MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (5/26)
All 30 MLB teams are in play today across 15 contests. The vast slate creates many contests to pick from for the best MLB no runs first inning (NRFI) picks or MLB yes runs first inning (YRFI) picks.
Two YRFI picks are the most appealing options tonight. One of them is in a pitcher-friendly ballpark, and the other is in a hitter-friendly venue.
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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
Arizona Diamondbacks (-106) at San Francisco Giants (-110) | O/U 8.0 (-105/-115)
Starting Pitchers: Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Tyler Mahle
Eduardo Rodriguez’s 2.24 ERA over 10 starts this season isn’t supported by his underlying metrics. According to FanGraphs, he also has a 4.24 xERA, 4.20 xFIP, 4.58 SIERA, 1.19 WHIP, 9.3% walk rate and 17.4% strikeout rate.
Even though he’s outkicked his peripherals, Rodriguez has thrown a scoreless first inning in just six of his 10 starts. He’s also allowed a run in three of his five starts on the road. Since last season, Rodriguez has permitted a .328 wOBA to left-handed batters and a .337 wOBA to right-handed batters.
The Giants don’t have the most imposing lineup, but Rodriguez is a favorable matchup for San Francisco’s lefties and righties at the top of the order. They can aid him in his struggles to open road contests.
Tyler Mahle has been at the other end of the luck spectrum. His 4.06 xERA, 3.82 xFIP, and 3.89 SIERA over 10 starts in his first season with the Giants suggest he pitched well. His 6.10 ERA says otherwise.
The veteran righty has a 4.20 ERA, 4.02 xERA, 4.12 xFIP and 4.14 SIERA in his career. While the gap between his ERA and ERA estimators is massive, Mahle isn’t a stranger to pitching worse than his ERA estimators.
The 31-year-old righty has thrown a scoreless first inning in six of his 10 starts. He’s somewhat taken advantage of his pitcher-friendly home ballpark. However, Mahle has allowed a run in the first inning in two of his five home starts.
Mahle must navigate some potent hitters at the top of Arizona’s order. Ketel Marte (135 wRC+), Corbin Carroll (130 wRC+), Geraldo Perdomo (117 wRC+) and Nolan Arenado (103 wRC+) have all been above-average hitters or much better than that against righties since 2024.
One of Rodriguez or Mahle might escape the first without allowing a run, but it’s unlikely both come out of the first inning unscathed.
Pick: YRFI (-106)
Seattle Mariners (-118) at Athletics (EVEN) | O/U 9.5 (-105/-115)
Starting Pitchers: Emerson Hancock vs. Luis Severino
Neither the Mariners nor the Athletics has had a knack for notching a scoreless first inning in 2026. The Mariners have produced a YRFI in 32 out of 55 (58.2%) games this season, and the A’s have produced a YRFI in 29 out of 54 games (53.7%).
Emerson Hancock has twirled a scoreless first inning in an impressive eight of his 10 starts. Yet, he’s coughed up a run in the first inning in two out of four road starts. Meanwhile, Luis Severino has allowed a run in the first inning in half of his 10 starts this year. He’s given up a run in the first inning in three out of four starts at home.
Both lineups have quality hitters at the top. Each of Seattle’s top-five projected starters has posted at least a 102 wRC+ against righties since 2024, and four have logged at least a 118 wRC+. On the other side, all five of the projected top-five hitters for the A’s have recorded at least a 120 wRC+ against righties since 2024.
Both offenses will benefit from the park factors at Sutter Health Park. According to FantasyPros, Sutter Health Park has the second-highest park factor for runs (1.091). At least one of these American League West clubs should get on the board in the first inning tonight.
Pick: YRFI (-128)
Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.