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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Sunday (4/7)

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The MLB rolls out a full 15-game slate on Sunday, April 7, and if you're looking for some quick-hitting bets, you've come to the right place.

Here are my three favorite No Runs First Inning (NRFI) plays for today's action.

Sunday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning Picks

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Oakland Athletics (+160) @ Detroit Tigers (-192) | O/U 8.5 (-105/-115)

Starting Pitchers: Joe Boyle vs. Jack Flaherty

We have a Motown rubber match this afternoon as the Athletics and Tigers wrap up their three-game series. Joe Boyle gets the nod for the A's, while the Tigers counter with Jack Flaherty. First pitch is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET from Comerica Park in Detroit. 

The Tigers have been one of the better NRFI teams in the league this season, going 6-2 to the NRFI. They'll turn to Flaherty this afternoon, and he was sharp in his season debut, holding the White Sox to one earned run over 6.0 innings of work. His task today is shutting down an Oakland offense that's 27th in team batting average (.192) and 26th in OPS (.595). I think the right-hander can take care of this lowly A's lineup. 

Detroit hasn't been very functional offensively either, coming in at 24th in both team batting average (.209) and OPS (.621). They'll square off against Boyle, who enters with a 23.63 ERA after giving up eight runs (seven earned) over 2.2 innings. However, the right-hander has limited the top three Detroit hitters, Matt Vierling (0-3), Andy Ibanez (0-3) and Spencer Torkelson (1-3) to a combined 1-9 (.111) in his career. Let's play the NRFI in this matchup between two bottom-tier offenses.

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-115)

Chicago White Sox (+114) @ Kansas City Royals (-135) | O/U 8.5 (-118/-102)

Starting Pitchers: Garrett Crochet vs. Alec Marsh

Kansas City is looking to break out the brooms for a four-game sweep as it finishes its series with Chicago. This pitching matchup features a battle between Garrett Crochet and Alec Marsh. First pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. 

Let's keep with the theme of horrible offenses. Chicago's bats have been abysmal out of the gate this season, ranking dead last in both team batting average (.177) and OPS (.553). As a Sox fan, I can confirm that this team is going to be a train wreck this season. They've already lost two of their key hitters, Luis Robert Jr. (10-day IL) and Eloy Jimenez (10-day IL). 

The lack of hitting has led Chicago to a 6-2 start to the NRFI this season. If there's one bright spot for Chicago, it's Garrett Crochet, who owns a 1.38 ERA (16th) and 0.69 WHIP (8th) through two starts. He'll face a Kansas City squad that's a pedestrian 12th in team batting average (.252) and 11th in OPS (.742). Marsh also shined in his season debut, holding the high-powered Orioles to one earned run over 7.0 innings. I think he'll clean up against the floundering White Sox. Give me the NRFI in this spot.

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-130)

San Diego Padres (+142) @ San Francisco Giants (-170) | O/U 8.0 (-105/-115)

Starting Pitchers: Matt Waldron vs. Logan Webb

The afternoon continues with an NL West showdown between the Padres and the Giants. It's a rubber match, and San Diego will send Matt Waldron to the bump while San Francisco opts for Logan Webb. This divisional clash is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET from Oracle Park in San Francisco. 

Webb has developed into one of the top pitchers in the entire league. Specifically, he's dominated at home over the years. In 2023, the right-hander posted a 2.26 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 16 starts. Webb limited opponents to a .231 batting average over the 111.2 innings pitched. As for his head-to-head numbers against San Diego, Webb has held them to a slash line of .235/.285/.322 over 115 at-bats.

Meanwhile, Waldron is a bit of a wild card, as he enters with a 9.00 ERA after allowing four earned runs over 4.0 innings to the Cardinals last time out. However, I think the right-hander could find success against this less-than-threatening San Fran offense. They're just 20th in team batting average (.226) and 19th in OPS (.671). Neither team has been great to the NRFI this season (SD 4-7, SF 3-6), but this profiles as a potential low-scoring affair. I'll take a shot with the NRFI. 

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-125)

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

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