MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Sunday (6/18)
The weekend rounds out with a 16-game slate in the MLB today. The extra game is due to a rainout in Boston yesterday, so the Yankees and Red Sox will play a doubleheader.
There are a ton of different betting options on the board today, but I'm narrowing in on one of the most exciting props available - the NRFI. Let's dive into my top three No Runs First Inning bets for today.
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Sunday's Best No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals
The Marlins are looking to break out the brooms this afternoon, and they'll turn to Jesus Luzardo to try and get the win. The Nationals counter with Patrick Corbin in this divisional clash scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET from Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
Corbin has been a decent option for the Nationals this year, and he comes into this game at 4-7 with a 4.81 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 14 starts. It's all about the head-to-head stats with the Southpaw. He has limited the current Miami roster to a slash line of .212/.257/.384 over 99 at-bats. That includes the big guns of Jorge Soler and Luis Arraez, who are a combined 2-16 (.125).
As for Luzardo, he enters this game at 5-5 with a 4.17 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. The current Washington roster is slashing .263/.300/.474 against the left-hander. So, while those aren't spectacular numbers, this still feels like a spot where he can keep a clean first inning. The Marlins are one of the best teams in the league in the NRFI category, and they've seen scoreless first innings in 10 of their last 13 games.
Bet: No Runs First Inning (-110)
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers
We have a rubber match in Arlington this afternoon as the Blue Jays take on the Rangers in the series finale. The pitching matchup is a great one as Toronto goes with Chris Bassitt while Texas counters with Jon Gray. First pitch is scheduled for 2:35 p.m. ET from Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.
Obviously, these are two of the best offenses in baseball, but I think runs may be tough to come by in this game. Bassitt has great head-to-head numbers against the Rangers, as they're slashing just .122/.218/.122 against him over 49 at-bats. That's six hits, and none of them have gone for extra bases.
On the flip side, Gray has been tremendous this season and comes into today's action at 6-2 with a 2.32 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. The right-hander has allowed just three earned runs over his last five starts, spanning 36.0 innings. Furthermore, the Jays are slashing just .194/.293/.306 against him over 36 at-bats. I think both of these pitchers are going to be dialed in and keep a scoreless first inning.
Bet: No Runs First Inning (-115)
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Oakland Athletics
It appears the Athletics have come back down to earth as they've dropped their last four games after ripping off a seven-game win streak last week. They'll turn to Hogan Harris this afternoon as they attempt to avoid the sweep at the hands of the Phillies. Philadelphia opts for Zack Wheeler in this interleague matchup scheduled for 4:07 p.m. ET from the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.
Harris is set to make just his second career start this afternoon, and he's coming off of a winning effort against the Rays last time out. The Southpaw limited the powerful Tampa lineup to just one earned run on four hits over 7.0 innings. If he pitches anywhere near that level today, we should be just fine with the NRFI. It's also worth noting that the A's have seen scoreless first innings in eight straight games.
Wheeler has been solid this season and comes in at 5-4 with a 3.73 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. His task today is to take on an Oakland team that's dead last in both team batting average (.222) and OPS (.656). Considering he's in great form after giving up just one earned run over his last two starts (13.1 IP), I think he'll turn in an excellent outing. Let's lock in No Runs First Inning in the Bay.
Bet: No Runs First Inning (-145)
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