The 2026 MLB season continues on Wednesday with 28 teams in action. Several compelling games are scheduled, including a National League collision between the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals. A showdown between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees 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)
Tampa Bay Rays (+154) at Los Angeles Dodgers (-184)
Starting Pitchers: Shane McClanahan vs. Shohei Ohtani
The Dodgers will aim to complete an impressive sweep when they battle the Rays on Wednesday. Los Angeles will hand the baseball to Shohei Ohtani (6-2, 1.06 ERA), while Tampa Bay counters with Shane McClanahan (6-4, 3.23 ERA).
Take note that there have been zeroes on the scoreboard at the end of the first inning in 22 of the Rays’ 37 away games (59%) and in 21 of the Dodgers’ 36 home games (58%). Those are both top-10 NRFI cash rates.
There’s not much to say about Ohtani that hasn’t already been said. The Japanese phenom has posted a stellar 0.84 WHIP and limited opponents to a minuscule .154 batting average across 11 starts.
The domination has been instant, as Ohtani has escaped the first inning unscathed in each of his previous 18 starts. This Tampa Bay roster has slashed just .167/.250/.278 with zero home runs in 54 at-bats facing Ohtani. It’s clear who has the advantage.
McClanahan did not toe the rubber at all in 2024 or 2025 due to various injuries, but has returned with a vengeance in 2026. The Maryland native has excelled at limiting early damage.
McClanahan has held opponents to a .506 OPS and has yet to allow a home run during the first 25 pitches of an outing. Career marks of a 2.17 first-inning ERA and 69-17 NRFI record (80%) make McClanahan worth trusting in a tough matchup.
Pick: NRFI (-130)
Colorado Rockies (+152) at Chicago Cubs (-180)
Starting Pitchers: Sean Sullivan vs. Javier Assad
An enticing rubber match is lined up for Wednesday after the Rockies and Cubs split two contests to begin the week. Colorado’s Sean Sullivan (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and Chicago’s Javier Assad (4-1, 3.99 ERA) draw the start in the series finale.
This pick is focused on the pros at the plate rather than the pros on the mound, though. Colorado and Chicago rank as bottom-10 offenses in on-base percentage (OBP), OPS and home runs in the first inning.
To dive even deeper, the Rockies have failed to score a run in 39 of their 53 opening frames versus a right-hander (74%). The Cubs have failed to cross home plate in 15 of their 17 opening frames versus a left-hander (88%).
To say they have struggled would be putting it lightly. Keep in mind that both squads also sport bottom-five batting averages with two outs. Clutch hits have not been plentiful for either side this campaign.
Sullivan made his MLB debut with Colorado on June 12th, when he tossed three clean innings against the Athletics before falling ill. The 23-year-old showed some grit and should benefit from Wrigley Field ranking 27th in Statcast’s offensive park factors.
Meanwhile, Assad sports a dazzling 2.80 ERA through 44 career appearances at the historic Chicago venue (177 innings). Expect him to build on his back-to-back scoreless outings.
Pick: NRFI (+100)
