MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Sunday (7/2)
The MLB weekend wraps up today and we have 15 games on the horizon. Action gets underway at 12:05 p.m. ET with a battle between the Twins and Orioles. All games lead to a Sunday Night Baseball showdown in Queens as the Mets host the Giants.
From a betting standpoint, I'm taking it to the prop sheet and narrowing in on my favorite prop bets: the NRFI. Here are my top three No Runs First Inning bets for today!
MLB YTD: 55-100 (+0.62 units)
Sunday's Best No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Miami Marlins vs. Atlanta Braves
The Marlins turn to reigning Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara as they attempt to avoid the sweep this afternoon. The Braves counter with Spencer Strider in this divisional clash scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET from Truist Park in Atlanta, GA.
Am I crazy? Maybe. Only a mad man would take a NRFI in a Braves game. Atlanta's offense has scored in the first inning in 43.9% of their games this year. However, on the flip side, Miami's lineup has gone scoreless in 83.3% of their first frames. Those are the highest marks for individual teams in the YRFI and NRFI categories, respectively.
The head-to-head numbers with Alcantara make it worth a shot here, in my opinion. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies have found success against the right-hander, going a combined 19-66 (.288). But Matt Olson and Austin Riley are just a combined 7-44 (.159). If Alcantara can work around those two at the top of the order, we have a great chance to come out of the first scoreless.
As for Strider, Miami as a whole is slashing just .156/.182/.188 against him over 32 at-bats. The right-hander has allowed just two earned runs over his last two starts, spanning 13.0 innings of work. All things considered, I think we buck the trend of Atlanta YRFIs and escape the first inning without a run.
Bet: No Runs First Inning (-120)
New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals
The Yankees and Cardinals split their doubleheader yesterday, which means we have a rubber match in St. Louis this afternoon. Gerrit Cole takes the ball for New York while St. Louis counters with Jordan Montgomery. First pitch is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. ET from Busch Stadium.
Both Cole and Montgomery are in fantastic form right now. Over five starts in June, Cole recorded four quality starts and posted a 2.40 ERA. Montgomery also went 4/5 in quality start opportunities and recorded a 1.71 ERA over 31.2 innings pitched.
Those numbers alone are enough for me to ride the NRFI here. But we have favorable head-to-head numbers here as well. The Yankees are slashing just .130/.231/.130 against Montgomery over 23 at-bats. Meanwhile, the Red Birds are slashing .194/.229/.403 against Cole over 67 at-bats. Let's play the NRFI in St. Louis.
Bet: No Runs First Inning (-125)
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Angels
The Diamondbacks are looking for a three-game sweep in Anaheim today and they'll turn to Zac Gallen to get them there. The Angels come back with Reid Detmers as they try to avoid the brooms. First pitch for this interleague series finale is set for 4:07 p.m. ET from Angel Stadium.
Arizona is third overall in first inning offense this year, having scored in 39.3% of their games. However, they'll take on Detmers this afternoon, and he has been on a tear recently. The southpaw posted a 2.05 ERA and 0.91 WHIP over five starts in June. Factor in that the budding Corbin Carroll may still be sidelined with a shoulder injury and we have a good chance to see the top of the first go scoreless.
On the other hand, the Angels have scored in 27.1% of their first at-bats this year, which is good enough for 23rd in the MLB. They won't have an easy task today as they square off against the Snakes' ace, Zac Gallen. The right-hander is 10-2 on the year with just a 3.09 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He also has a 9.3 K/9 rate, which should be helpful in case he runs into a jam early on. Let's ride with the NRFI in Anaheim.
Bet: No Runs First Inning (-110)
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