MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Sunday (10/1)
The MLB season wraps up this afternoon, and the postseason field is set. However, the A.L. West title is still up for grabs between the Rangers and Astros, and teams are still jockeying for Wild Card positioning. From a betting perspective, I'm focused solely on the first innings of today's game. Below, I've listed my top three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets for today.
Sunday's Best No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants
The Giants earned a 2-1 win against the Dodgers last night, evening the final series at one game apiece. Today's rubber match features a pitching matchup between Bobby Miller and Kyle Harrison. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET From Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA.
Miller has stepped into the Los Angeles rotation this season and has done a very serviceable job. The right-hander comes into this one at 11-4 with a 3.89 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. He has posted two consecutive quality starts, which translates to allowing just four earned runs over his last 13.0 innings pitched. San Francisco's current roster is slashing just .200/.304/.400 against him over 20 at-bats.
As for Harrison, he's 1-1 over six outings to start his MLB career, posting a 4.85 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. He just faced the Dodgers last Thursday, limiting them to two earned runs on three hits over 5.1 innings. The NRFI cashed in that matchup, and it has split the first two games of this series. I'll lay the juice here and say it hits again at the pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.
Bet: No Runs First Inning (-130)
Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers bounced back with an 8-0 win last night, knotting this series 1-1. This matinee rubber match sees Lucas Giolito take the ball for the Guardians while the Tigers counter with Eduardo Rodriguez. First pitch is slated for 2:10 p.m. ET from Comerica Park in Detroit, MI.
Giolito's tenure as a Guardian is off to a rough start, as he owns a 6.66 ERA and has allowed 10 home runs over five starts. While those aren't favorable numbers to anyone looking for lower-scoring games, the trends are on his side. Cleveland has seen the NRFI hit in four consecutive games, while Detroit is 4-1 to the NRFI over their last five.
As for Rodriguez, he has been in excellent form this season. He enters at 12-9 with a 3.40 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. The left-hander is coming off of a shutout performance against the Athletics on Sunday, where he allowed just five hits and four walks over 7.0 innings. Rodriguez has dominated Cleveland in the past, limiting them to a slash line of .183/.202/.305 over 82 at-bats.
Bet: No Runs First Inning (-130)
Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners
One of the few meaningful games today features an A.L. West matchup between the Rangers and Mariners. Texas can take the division simply by winning today, while a loss opens up the door for Houston to slide in and win the West. First pitch between the Rangers and Mariners is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Park in Seattle, WA.
Dane Dunning makes his final regular start for the Rangers today, while the Mariners opt for George Kirby. Dunning enters this contest at 12-6 and owns a 3.72 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. He's coming off of a shutout performance against the Angels on Wednesday, where he limited them to just three hits and a walk over 7.0 innings. The right-hander will square off against a Seattle squad that has seen the NRFI hit in 10 of their last 12 games.
Texas has been an NRFI team as well lately, seeing the prop bet cash in three straight and five of their last seven games. They'll turn to Kirby to close out the year, and the right-hander has posted two straight quality starts. He also sees his ERA dip to 2.89 at home, and he has limited opponents to a .216 batting average. I say this first frame ends scoreless.
Bet: No Runs First Inning (-125)
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