The Major League Baseball season churns ahead on Saturday, and we have a full 15-game slate to navigate from a betting perspective. I'm locking in a few quick-hitting MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks to get some skin in the game. Here are my top NRFI bets for Saturday, June 27th.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Saturday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Cincinnati Reds (-116) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (-102) | O/U 7.5 (-115/-105)
Starting Pitchers: Chase Burns vs. Jared Jones
I'm getting my day started in the Steel City, where we have an intriguing pitching matchup between Chase Burns (2.00 ERA) and Jared Jones (5.75 ERA). I'm taking the NRFI in this divisional showdown.
Jones has struggled this season, but this could be a good spot for him to right the ship in front of his home fans. The right-hander faces a Reds offense that's struggling, ranking 28th in wOBA (.269), 27th in ISO (.114) and second in strikeout rate (29.5%) over the last seven days.
Cincinnati is also the eighth-best NRFI team this season at 41-38 (52%), and they've cashed four straight NRFIs heading into the weekend.
On the flip side, what really needs to be said about Burns and his incredible 2026 campaign? He's third in ERA (2.00), while ranking 13th in strikeouts (102) and 14th in WHIP (1.05). Pittsburgh's current roster is just a measly 2-for-27 (.054) against Burns, so I'm expecting another strong start from the 23-year-old. Let's play the NRFI.
Bet: NRFI (-154)
Seattle Mariners (-148) vs. Cleveland Guardians (+126) | O/U 7.5 (-115/-105)
Starting Pitchers: Logan Gilbert vs. Slade Cecconi
I'll be on the NRFI in this American League clash between two pitching-first organizations. On Saturday, we'll have a decent starting matchup between Logan Gilbert (3.29 ERA) and Slade Cecconi (4.48 ERA).
Cecconi may be finding his top-level form, as the right-hander has logged an impressive 2.38 ERA in 22.2 innings this month. He has favorable numbers against Seattle's key hitters, including holding Cal Raleigh (0-for-5), Julio Rodriguez (0-for-5) and Josh Naylor (0-for-3) hitless over 13 head-to-head at-bats.
Meanwhile, Gilbert continues to be a stable arm in Seattle's starting rotation. He should thrive on Saturday evening, as he has limited Cleveland's current roster to a slash line of .208/.208/.417 over 48 at-bats. The Guardians are the third-best NRFI team in baseball (46-35, 57%), and they've hit the prop bet in three consecutive outings.
Bet: NRFI (-140)
Athletics (-104) vs. Los Angeles Angels (-112) | O/U 8.5 (-110/-110)
Starting Pitchers: Jack Perkins vs. Reid Detmers
I'll flip the script and take the Yes Runs First Inning (YRFI) side to close out my betting card on Saturday. There should be no shortage of offense in this American League West meeting, which pits Jack Perkins (6.26 ERA) against Reid Detmers (3.93 ERA).
These teams just met in Sacramento last week, combining for 51 runs across a four-game series. Detmers pitched in that series, and while he lasted six frames, he was pounded for five earned runs on six hits and four walks.
The Athletics' big boppers of Henry Bolte (2-for-6), Nick Kurtz (3-for-6), Shea Langeliers (0-for-5) and Tyler Soderstrom (2-for-6) are a combined 7-for-23 (.304) versus Detmers.
As for Perkins, he conceded four earned runs over five innings in his last start against the Angels. The right-hander has tossed 18 innings this month, posting an ugly 7.50 ERA. Considering the Angels are fifth in wOBA (.351) and second in ISO (.214) over the last week, I'd say they're poised to light up the scoreboard in Anaheim. Take the YRFI in Saturday's MLB nightcap.
Bet: YRFI (-118)
