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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (7/30)

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The MLB weekend wraps up today and there's no shortage of betting options on the board. I'm taking it to the prop sheet and I'm diving into my top three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) plays. Here's where I'm laying my cash today!

MLB YTD: 72-131 (-1.79 units)

Sunday's Best No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Detroit Tigers vs. Miami Marlins

The Tigers snapped their four-game skid yesterday when they secured a 5-0 victory against the Marlins. Today's interleague tilt is a rubber match, and we have a pitching matchup between Tarik Skubal and Jesus Luzardo. First pitch is set for 1:40 p.m. ET from LoanDepot Park in Miami, FL. 

I'm rolling with the NRFI here, and it's mainly due to the fact that Luzardo is toeing the rubber. The southpaw has been on a tear recently, posting a 1.93 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over five starts this month (23.1 IP). Furthermore, he has dominated at home, where he boasts a 2.32 ERA, and opponents are hitting just .196 against him. 

On the flip side, Miami is the worst offense in baseball in terms of first-inning offense. They've managed to plate a run in just 19.23% of their games. As for Detroit, they're the fifth-lowest in this category, scoring in just 24.04% of their first innings. These are two subpar offenses, and I think we'll see a scoreless first frame. 

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-150)

Boston Red Sox vs. San Francisco Giants

We have another rubber match out west as the Red Sox and Giants wrap up their three-game set. San Francisco turns to Scott Alexander as they look for their second straight victory. Boston counters with Brennan Bernardino in this interleague clash slated for 4:05 p.m. ET from Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA. 

Neither Bernardino nor Alexander are starting pitchers, so it's looking like we're in for a bullpen game this afternoon. In my opinion, that's great for our NRFI play, as these managers deliberately chose these two hurlers to open the game. Bernardino has allowed just one earned run in his last six outings, while Alexander has 17 scoreless outings in his last 18 appearances! 

The fact that the left-handed Alexander has been so great recently makes me feel much better about fading this potent Boston lineup. I'm already very confident in Bernardino as he'll take on a Giants squad that's dead last in both team batting average (.195) and OPS (.626) over the last 15 days. NRFI is the play in the Bay. 

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-120)

Seattle Mariners vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Once again, we have another rubber match - this one in the Valley of the Sun. The Diamondbacks earned a desperate win yesterday in a 4-3 affair with the Mariners. This series finale features a pitching matchup between Luis Castillo and Merrill Kelly. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. ET from Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ. 

Kelly is having a fantastic season and comes in at 9-4 with a 3.12 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. At home, he's limiting the opposition to a .178 batting average over 55.0 innings of work. This will be Kelly's second start back after suffering a blood clot in his calf, and he was excellent in his first start back. The right-hander held the Cardinals to one earned run over 6.0 innings of work. This is a big game for the Snakes, and I think Kelly elevates his game in this spot. 

As for Castillo, the edge with him lies in the head-to-head numbers. The Diamondbacks are slashing just .103/.188/.190 against the right-hander over 58 at-bats. Look for Castillo to turn in a decent outing against an Arizona side that's struggled on offense recently. Let's play the NRFI in the desert. 

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-122)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Sunday:

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