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 Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves. A divisional showdown between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles 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)
San Diego Padres (+120) at Milwaukee Brewers (-142)
Starting Pitchers: Michael King vs. Jacob Misiorowski
The Brewers will aim to secure a series win when they battle the Padres on Wednesday night. Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski and San Diego’s Michael King are set to toe the rubber at American Family Field. Pitchers having an early advantage have come to be expected in this matchup as of late. Eight of the last 10 clashes between the Brewers and Padres have featured zeroes on the scoreboard at the end of the first inning.
Talk about an electric pitch arsenal. Misiorowski has posted the highest strikeout rate (39.5)%) among MLB starting pitchers, thanks to a four-seamer that reaches triple digits and a slider that regularly confuses batters at the plate. It’s a tough break for a San Diego offense that has struggled to get off to fast starts. The Padres have logged the fewest runs (eight) and the lowest team OPS (.439) in the opening frame this campaign.
On the other side, the Brewers aren’t exactly licking their chops seeing King on the mound. The 30-year-old right-hander has yet to allow a first-inning run over eight starts. In fact, he hasn’t even given up a first-inning hit. Keep in mind that King has limited the Milwaukee roster to a .220/.235/.300 slash line with zero home runs in 50 at-bats. The numbers are too hard to ignore in this spot. It’s worth taking on juiced odds.
Pick: NRFI (-150)
San Francisco Giants (+210) at Los Angeles Dodgers (-255)
Starting Pitchers: Robbie Ray vs. Shohei Ohtani
A storied rivalry faces off on Wednesday as the Giants and Dodgers meet on the diamond. San Francisco’s Robbie Ray and Los Angeles’ Shohei Ohtani draw the start. These squads have been reliable options in the NRFI department in 2026. There’s been a clean first inning in 25 of the Giants’ 42 games (60%) and in 23 of the Dodgers’ 42 games (55%). Those are two of the top-four highest NRFI cash rates in the National League.
There’s no exaggerating how well Ohtani has pitched through his first six starts. The two-way superstar has recorded an excellent 0.97 ERA and 0.81 WHIP across 37 innings. Each outing has begun with a scoreless first inning. In fact, Ohtani hasn’t conceded a run in the opening frame in any of his previous 13 starts. Back him to stay locked in versus a San Francisco lineup that ranks dead last in on-base percentage (.291).
It’s not going to be easy for Ray to shut down the top of L.A.’s lineup. However, he catches a break since Ohtani is not expected to hit. Keep in mind that Ray has also held big names like Freddie Freeman (6-for-22 with zero home runs) and Will Smith (2-for-16 with eight strikeouts) in check before. That experience could come in handy if he finds himself in a jam. Overall, Ray has escaped the first inning unscathed in nine of his past 10 starts.
Pick: NRFI (-148)
