The 2025 MLB season continues on Wednesday with all 30 teams in action. Several entertaining games are scheduled, including a National League doubleheader between the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. A collision between the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners 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) tickets for a quick result. Here's a look at MLB NRFI options that stick out from the rest on this week's hump day game Royals vs. Astros.
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Team View
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Matchup View
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- MLB Consensus Odds
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Wednesday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks: Royals vs. Astros
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Royals vs. Astros
Starting Pitchers: Michael Lorenzen vs. Colton Gordon
An exciting rubber match is on tap for Wednesday after the Royals and Astros split their first two showdowns to kick off the week. Kansas City will hand the ball to Michael Lorenzen (3-3, 3.57 ERA), while Houston will give Colton Gordon a chance to shine in his MLB debut. There has been a clean first inning in 14 of the Royals’ 21 road contests and 15 of the Astros’ 23 home clashes this campaign. Talk about cash cows.
It can be risky to rely on a rookie hurler. However, Gordon benefits from an advantageous matchup at Daikin Park. Kansas City ranks 27th in chase percentage (29.6%) and 26th in OPS against left-handed pitching (.284). The Royals are the lone squad in the league with fewer than five home runs off southpaws. Painting the edges of the strike zone to induce soft contact should be Gordon’s key to success.
Lorenzen is one of just seven pitchers who have yet to surrender a first-inning run through at least eight starts. The veteran right-hander is utilizing a seven-pitch mix to confuse batters and now encounters a Houston lineup that grades last in first-inning runs per game (0.20). It’s worth mentioning that the Astros duo of Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena is also 1-for-13 combined facing Lorenzen. Trust him to gather three quick outs.
Pick: NRFI (-113)
