MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (5/27)
The 2026 MLB season continues on Wednesday with all 30 teams in action. Several compelling games are scheduled, including a National League Central collision between the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers. A showdown between the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals will surely draw attention on the American 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)
Philadelphia Phillies (-154) at San Diego Padres (+130)
Starting Pitchers: Cristopher Sanchez vs. Walker Buehler
The Padres will aim to snap a three-game skid when they host the Phillies on Sunday afternoon. San Diego’s Walker Buehler (3-2, 5.05 ERA) and Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sanchez (5-2, 1.62 ERA) are set to toe the rubber. Pitchers have had the early advantage in this head-to-head rivalry as of late. In fact, there have been zeroes on the scoreboard at the end of the first inning in nine of the last 12 meetings between the Padres and Phillies.
Buehler is no stranger to Philadelphia’s stars. The 31-year-old has excelled against Trea Turner (0-for-16) and Kyle Schwarber (2-for-11) throughout his career. Those two have been mainstays at the top of Philly’s batting order. Buehler has logged a clean opening frame in eight of his previous 10 starts and will be on the mound in a stadium that ranks 24th in Statcast’s offensive park factors. Experience and environment are on his side.
Talk about a dominant stretch. Sanchez’s scoreless innings streak has reached a whopping 37.2 innings. The savvy southpaw is confusing one hitter after another with an elite 37.0% chase rate and 33.3% whiff rate. Backing Sanchez would be the right move in any matchup, but especially in a favorable one. San Diego has produced the fewest runs (14) and registered the lowest OPS (.522) in the Majors during the first inning.
Pick: NRFI (-136)
Los Angeles Angels (+102) at Detroit Tigers (-120)
Starting Pitchers: Jose Soriano vs. Casey Mize
The Angels will aim to secure a series victory over the Tigers on Wednesday following their 10-6 win on Tuesday. Los Angeles will hand the baseball to Jose Soriano (6-3, 2.44 ERA), while Detroit counters with Casey Mize (2-3, 2.47 ERA). Take note that there has been a scoreless first inning in 17 of the Tigers’ 26 home games (65%) and 15 of the Angels’ 27 away games (56%). Those are both top-five cash rates in the American League.
Mize would be getting more All-Star buzz if it weren’t for a groin injury that sidelined him for a few weeks. The Alabama native has posted an admirable 2.47 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across eight starts (43.2 innings). Beginning strong has been crucial to that success, as Mize has yet to surrender a first-inning run in 2026. Trust him to shut down an Angels offense that has recorded the sixth-lowest OPS versus right-handed arms (.685).
On the other side, Soriano leads the American League with a mark of 6.0 hits allowed per nine innings pitched and checks in fifth with 74 strikeouts. The Dominican hurler also sports a stellar 1.14 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in five road outings. Hostile environments don’t faze Soriano, and now he faces a struggling Detroit lineup. The Tigers are a bottom-three squad in OPS (.602) and runs scored (38) over the past 15 days. That’s a recipe for success.
Pick: NRFI (-142)