MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (7/21)
All 30 MLB teams are in play today across 15 contests, with games beginning at 6:40 p.m. ET. There are ample contests to pick from for the best MLB no runs first inning (NRFI) picks or MLB yes runs first inning (YRFI) picks.
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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
San Diego Padres (+122) at Atlanta Braves (-144) | O/U 9.0 (-110/-110)
Starting Pitchers: Walker Buehler vs. Reynaldo Lopez
Walker Buehler has done an exceptional job in the first inning this season. According to Baseball-Reference, he’s allowed nine runs and a .698 OPS in the first inning in 19 starts. The nine runs might also throw people off the scent of Buehler throwing a scoreless first inning in 15 of his 19 starts.
Having said that, Buehler has allowed a run in the first inning in two of his past three starts, and his NRFI-YRFI record is 6-2 on the road in 2026. Buehler’s numbers in his first time through the order also cast doubt on his ability to continue to spin scoreless first innings. Per FanGraphs, he has a 4.43 ERA and 3.63 xFIP in his first time through the order this season.
The veteran righty also has a challenging matchup in the first inning. Drake Baldwin, Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Michael Harris II and Mauricio Dubon are the projected first five hitters in Atlanta’s lineup. They have logged a 137 wRC+, 97 wRC+, 145 wRC+, 131 wRC+ and 106 wRC+ against righties in 2026, respectively.
On the flip side, Reynaldo Lopez has split time between Atlanta’s rotation and bullpen, opening the year with five starts, followed by 13 relief appearances and four starts.
Lopez has a 3-6 NRFI-YRFI record in his nine starts. He’s allowed a run in three out of four starts since returning to the rotation and in two out of four home starts. Lopez has been tattooed for 11 runs in the first inning of his nine starts, coughing up an eye-popping .990 OPS.
Moreover, Lopez has a 6.00 ERA and 5.16 xFIP in his first time through the order as a starter in 2026.
Lopez’s matchup isn’t nearly as imposing as Buehler’s matchup. Nevertheless, Lopez’s first-inning ineptitude is a plus for a YRFI. Ultimately, Buehler, Lopez or both starters should allow at least one run in the first inning tonight.
Pick: YRFI (-115)
St. Louis Cardinals (-104) at Los Angeles Angels (-112) | O/U 9.0 (-108/-112)
Starting Pitchers: Matthew Liberatore vs. Walbert Urena
Matthew Liberatore versus Walbert Urena doesn’t scream pitcher’s duel. Nevertheless, the game should get off to a scoreless first inning.
Liberatore has had an up-and-down start to games. Yet, the southpaw has a 12-7 NRFI-YRFI record, and he’s tossed a scoreless first inning in three of his previous four starts. He’s also rock-solid early in games - 3.83 ERA and 3.32 xFIP in his first time through the order this season.
Urena has kicked the door in to begin games. He has a 13-2 NRFI-YRFI record this season. The rookie righty has thrown a scoreless first inning in four straight starts. Furthermore, Urena hasn’t allowed a run in the first inning in any of his eight home starts.
Urena has a sparkling 1.83 ERA, albeit with a less impressive 4.02 xFIP and 0.99 WHIP in his first time through the order as a starter in 2026. Liberatore and Urena should combine for a scoreless first inning tonight.
Pick: NRFI (-113)
Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.