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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks: Saturday (4/12)

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Saturday brings along another full MLB slate of games as we dive into the top No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks and predictions.

If you’re unfamiliar with NRFI bets, it’s pretty simple. We’re betting on whether or not any runs will be scored in the first inning by either team. Both starting pitchers have to pitch a scoreless first inning for the bet to cash. 

For Saturday, we have two picks featuring the Rangers vs. Mariners and the Angels vs. Astros matchups. Without further ado, let’s get to my favorite NRFI plays for Saturday, April 12th. 

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Saturday’s Best MLB No Runs First Innings (NRFI) Picks

(All odds courtesy DraftKings Sportsbook)

Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners 

Starting Pitchers: Kumar Rocker vs. Bryan Woo 

Two of the MLB's best young pitchers face off tonight in an American League West showdown. Bryan Woo starts for the Seattle Mariners while Kumar Rocker toes the rubber for the Texas Rangers. Both exciting arms point us towards a scoreless first inning. 

Rocker had a rough season debut with six runs allowed over just three innings. Yet, the Rangers rookie bounced back with five innings of one-run ball last weekend. Rocker notably used his sinker and slider much more often and stayed away from the four-seamer. If that pitch mix continues, the right-hander can live up to the hype moving forward. 

Rocker had a 3-0 NRFI record last year in limited action for Texas. So far, he's thrown a scoreless first inning in one of two starts this season. That first outing, as noted, could be an outlier. Plus, it came in Cincinnati's hitter-friendly ballpark. Tonight, he'll be in Seattle's favorable setting. 

Meanwhile, Woo is coming off a breakout 2024 season where he posted a 2.89 ERA for Seattle. The success started early in starts as Woo held opponents scoreless in the first inning in 18 out of 22 outings (81.8%). He had a .195 batting average and a .214 on-base percentage (OBP) allowed in the opening frame as well. 

At home last year, Woo had an 8-2 NRFI record and 2.47 ERA overall in 10 home starts. So far this season, he's tossed a scoreless first inning in both outings. Woo also benefits from facing a Rangers offense hitting just .193 (30th in MLB) with a .266 wOBA (29th) against righties. 

Pick: NRFI (-140)

Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros

Starting Pitchers: Tyler Anderson vs. Ryan Gusto

Let's head to an American League West matchup for our second NRFI pick today. We have a veteran on the mound for the Los Angeles Angels and a rookie toeing the rubber for the Houston Astros. Both can combine for a scoreless first inning. 

Angels starter Tyler Anderson has allowed a first-inning run in both of his two starts so far this season. Yet, he's due for positive regression in that area. Anderson posted a 22-9 NRFI record last season (70.9%), including 13-2 on the road (86.7%). He also tossed a scoreless first inning in three out of four starts against the Astros in 2024. 

Anderson will take on a Houston offense struggling in the first inning. The 'Stros have scored only two total runs in their opening frames across 12 games. They're hitting just .171 (26th in MLB) with a .212 wOBA (27th) and 31.1% strikeout rate (25th) in the first inning thus far as well. 

On the other side, Ryan Gusto will make his first MLB start tonight, replacing the injured Spencer Arrighetti in the Astros’ rotation. The right-hander has been effective in eight relief innings this year with a 1.13 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. He also posted a 1.17 ERA across 7.2 innings in spring training. 

Gusto can get through a scoreless first inning, despite being unproven as a Major League starter. He posted an impressive 17-3 NRFI record over his final 20 Triple-A starts last season. He also had a 2.08 ERA over his last 18 outings a year ago. 

Pick: NRFI (-110)

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