MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Saturday (9/14)
Saturday brings along another full MLB slate of games as we dive into today’s top No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks. As you place your baseball bets today, check out these MLB picks and predictions. For Saturday, we have a pair of NRFI picks. Without further ado, below are my favorite NRFI plays for Saturday, September 14th. Note that odds may change before first pitch.
- 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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Saturday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(All odds courtesy DraftKings Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves
Starting Pitchers: Jack Flaherty vs. Chris Sale
Today's first NRFI pick brings us to the Saturday night headliner game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. In this matchup between two of the top National League squads, we also have two top-tier pitchers on the mound. Bank on Jack Flaherty and Chris Sale to help cash the NRFI.
Sale continues to pitch at an elite level for Atlanta as the clear frontrunner for the National League Cy Young. The veteran left-hander has a 2.38 ERA and 2.02 FIP this year. He's been lights-out lately with a 1.15 ERA and 1.25 FIP over his past six starts and a 1.80 ERA and 1.68 FIP over his past 12 outings. He's virtually unhittable and it's translating directly to first-inning success.
Sale's season-long 18-9 NRFI record isn't too flashy, but he's been much better in that department recently. He's tossed a scoreless first inning in 10 of his last 12 starts, including seven straight, and boasts a 17-5 NRFI mark since the beginning of May. Sale also held opponents scoreless in the opening frame of five straight home starts and eight of his last 10 home outings.
On the other side, Flaherty should hold the Braves in check early as well. Flaherty has been excellent for months now with a 2.17 ERA over his past 15 starts. Since joining the Dodgers at the trade deadline, he has a 2.61 ERA across seven starts.
Like Sale, Flaherty also has a strong NRFI track record we can trust here. The Los Angeles righty has thrown a scoreless first inning in 18 of his last 19 starts, including six out of his seven starts with the Dodgers. He also has an impressive 21-5 NRFI record overall this season. Flaherty has also been more effective on the road (2.49 ERA, 0.94 WHIP) than at home (3.29 ERA, 1.09 WHIP).
Bet: NRFI (-130)
Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners
Starting Pitchers: Max Scherzer vs. Logan Gilbert
Our second NRFI pick takes us to an American League West matchup between the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners. This game features the return of Max Scherzer from the injured list (IL) as he gets the start for Texas. Plus, we have Logan Gilbert on the mound for Seattle. Put it together and the NRFI looks pretty promising.
Let's start with Scherzer, who will make his first start since July 30th. While the veteran right-hander has dealt with injuries and some shaky outings this season, we should have confidence in a strong first inning tonight. Scherzer boasts a 7-1 NRFI mark this season with a .111 batting average (AVG) and .172 on-base percentage (OBP) allowed in his opening frames.
While it's always risky to trust any pitcher coming off an injury, this is a unique case. Scherzer looked sharp in his rehab appearance last week, allowing zero hits over four innings with eight strikeouts and the lone baserunner being an intentional walk. He's mentioned publicly how motivated he is to show he's healthy in this final stretch of the regular season. Expect Scherzer to come out strong - at least in the first inning as he holds Seattle scoreless.
Meanwhile, Gilbert is having an excellent season for the Mariners with a 3.15 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. The right-hander has been especially dominant early in his starts with an elite 26-3 NRFI record and a .150 AVG/.198 OBP allowed in the first inning. Gilbert has tossed a scoreless first inning in 18 of his last 19 starts.
Gilbert is also on the favorable end of his home/road splits tonight. He has a 2.35 ERA at home compared to a 3.82 ERA on the road this year. Plus, Gilbert boasts a 12-1 NRFI mark when pitching in Seattle this season.
Bet: NRFI (-145)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Saturday: