Every MLB team is in play today across 15 contests. There are ample games to pick from for the best MLB no runs first inning (NRFI) picks or MLB yes runs first inning (YRFI) picks.
Two NRFI wagers are the most compelling picks on today’s massive slate.
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Tuesday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All bets are for 1 unit
New York Yankees (-118) at Texas Rangers (+100) | O/U 7.5 (+100/-122)
Starting Pitchers: Cam Schlittler vs. Jacob deGrom
Cam Schlittler versus Jacob deGrom is a battle of aces in the Lone Star State. According to FanGraphs, Schlittler has a 1.77 ERA, 2.31 xERA, 2.29 xFIP, 2.44 SIERA and 0.73 WHIP in six starts this year, piling up strikeouts at a blistering 30.8% clip. Meanwhile, deGrom has a 2.13 ERA, 2.98 xERA, 3.07 xFIP, 2.77 SIERA, 1.07 WHIP and 34.7% strikeout rate in five starts this season.
Both pitchers are also outstanding early in contests. Schlittler has a 1.26 ERA and 1.73 xFIP in his first time through the order as a starter this season. He has a 2.58 ERA and 2.46 xFIP in his first time through the order in 20 career starts since debuting in the Majors last season. Schlittler has thrown a scoreless first inning in five out of six starts this season.
Sadly, deGrom has allowed a run in the first inning in two of his five starts, but that means he’s held the opposition scoreless in the first inning in 60% of his starts in 2026.
The larger sample of deGrom’s work in his first time through the order is more impressive, as he owns a 1.59 ERA and 2.70 xFIP in his first time through the order as a starter this season. Ultimately, deGrom’s dominance in his first trip through the order should lead to a higher hit rate for scoreless first innings going forward.
Despite the chalky line for an NRFI, backing the aces to open the contest with zeroes on the scoreboard in the first inning is appealing.
Pick: NRFI (-146)
Chicago Cubs (-118) at San Diego Padres (+100) | O/U 8.0 (-115/-105)
Starting Pitchers: Edward Cabrera vs. Walker Buehler
Edward Cabrera and Walker Buehler aren’t a battle of the aces. Nevertheless, it’s eyebrow-raising that the game’s total is only eight runs. Petco Park has the fourth-lowest park factor for runs (0.948), per FantasyPros’ three-year park factors.
Cabrera’s 2.73 ERA outkicks his 3.72 xERA, 4.21 xFIP and 4.57 SIERA in five starts. On the flip side, Buehler’s 5.75 ERA in five starts is markedly higher than his 3.70 xFIP and 4.04 SIERA, and it’s higher than his admittedly ugly 4.96 xERA.
While both pitchers have been at opposite ends of the luck spectrum in 2026, both have been in lockstep in getting off to encouraging starts to games. Cabrera has a 3.75 ERA and 3.60 xFIP in his first time through the order as a starter, and Buehler has a blistering 1.54 ERA and 2.74 xFIP in his first time through the order.
I’ve saved the best for last. Cabrera and Buehler have combined to throw scoreless first innings in all 10 of their collective starts in 2026.
According to Baseball-Reference, Cabrera has allowed only two hits and zero walks with five strikeouts in the first inning this year. Buehler has allowed just three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in the first inning this season. The NRFI is a tasty bet for this game.
Pick: NRFI (-128)
Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.