is 8-for-26 (.308) against Bradley with a monstrous 1.110 OPS. This could be the weekend the Snakes get back on track offensively. Let's take the YRFI.
Bet: YRFI (-136)
