MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (8/18)
All 30 MLB teams are in play today across 15 contests, with games beginning at 6:35 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 DraftKings Sportsbook | All bets are for 1 unit
Detroit Tigers (+113) at Pittsburgh Pirates (-136) | O/U 8.0 (-109/-111)
Starting Pitchers: Keider Montero vs. Braxton Ashcraft
Keider Montero has pitched well this season, albeit with some good fortune in his starts. According to FanGraphs, in 20 starts in 2026, Montero has amassed a 3.31 ERA, 3.60 xERA, 4.94 xFIP and 4.82 SIERA.
The righty’s xFIP and SIERA are alarming, but his xERA does a better job of validating his rock-solid ERA. Montero is also beginning games on the right foot. He has a 3.31 ERA, 4.94 xFIP and 1.01 WHIP in his first time through the order as a starter this season.
Montero has also logged a 17-3 NRFI-YRFI record in the 20 starts this season, with a 5-2 record in seven road starts. In addition, per Baseball-Reference, Montero has allowed only four runs and a .387 OPS in the first inning of his 20 starts.
Braxton Ashcraft has been at the other end of the luck spectrum than Montero, while still pitching at a rock-solid level. The 26-year-old righty has a stellar 3.88 ERA in 24 starts in 2026, but his 3.35 xERA, 3.17 xFIP and 3.26 SIERA are even more impressive marks.
Even with less than ideal luck, Ashcraft has spun it early in games. He has a 3.13 ERA and 2.84 xFIP in his first time through the order as a starter this year. Furthermore, Ashcraft posted a 0.00 ERA and a 2.32 xFIP in his first time through the order over his eight starts as a rookie in 2025.
Ashcraft has an 18-6 NRFI-YRFI record in his 24 starts, with a blistering 10-1 record in 11 home starts. He’s allowed 11 runs (10 earned) in the first inning despite his NRFI-YRFI record, but he’s also held batters to just a .683 OPS in the first inning.
Montero and Ashcraft have pitched well enough early in games, namely in the first inning, to back the NRFI, despite both lineups featuring multiple hitters at the top of the order who’ve roughed up righties this season.
Pick: NRFI (-120)
Toronto Blue Jays (+129) at Tampa Bay Rays (-156) | O/U 7.5 (-108/-112)
Starting Pitchers: Jose Soriano vs. Nick Martinez
Jose Soriano is a road warrior. In 13 starts spanning 73.1 innings on the road this season, he’s twirled a 2.82 ERA and 3.91 xFIP.
The 27-year-old righty is also lights out early in games. He has a 2.38 ERA and 3.48 xFIP in his first time through the order as a starter this season. Moreover, Soriano has an 18-6 NRFI-YRFI record this year, ripping off 11 straight scoreless first innings, and owning an 11-2 record on the road, including seven straight scoreless first innings on the road.
Nick Martinez is opposing Soriano and the Blue Jays, and he’s responsible for a tasty 2.74 ERA in 23 starts this season. Admittedly, Martinez’s 4.43 xERA, 4.54 xFIP and 4.73 SIERA have been much less impressive marks.
Still, Martinez has cooked with gas early. He has a 1.83 ERA and 4.39 xFIP in his first time through the order as a starter this. The gap between his ERA and xFIP is much less concerning when looking at his career 2.91 ERA and 4.24 xFIP in his first time through the order in 152 career starts, dating back to 2014.
Martinez also has a pristine 20-3 NRFI-YRFI record this season, including going 9-3 at home. Finally, Martinez has allowed only three runs and a tiny .564 OPS in the first inning this season. Soriano and Martinez should continue their scoreless first-inning ways and combine for an NRFI tonight.
Pick: NRFI (-120)
Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.