The 2026 MLB season continues on Wednesday with all 30 teams in action. Several compelling games are scheduled, including an American League East clash between the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox. A showdown between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers will surely draw attention on the National League side. Sports bettors wanting to get in on the action without sweating through an entire nine-inning contest can turn to MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks for a quick result. Here's a look at two picks that stick out from the rest on this week's hump day.
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Wednesday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
San Francisco Giants (+122) at Philadelphia Phillies (-144)
Starting Pitchers: Logan Webb vs. Cristopher Sanchez
Philadelphia made headlines on Tuesday when manager Rob Thomson was relieved of his duties. The move was followed by a Phillies 7-0 win versus the Giants. San Francisco’s Logan Webb (2-3, 4.86 ERA) and Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sanchez (2-2, 2.94 ERA) will toe the rubber as the squads meet again on Wednesday. Take note that there has been a scoreless first inning in six of the past seven games between these storied franchises.
Sanchez has been outstanding at Citizens Bank Park in his career. The crafty southpaw has posted a 2.64 ERA and 5.42 strikeout-to-walk rate in 62 home appearances. He has found consistent success in first innings as well, logging a 2.79 ERA and holding opponents to a .278 on-base percentage (OBP) in 91 starts. Facing a Giants lineup that sports the second-lowest OPS (.654) in the Majors gives Sanchez a strong chance to build on those numbers.
There have been ups and downs for Webb during the first month of play. However, the right-hander remains elite from an NRFI perspective. Webb has yet to allow a first-inning run in 2026 and has tossed a clean opening frame in 16 of his previous 19 starts overall. The Phillies’ offense has struggled similarly to the Giants, checking in at 27th in OPS (.662) and 28th in runs scored (109). Back Webb to continue his dominance in a favorable matchup.
Pick: NRFI (-162)
Chicago Cubs (-104) at San Diego Padres (-112)
Starting Pitchers: Jameson Taillon vs. Matt Waldron
An enticing rubber match is set for Wednesday after the Cubs and Padres split their first two battles of the week. Chicago will hand the baseball to Jameson Taillon (1-1, 4.55 ERA), while San Diego counters with Matt Waldron (0-1, 12.46 ERA).
These teams have been cash cows in the NRFI department so far. The first inning has ended with zeroes on the scoreboard in 20 of the Cubs’ 30 games (67%) and in 21 of the Padres’ 29 games (72%).
There’s no overstating how poorly San Diego’s offense has fared early in contests. The Padres are the only MLB squad without a first-inning home run and rank dead last in first-inning OPS (.396).
Taillon has limited San Diego’s roster to a .233/.258/.367 slash line across 90 at-bats. Take note that he has also escaped the opening frame unscathed in all three of his starts at Petco Park. Trust the trends in this spot.
Underperforming offenses have been the target of these picks. That doesn’t stop with the Cubs. Chicago has recorded the third-lowest first-inning OPS (.453), thanks in part to a league-low three extra-base knocks.
Waldron can get blown up at times, but the only first-inning run he has conceded through two starts came via a solo home run at the hitter-friendly Coors Field. Expect him to gather quick outs with the crowd on his side.
Pick: NRFI (-111)
