The 2026 MLB season rolls on with the trade deadline in the rearview. Thursday brings a stacked 11-game slate, with games running all afternoon and into the night. Let's dive into the top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks to lock in before the games get going.
If you’re unfamiliar with NRFI bets, here’s a quick explanation: We’re simply betting that neither team will score a run in the first inning. That means we have a 0-0 score after both teams bat in the opening frame. Conversely, you can also bet on the YRFI (Yes Runs First Inning) side. Without further ado, let’s jump into today’s best MLB NRFI picks.
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Thursday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals
Starting Pitchers: Bailey Ober vs. Michael Wacha
Let's lead off our MLB NRFI picks with an AL Central matchup between the Twins and Royals. We have Bailey Ober starting for Minnesota, while Michael Wacha toes the rubber for Kansas City. Both pitchers bring in strong first-inning numbers to trust in this divisional showdown.
Michael Wacha brings in a strong 17-4 NRFI record this season (81%). This continues an encouraging trend for the veteran right-hander. He posted a 27-4 NRFI mark last year (87%) and owns an 80% NRFI rate over the past four seasons combined. The Royals' starter also boasts a career 73.5% scoreless rate in his first innings.
Count on Wacha to keep it going in today's matchup. The Twins rank 25th in the Majors in first-inning batting average this season. They're also hitting just .210 against righties in the opening frame, which ranks 28th in the league. Plus, Minnesota has a poor .138 batting average and .222 wOBA in the first inning since the All-Star break. Both marks are 29th in the MLB.
On the other side, Twins starter Bailey Ober has held opponents scoreless in the first inning in 12 of 16 starts this season (75%). He's allowing just a .207 batting average in the opening frame as well. Ober posted a 20-7 NRFI mark last year (74%), and he owns a career 74% NRFI rate as a starter.
Even on the road today, Ober can get through the first three outs unscathed. The Royals are batting just .180 in the first inning since the All-Star Break, which ranks 26th in the Majors. Plus, Ober has a solid 71% NRFI rate on the road throughout his career.
Pick: NRFI (-104)
Detroit Tigers vs. Seattle Mariners
Starting Pitchers: Framber Valdez vs. Bryce Miller
Our second NRFI pick today features the series finale between the Tigers and Mariners. In this matchup of AL playoff hopefuls, it'll be Framber Valdez starting for Detroit and Bryce Miller for Seattle. The NRFI is the way to go based on some key stats and trends.
Bryce Miller boasts a stellar 10-2 NRFI record this year (83%), while allowing just a .146 batting average in the first inning. The Mariners' right-hander also owns a 2.80 ERA and 0.92 WHIP on the season overall, including a 1.34 ERA at home.
Miller's first-inning success is nothing new. He posted a 14-4 NRFI mark last year (78%), a 26-5 NRFI record two seasons ago (84%), and owns a career 81% NRFI rate as a starter. Plus, Miller has now tossed a scoreless opening frame in 44 of his 45 career home starts. The Tigers bring in a strong first-inning offense, but Miller's NRFI dominance cannot be ignored, especially at home.
Meanwhile, Framber Valdez doesn't offer as much confidence. Detroit's left-hander has a 15-7 NRFI record this year (68%) and brings in a shaky 4.41 ERA overall. Still, this is the same pitcher who posted a 25-3 NRFI mark two seasons ago (89%) and has a career NRFI rate of 77% as a starter.
More notably, Valdez gets a favorable matchup. The Mariners are 27th in the MLB in first-inning runs scored this season. They're also 29th in first-inning batting average (.205). Plus, since the All-Star Break, Seattle is batting a league-worst .138 in the opening frame. Furthermore, Valdez boasts an 82% NRFI rate in day starts throughout his career.
Pick: NRFI (-128)
