MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (8/12)
The 2026 MLB season continues on Wednesday with all 30 teams in action. Several compelling games are scheduled, including a National League East collision between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. A showdown between the Seattle Mariners and the 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 NRFI 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)
Milwaukee Brewers (-118) at San Diego Padres (+100)
Starting Pitchers: Dustin May vs. Robbie Ray
The Padres will aim to lock down an impressive series sweep of the Brewers at Petco Park on Wednesday. It’ll be a battle of trade acquisitions, as Milwaukee’s Dustin May (6-7, 4.30 ERA) and San Diego’s Robbie Ray (10-7, 3.24 ERA) will toe the rubber.
Pitchers have had the early advantage in this head-to-head series. There have been zeroes on the scoreboard at the end of the first inning in 11 of the last 14 clashes between the Brewers and Padres.
Experience is part of why San Diego traded for Ray. It’s part of why bettors should trust him in this spot, too. The veteran southpaw has limited Milwaukee’s roster to a .203/.277/.309 slash line across 59 at-bats.
Not only that, but Ray has tossed a scoreless first inning in 42 of his 54 starts since the beginning of 2025 (78%). Expect him to stay consistent facing a Brewers offense averaging the fifth-fewest first-inning runs per road contest (0.37).
On the other side, May draws a beautiful matchup. The Padres have posted the league’s lowest OPS (.636) and third-lowest run total (49) during the first inning in 2026.
San Diego has failed to produce a run in 70 of their 90 opening frames against a right-handed pitcher. May has escaped the first inning unscathed in eight of his previous 10 starts, including his complete-game shutout versus the Padres on June 15th. Back him with confidence.
Pick: NRFI (-120)
Cleveland Guardians (+110) at Detroit Tigers (-130)
Starting Pitchers: Foster Griffin vs. Framber Valdez
It’s tight at the top of the American League Central, making Wednesday’s tilt between the Guardians and Tigers even more important. Cleveland will hand the baseball to Foster Griffin (12-4, 3.31 ERA), while Detroit counters with Framber Valdez (7-7, 4.17 ERA).
Take note that there has been a clean first inning in 37 of the Guardians’ 61 away games (61%) and in 36 of the Tigers’ 58 home games (62%). Those are both top-three NRFI cash rates.
Much like May, Valdez benefits from a great matchup. This is not a situation Cleveland thrives in. Manager Stephen Vogt’s squad has logged the third-lowest OPS on the road (.657) and the third-lowest OPS against left-handers (.657) in the Majors.
Valdez has kept his opponent from scoring in the first inning in seven of his 10 starts at Comerica Park, facing a minimum of three batters six times. Bank on him succeeding with the fans in his corner.
Griffin’s breakout campaign is bolstered by initial triumph. The 31-year-old hurler has fired a scoreless first inning in a stellar 19 of his 23 starts. To dive even deeper, he has recorded more strikeouts (30) than baserunners allowed (27) in the opening frame.
The Tigers are hot at the plate. It’s worth mentioning that they still rank 26th in first-inning runs per home contest (0.48), though. Griffin has proven he can get the job done.
Pick: NRFI (-128)