The 2026 MLB season rolls on as the playoffs are right around the corner. Thursday brings us a nine-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)
Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets
Starting Pitchers: Aaron Nola vs. Nolan McLean
Let's lead off our MLB NRFI picks with the Phillies taking on the Mets in a National League East matchup. Aaron Nola starts for Philadelphia, while Nolan McLean toes the rubber for New York. Both pitchers should combine for a scoreless first inning.
Nola has been pitching very well lately. The right-hander owns a 2.38 ERA over his last nine starts and a 1.98 ERA over his past six outings. The Phillies veteran has turned things around after a rough start to the season, and he's throwing with more confidence.
Nola has tossed a scoreless opening frame in 21 of his 30 starts so far this season (70%). He's also allowing just a .219 batting average in the first inning. Plus, he brings a respectable 11-5 NRFI record on the road. Nola will face a Mets' first-inning offense that's been league-average this season.
On the other side, McLean has also been pitching well over the past two months. The Mets righty boasts a 2.48 ERA over his last 11 starts, including a 2.25 ERA across his past six outings. He owns a solid 19-9 NRFI record this season (68%), with a 10-5 NRFI mark at home.
More notably, McLean gets a favorable first-inning matchup despite Philadelphia's top-of-the-order threats. In September, the Phillies are batting just .171 in the first inning, ranking 28th in the Majors. They're also hitting just .216 in the opening frame over the past month.
Pick: NRFI (-108)
Minnesota Twins vs. Los Angeles Angels
Starting Pitchers: Taj Bradley vs. Walbert Urena
Our second NRFI pick today features the Angels hosting the Twins in a late-night tilt. It'll be Taj Bradley on the mound for Minnesota, while Walbert Urena starts for Los Angeles. The NRFI is the play here, with the numbers pointing in that direction.
Urena has an impressive 2.88 ERA this season, including a 2.89 ERA over 10 starts since the All-Star break. More importantly, the Angels right-hander has been excellent in the first inning. He boasts a 22-3 NRFI record with just a .151 batting average allowed in the opening frame.
Let's continue to ride Urena, at least in the first inning. He also owns a perfect 14-0 NRFI record at home thus far. The Twins, meanwhile, have just a .200 first-inning batting average on the road since the start of August.
Bradley, on the other hand, isn't as trustworthy. The Twins righty has a shaky 17-12 NRFI record this season, including a poor 6-10 NRFI mark on the road. However, he gets a favorable first-inning matchup. The Angels are batting .213 with a 32.7% strikeout rate in the opening frame during September.
Pick: NRFI (-122)
