MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Sunday (5/21)
The MLB offers up a stacked 16-game slate on Sunday, with the extra game coming due to a rainout between the Guardians and Mets on Saturday. The two sides will play one game at 1:40 p.m. ET and reconvene for a second on ESPN for Sunday Night Baseball.
Below Iâve listed my top three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) plays for todayâs action! Letâs close out the weekend with some winners.
MLB YTD: 33-50 (+12.07 Units)
Sundayâs Best No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The Cubs and Phillies are set for a rubber match in the City of Brotherly Love this afternoon. Neither game has been close as Chicago pummeled Philadelphia 10-1 in the opener, while the Fightinâ Phils bounced back with a 12-3 win yesterday. First pitch for the finale is set for 1:35 p.m. ET from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA.
Taijuan Walker gets the nod for the Phillies as he gears up to make his 10th start of the season. The right-hander comes into this one at 3-2 with a 6.53 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 41.1 innings pitched. However, heâs been slightly better at home, bringing those numbers down to 4.91 and 1.23, respectively. Walker will face a Cubs team thatâs slashing .245/.310/.302 against him over 53 at-bats. Just three of their 13 hits have been for extra bases, all doubles. Most importantly, the big guns of Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, and Ian Happ are a combined 3-18 (.167) against him.
As for Steele, heâs been sharp this year and enters with a 6-1 record, 2.44 ERA, and 1.03 WHIP. The current Philadelphia roster is 7-27 (.259) against him, with two home runs and two doubles. However, theyâve struggled overall against left-handers this year as theyâre just 23rd in both team batting average (.237) and OPS (.690). With Steeleâs current form, I think he can keep a clean first frame.
Bet: No Runs First Inning (-110)
Seattle Mariners vs. Atlanta Braves
Seattle got back in the win column with a 7-3 victory over Atlanta last night, making todayâs game a rubber match in Atlanta. The Mariners will turn to George Kirby, while the Braves opt for Jared Shuster. This interleague showdown is slated for 1:35 p.m. ET from Truist Park in Atlanta, GA.
Shuster hasnât found success over the first three starts of his Major League career. The southpaw is currently 0-2 with a 7.24 ERA and 1.90 WHIP over 13.2 innings pitched. But heâll have a favorable matchup against a Mariners team that has been horrendous against lefties this year. The Mâs are just 28th in team batting average (.219) and 27th in OPS (.660) against LHP.
Kirby, on the other hand, comes into the finale at 5-2 with a 2.45 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. This right-hander continues to develop into a high-end arm. Itâs simply the head-to-head numbers that make me comfortable backing Kirby against this vaunted Braves lineup. Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley are a combined 0-8 (.000) against him. In fact, the team as a whole is just 5-23 (.217), and all five hits are singles from Sean Murphy (5-9, .556). NRFI is the play here.
Bet: No Runs First Inning (-105)
Miami Marlins vs. San Francisco Giants
Runs have been at a premium this series as the Giants won 4-3 on Friday while the Marlins took game two 1-0 on Saturday. Hopefully, we cruise to an NRFI like yesterdayâs matchup between Braxton Garrett and Logan Webb. This National League clash is slated for 4:05 p.m. ET from Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA.
Alex Wood gets the nod today, making his sixth start of the 2023 campaign. The left-hander is 0-0 with a 2.87 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Heâs excelled in two home starts this season, posting a 1.93 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 9.1 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting just .152 against him at Oracle. Wood also has great head-to-head numbers, where the Fish are slashing .186/.230/.271 against him over 70 at-bats.
As for Luzardo, heâs been a very serviceable option for Miami this year. The left-hander is 3-2 with a 3.16 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. Heâs posted two consecutive quality starts, holding the Diamondbacks and Nationals to two runs over 12.0 innings of work. Aside from Wilmer Flores, who is 5-8 (.625) with five singles, there isnât much of a threat in this Giants lineup in terms of head-to-head matchups. The roster as a whole is 7-27 (.259), which means just 2-19 (.105), excluding Flores. As long as Flores doesnât go yard, I feel comfortable locking in NRFI here.
Bet: No Runs First Inning (-130)
Also make sure to check out our other best bets for Sunday:
- NBA Playoffs Player Prop Odds, Picks & Predictions
- WNBA Best Bets, Picks & Predictions
- NHL Playoffs Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions
- MLB Player Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions
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