It's the final day before the All-Star Break, and if you're looking for some quick-hitting action on the diamond, you've come to the right place. Below, I've listed my three favorite No Runs First Inning (NRFI) plays for today's 15-game slate in the MLB.
Sunday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Pittsburgh Pirates (-205) vs. Chicago White Sox (+170) | 8.5 (-120/+100)
The Pirates are closing out the first half on a high note, winning five of their last six games. They'll turn to Mitch Keller when they go for another series win this afternoon. The White Sox counter with Jared Shuster in this series finale, which is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET from Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Ill.
Shuster's typically a bullpen guy for the White Sox, and this will be just his second start (21st overall appearance) of the year. The left-hander pitched in Friday night's series opener, throwing a scoreless inning while logging two strikeouts. Shuster (3.52 ERA) will square off a Pittsburgh offense that's a bottom-tier unit, ranking 27th in wRC+ (86) and 28th in wOBA (.293).
Furthermore, these have been two of the worst first-inning offenses this season. The Sox are scoring 0.32 runs per first inning (28th), while the Pirates are averaging 0.36 runs (27th). Keller (3.40 ERA) should mow down this lowly Chicago offense. The Sox enter the series finale, sitting dead last in both wRC+ (77) and wOBA (.277). Let's play the NRFI in Chicago this afternoon.
Bet: NRFI (-110)
Seattle Mariners (-192) vs. Los Angeles Angels (+160) | 8.5 (-110/-110)
The Mariners are looking to salvage a series split this afternoon after dropping the middle two games of this four-game set. The M's send Logan Gilbert to the bump today while the Angels counter with Carson Fulmer. First pitch is scheduled for 4:07 p.m. ET from Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Like the above-mentioned interleague game, this contest will also feature a couple of bottom-tier offenses. The Mariners are ranked 20th in wRC+ (95) and 27th in wOBA (.296), while the Halos are 25th (93) and 22nd (.302), respectively. As for the first-inning stats, Seattle's average is 0.48 first-inning runs per game (17th), and Los Angeles’s is scoring 0.39 runs (24th). The M's have been the seventh-best NRFI team in the league this year, posting a record of 59-38.
With Logan Gilbert on the bump, I think they'll notch another NRFI in this spot. The right-hander has been sensational this season, going 6-5 with a 2.94 ERA (11th) and 0.90 WHIP (2nd). As for Carson Fulmer, this will be his first start of the season but his 25th overall appearance. He brings in a 3.83 ERA and has limited the top three Mariners, JP Crawford (0-1), Cal Raleigh (0-1), and Julio Rodriguez (0-1) to a combined 0-3 (.000). Let's take a shot on the NRFI in SoCal this afternoon.
Bet: NRFI (-115)
Toronto Blue Jays (+124) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (-148) | 8.5 (-108/-112)
The Diamondbacks are looking for their fifth straight win today, and they're in a good position to get there, considering Zac Gallen is toeing the rubber. The Blue Jays turn to Yusei Kikuchi as they attempt to avoid the brooms. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET from Chase Field in Phoenix, Ari.
Gallen continues to be a force at home, where he owns a 2.36 ERA in Phoenix while also holding the opposition to a .217 average. The right-hander has dominated the Jays in the past, limiting their current lineup to a slash line of .179/.238/.308 over 39 at-bats. Gallen should manage to keep a clean first inning against this Toronto squad, which is the sixth-best NRFI team in the league at 58-37.
The Snakes have become an NRFI team this year, sitting at 50-46 (20th-best) entering today's action. This lineup has struggled against Yusei Kikuchi in the past, slashing .194/.256/.250 against him over 36 at-bats. Corbin Carroll (0-2), Ketel Marte (0-5), and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (1-6) are a combined 1-13 (.077) against the southpaw. I'm expecting a scoreless first inning in the Valley.
Bet: NRFI (-115)
