MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Saturday (7/18)
We have a solid sports Saturday ahead of us, with the MLB back in full swing, the World Cup's third-place match between France and England and a fun UFC card in Oklahoma City. I'm keeping it on the diamond in this article, where I've dialed in on three quick-hitting MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks. Let's dive in.
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Saturday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
St. Louis Cardinals (+100) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (-120) | O/U 9.0 (-101/-120)
Starting Pitchers: Dustin May vs. Brandon Pfaadt
The Cardinals (51-45) took care of business with a 5-4 victory over the Diamondbacks (49-48) on Friday night. The National League foes are back at it this afternoon, as Dustin May squares off against Brandon Pfaadt in an interesting pitching matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET from Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ.
I'll be on the NRFI in The Valley this afternoon. I haven't been very impressed with either of these offenses lately. Over the last 14 days, Arizona is just 18th in wOBA (.304), while St. Louis is 28th (.261).
Additionally, Pfaadt has limited the Cardinals' current roster to a slash line of .200/.234/.333 over 45 at-bats in the head-to-head department. As for May, he has held the Diamondbacks' big guns of Ketel Marte (2-for-13), Geraldo Perdomo (1-for-9) and Corbin Carroll (3-for-13) to a combined 6-for-35 (.171). At -105 odds, I love the NRFI in this Red Birds-Snakes matchup.
Bet: NRFI (-105)
Los Angeles Dodgers (-106) vs. New York Yankees (-113) | O/U 9.0 (-101/-119)
Starting Pitchers: Emmet Sheehan vs. Ryan Weathers
There wasn't much offense in New York last night, with the Dodgers (62-36) edging the Yankees (54-43) in a 2-1 affair. The oddsmakers don't expect that to be the case again tonight, setting a total of nine runs in this contest featuring a pitching matchup between Emmet Sheehan and Ryan Weathers. First pitch is set for 8:08 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY.
Neither of these potent offenses has been swinging the sticks well as of late. Across the last 14 days, the Yankees are 14th in wOBA (.319), while the Dodgers are 29th (.259). New York has the second-highest strikeout rate (28.8%) during the 14-day stretch.
And while neither Emmet Sheehan nor Ryan Weathers has been lights out this season, I think we could see each hurler turn in a solid outing tonight. Well, at least in the first frame. Ryan Weathers has performed well against the Dodgers' key hitters, holding Shohei Ohtani (1-for-8), Andy Pages (2-for-4), Freddie Freeman (5-for-10) and Mookie Betts (1-for-12) to a combined 9-for-34 (.265). If he can work around Freeman, we should have a good chance to cash this NRFI.
Bet: NRFI (-105)
Detroit Tigers (-198) vs. Los Angeles Angels (+163) | O/U 8.0 (-114/-105)
Starting Pitchers: Tarik Skubal vs. Grayson Rodriguez
Let's wrap up our card out West, where the Angels (38-60) are set to host the Tigers (45-52). Tarik Skubal gets the nod for Detroit, while Los Angeles counters with Grayson Rodriguez. The MLB nightcap is slated for 10:07 p.m. ET from Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA.
Anytime I can play an NRFI involving Tarik Skubal at just -130, I'm going to do so. The back-to-back American League Cy Young winner has looked sharp again in 2026, posting a 3.09 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. He'll face an Angels offense that's a mediocre 16th in wOBA (.308) over the last 14 days. Additionally, their current lineup is just 9-for-55 (.164) lifetime against Skubal.
The biggest question mark in regard to cashing this ticket will come in the top half of the inning. Grayson Rodriguez and his 7.55 ERA aren't exactly a pairing that I'm typically looking to get involved with. However, the right-hander has held Detroit's offense to a slash line of .147/.275/.206 over 34 at-bats in his career. The Tigers are the fourth-best NRFI team this season at 54-43 (65%). Let's close out the night with a scoreless first inning in the Tigers-Angels game.
Bet: NRFI (-130)