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Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Odds for Saturday, June 25th (2022)

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As we hit the weekend running, we’re set for a full 15-game MLB slate today. Action gets underway at 1:05 p.m. ET as the Astros square off against the Yankees in the Bronx. A few other notable matchups include the Blue Jays looking for their second straight win over the Brewers, the Red Sox taking on the Guardians, and the Braves going toe-to-toe with the Dodgers in Freddie Freeman’s return to the ATL. 

Below I’ve narrowed in on my three favorite No Runs First Inning (NRFI) wagers of the day.

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Milwaukee Brewers

The Jays won last night’s interleague series opener by a final score of 9-4. Game two is set this afternoon for 4:10 p.m. ET from Milwaukee as the rotation rolls over and the Crew sends Corbin Burnes to the bump. As for Toronto, they’ll go with Yusei Kikuchi as they go for their third straight overall win.

Kikuchi has had an inconsistent season, as he enters with a 2-3 record to go along with a 4.94 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 13 starts. The southpaw last threw against the Yankees on Sunday and allowed three earned runs on three hits and a pair of walks over 4.0 innings of work. 

Burnes hasn’t lost a step since earning his first Cy Young award last season. The right-hander comes in with a 5-4 record and has posted a 2.31 ERA (8th) and 0.92 WHIP (4th). Burnes has also struck out the second-most batters in baseball with 110 punchouts. He’s coming off a gem, where he held the Cardinals scoreless over 7.0 innings and allowed just two hits and a pair of walks. 

While Kikuchi’s numbers aren’t great, he’ll have an edge here as the Brewers are one of the worst teams in baseball against left-handed pitching. Milwaukee ranks 28th in team batting average (.218) and 26th in OPS (.663) against LHP. Furthermore, over a small sample size, he’s held the Crew to just 1-9 with no extra-base hits in the head-to-head category. As for Burnes, look for him to settle in early and turn in another great outing. He’s coming off the dominant outing against the Cardinals and should be able to keep that rolling as his team needs a win today. Take NRFI in this one. 

Bet: Blue Jays vs. Brewers NRFI (-120 via FanDuel)

Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians

The Red Sox are going for their sixth straight win in Cleveland this afternoon, and they’ll turn to Josh Winckowski to handle the starting pitching responsibilities. As for the Guardians, the rotation rolls over, and they’ll opt for Shane Bieber in game two this afternoon. The first pitch in this American League showdown is set for 6:10 p.m. ET from Progressive Field. 

Winckowski will make his fourth career start this evening, and he’s put up pretty decent numbers so far in his career. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 14.2 innings of work. He recently limited the Tigers to a pair of earned runs while giving up seven hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. It was his second straight win. 

Bieber may be starting to find his groove this season as the team has now won his last five starts. The right-hander has posted two straight quality starts, including his recent outing against the Dodgers. He limited Los Angeles to three runs (two earned) over 6.1 innings while allowing seven hits and a walk. 

The 23-year-old Winckowski has posted a 1.54 ERA over two starts in June and has been a serviceable option for the Red Sox this year. There is no head-to-head data, and this will be his first start away from Fenway in his career. As for Bieber, he enters with a 2.59 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 24.1 IP this month. The right-hander has limited J.D. Martinez, Xander Bogaerts, and Rafael Devers to a combined 7-26 (.269) in his career. I agree that this NRFI is about a coin flip in terms of odds, but I like it to hit here, considering the current form of these starting pitchers. 

Bet: Red Sox vs. Guardians NRFI (-115 via FanDuel)

Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels

Let’s round out today’s card out west as the Mariners and Angels battle for third place in the A.L. West. The M’s won game one last night 4-3, claiming their fourth straight victory. They’ll look to keep it going tonight as they turn to Logan Gilbert in game two of the series. As for the Halos, they’ll give Patrick Sandoval the nod. This one’s set for 10:07 p.m. ET from Angel Stadium. 

Gilbert is putting together a fine season for Seattle. He’s made 14 starts so far and comes in with a 2.28 ERA (7th) and 1.04 WHIP (16th). The right-hander just faced the Angels on Sunday and limited them to a pair of earned runs on four hits while striking out six batters. He lasted 6.0 innings, posting his seventh straight quality start. 

Sandoval has been arguably the best pitcher for Los Angeles this season. The southpaw is 3-2 over 11 starts with a 2.70 ERA and 1.32 WHIP this season. Sandoval pitched against the Mariners last Saturday and held them to one earned run on four hits and two walks over 6.0 innings. 

These starters have both been excellent for their respective ball clubs this year. They each posted quality starts in their last outings against each other’s team last weekend. Sandoval has limited the M’s to 15-61 (.146) in the head-to-head category, while the Halos are just 9-48 (.188) against Gilbert. I don’t know that we need to look much deeper than that. Let’s go with NRFI in Los Angeles tonight. 

Bet: Mariners vs. Angels NRFI (-111 via FanDuel)


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