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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Sunday (8/6)

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The MLB weekend comes to a close this evening, and things are really starting to heat up around the league. We have a full slate of action today, and I'm taking it to the prop sheet, where I've narrowed in on three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) plays. Here's where I'm laying my money today:

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

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians

Perhaps the biggest news coming out of last night's A.L. Central clash between the White Sox and Guardians was a brawl between Jose Ramirez and Tim Anderson. Chicago would go on to win the game 7-4, forcing a rubber match this afternoon. First pitch for the finale is set for 12:05 p.m. ET from Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. 

The pitching matchup pits Jesse Scholtens against Xzavion Curry. Scholtens has been a reliable option for the Sox since he took on a bigger role with the pitching staff. The right-hander comes into this one at 1-4 with a 3.07 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. He has allowed just one earned run over his last two outings, spanning 7.0 innings of work. One of those was a scoreless frame against Cleveland back on July 29th.

As for Curry, he has dominated the White Sox in his career, limiting the current roster to a slash line of .182/.280/.409 over 22 at-bats. Furthermore, the right-hander has posted a 1.65 ERA over his last eight outings (14.2 IP). Finally, Curry's ERA dips to 2.48 at Progressive, and opponents are hitting just .217 against him there. I think we're in for a scoreless first inning today.

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-105)

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers

The Pirates dropped last night's game, and they'll attempt to salvage a four-game series split today against the Brewers. This pitching matchup features a clash between Johan Oviedo and Brandon Woodruff. First pitch is set for 2:10 p.m. ET from American Family Field in Milwaukee, WI.

While Oviedo enters at just 5-11 with a 4.42 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, he has been solid recently. The right-hander has two consecutive quality starts and has allowed just two earned runs over those 13.0 innings pitched. Look for Oviedo to turn in a decent outing against a Milwaukee side that's one of the worst in the league in terms of offense. They're just 27th in team batting average (.234) and 26th in OPS (.690). 

Woodruff has made a career of owning the Pirates. The current roster is slashing just .186/.238/.271 against him over 59 career at-bats. This will be the right-hander's first start coming off of the IL, but he'll have a favorable matchup against a lousy Pittsburgh offense. They're 26th in team batting average (.236) and 24th in OPS (.697). Let's ride with the NRFI in this spot.

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-120)

San Francisco Giants vs. Oakland Athletics

Finally, let's head out to the Bay Bridge Series, where the Athletics are looking to break out the brooms in a two-game set with the Giants. This one is set for 4:07 p.m. ET from the Oakland Coliseum, and we have a pitching matchup between Alex Cobb and Luis Medina. 

Cobb has developed into a top-end starter for the Giants as he's 6-2 and owns a 3.05 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. The right-hander has a pair of quality starts in his last two outings, and one of those was a 6.0-inning scoreless effort against Oakland on July 25th. Speaking of the head-to-head matchups, the Athletics are slashing .167/.189/.222 against him over 36 at-bats. 

Medina did not pitch in the series earlier this year, so we do not have any head-to-head data for this matchup. However, the right-hander has been in solid form, posting a 2.86 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 22.0 innings in July. Medina is tasked with taking on a San Francisco offense that's ranked dead last in both team batting average (.207) and OPS (.614) over the last 15 days. Neither offense is in great form, so I'll lay the juice with the NRFI in this rivalry tilt. 

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-135)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Sunday:

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