MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Sunday (8/27)

The MLB weekend wraps up this afternoon, and we have a stacked slate of games on the horizon. Let's waste no time and dive into my top three plays on the best prop bet in the game: the NRFI (No Runs First Inning). Here's who I'm locking in to keep a scoreless first frame today. 

MLB YTD: 84-160 (-9.20 units)

Sunday's Best No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Houston Astros vs. Detroit Tigers

The Astros snapped their three-game losing streak last night, defeating the Tigers 9-2 in Motown. The win forced a rubber match, where we have a Sunday pitching matchup between Justin Verlander and Alex Faedo. First pitch is set for 1:40 p.m. ET from Comerica Park in Detroit, MI. 

While Faedo's 4.91 ERA might not make you too confident in backing him, the right-hander has been in solid form recently. In three starts this month, he owns a 2.87 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. If it weren't for his 1.75 HR/9 rate, we'd likely see his overall ERA dip a lot lower. Opponents are hitting just .195 against Faedo this season. I think it's worth a shot to back him against a struggling Houston squad.

On the flip side, I feel like we may get a vintage Justin Verlander performance against his former team. The right-hander comes into today's game at 9-6 and owns a 3.19 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. His task is taking on a Detroit roster that's ranked 28th in team batting average (.235) and 29th in OPS (.680). It's worth noting that the Tigers are the fifth-worst team in terms of first-inning scoring, plating a run just 25% of the time. 

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-105)

Oakland Athletics vs. Chicago White Sox 

The White Sox got back in the win column last night, beating the Athletics 6-2 on the Southside. They'll try to salvage a series split as they turn to Mike Clevinger this afternoon. Oakland counters with Paul Blackburn in this American League matchup set for 2:10 p.m. ET from Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, IL.

Aside from some injury issues, Clevinger is actually putting together a solid season for the Sox. The right-hander enters this game at 5-6 and owns a 3.47 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. I think he'll mow down this Oakland offense that's ranked dead last in both team batting average (.224) and OPS (.669). The A's are scoring in the first inning at a rate of 28.7%, which is the 12th-lowest mark in the league. 

The White Sox are the seventh-lowest team in that category, plating runs in just 27.1% of their first innings. Chicago will face off against Paul Blackburn, who owns a 2.19 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in four starts this month. Like the A's, the White Sox have one of the worst offenses in the MLB. They're just 22nd in team batting average (.239) and 28th in OPS (.685). At just -105, I think the NRFI is the right play in this spot. 

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-105)

San Diego Padres vs. Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers are heating up, and they'll go for the sweep against the Padres this afternoon. Milwaukee won last night's game 5-4, extending their winning streak to seven games. Today's pitching matchup features a battle between Michael Wacha and Adrian Houser. This National League tilt gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET from American Family Field in Milwaukee, WI. 

Houser has been a consistent option for the Crew this year, posting a 4.28 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. But I really like backing him in this spot for his head-to-head numbers against San Diego. The big guns of Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Juan Soto, and Ha-Seong Kim are just a combined 2-24 (.083) against the right-hander. Look for Houser to limit this underwhelming Padres lineup early on. 

As for Wacha, he's putting together a great year as he enters at 10-2 with a 2.63 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. In his last three starts, the right-hander has allowed just two earned runs over 15.1 innings of work. Going back even further, Wacha has surrendered just four total runs in his last 34.0 innings pitched. He'll take on a Milwaukee side that's 27th in team batting average (.235) and 25th in OPS (.694). Let's lock in the NRFI in Milwaukee this afternoon.

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-105)