MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (8/26)
The 2026 MLB season continues on Wednesday with all 30 teams in action. Several compelling games are scheduled, including a National League collision between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. A showdown between the Houston Astros 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 are 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)
Baltimore Orioles (-108) at St. Louis Cardinals (-108)
Starting Pitchers: Kyle Bradish vs. Michael McGreevy
Two squads vying to stay alive in their respective Wild Card races meet at Busch Stadium on Wednesday. The Orioles will hand the baseball to Kyle Bradish (7-12, 3.70 ERA), while the Cardinals counter with Michael McGreevy (5-9, 3.54 ERA).
Take note that both of these teams sport a top-six NRFI cash rate in 2026. There’s been a scoreless first inning in 74 of Baltimore’s 132 games (56%) and in 71 of St. Louis’ 133 games (53%).
McGreevy’s underlying stats won’t blow anyone away, but he gets the job done. The right-hander has escaped the first inning unscathed in 20 of his 25 starts this campaign.
The key for McGreevy is getting ahead, as he is allowing a .219 on-base percentage (OBP) when in a pitcher’s count. The Orioles have logged the second-lowest OPS from the leadoff spot in the Majors (.666). A quick out would go a long way in helping McGreevy remain reliable.
This is a matchup Bradish can exploit. The Cardinals have posted the league’s second-lowest OBP at home (.306) and fifth-lowest OPS versus right-handed pitching (.692). They also rank 24th in first-inning runs per home contest (0.49).
Bradish has thrown a clean opening frame in an impressive 22 of his 24 starts, surrendering a .183/.264/.268 slash line in that stretch. Expect him to maintain his run of success.
Pick: NRFI (-136)
Boston Red Sox (-154) at Miami Marlins (+130)
Starting Pitchers: Sonny Gray vs. Ryan Gusto
The Red Sox will aim to secure a second consecutive series sweep when they visit the Marlins on Wednesday. Boston’s Sonny Gray (16-3, 2.79 ERA) and Miami’s Ryan Gusto (0-3, 4.37 ERA) will toe the rubber at loanDepot Park.
Slow starts at the plate have been the trend in this head-to-head series lately. There have been zeroes on the scoreboard at the end of the first inning in nine of the last 15 battles between the Red Sox and Marlins.
There’s no shortage of star power in Boston’s lineup. However, the Red Sox check in as a bottom-10 offense in first-inning OPS (.689) and first-inning home runs (19). They do most of their damage late in games.
That bodes well for Gusto, who has kept his opponent from scoring a first-inning run in nine of his 12 starts. Trust him to lean on his low walk rate (5.9%) to limit baserunners in a smooth opening frame.
There’s no overstating how crucial Gray has been in Boston’s turnaround. The veteran hurler has posted a quality start in eight of his past 11 trips to the mound. All 11 of those outings began with a scoreless first inning.
Miami matches Boston as a bottom-10 offense in first-inning OPS (.697) and first-inning home runs (13). This is a spot where backing an experienced pitcher over a roster of young bats is worth taking on juiced odds.
Pick: NRFI (-146)