MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Wednesday (4/17)
The 2024 MLB season rolls on with all 30 teams in action on Wednesday. Several enticing showdowns will go down as the Atlanta Braves take on the Houston Astros, and the Toronto Blue Jays host the New York Yankees. Sports bettors wanting to get in on the action without having to sweat through an entire nine-inning contest can turn to MLB No Run First Inning (NRFI) tickets for a quick result.
Here's a look at MLB NRFI options that stick out when comparing odds on this week's hump day.
Wednesday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
St. Louis Cardinals (-142) @ Oakland Athletics (+120)
Starting Pitchers: Steven Matz vs. Paul Blackburn
St. Louis will aim to complete a valuable road sweep over Oakland on Wednesday. Steven Matz (1-0, 1.80 ERA) will take the mound for the Cardinals opposite Paul Blackburn (1-0, 0.00 ERA) of the Athletics. There has been a total of only nine runs scored throughout the first two games of this series. It’s a trend that makes backing another slow start on the West Coast a great strategy.
The slump for both offenses extends beyond this series, too. St. Louis ranks 24th in on-base percentage (.299) and has scored three or fewer runs in nine of their previous 10 contests. Meanwhile, Oakland checks in 29th in terms of runs per game (2.78) and has scored two first-inning runs across its 12 home games. It would be shocking to see struggling hitters suddenly turn it around against pitchers who have been balling out.
Blackburn has shut down one hitter after another during his streak of 19.1 scoreless innings to start the season. St. Louis is slashing just .227/.227/273 as a team in 22 at-bats against the 30-year-old right-hander. On the other hand, Matz has not allowed a first-inning run or a home run in three starts thus far. Keeping the ball in the yard lets him benefit from a Cardinals defense that ranks seventh in fielding percentage.
Bet: NRFI (-122)
Cincinnati Reds (+112) @ Seattle Mariners (-132)
Starting Pitchers: Andrew Abbott vs. Bryce Miller
The Reds need to salvage a win on Wednesday to avoid a sweep at T-Mobile Park. Manager David Bell will hand the ball to starter Andrew Abbott (1-1, 2.60 ERA) in hopes he’ll get the job done. Seattle will trust starter Bryce Miller (2-1, 1.96) to build momentum with another great outing. Zero runs were put on the board in the first inning of Tuesday’s matchup, and bettors should expect a repeat outcome.
An NRFI bet has cashed in all three of Miller’s starts this year and in 13 of the Mariners’ 18 games so far. The young hurler also pitched a scoreless first inning in his lone start against Cincinnati in 2023 and sports a career ERA of 3.59 at home. Add in the fact that the Reds have scored a total of two first-inning runs across 17 games, and this portion of the bet lines up as a smash. Miller has the clear upper hand.
The same thing can be said about Abbott. All but one hitter on the Mariners roster has yet to face the Virginia native, which is a notable disadvantage. Abbott focuses on finesse rather than power, meaning he regularly confuses hitters the first time around. The fact that he is a southpaw helps his case even more. Seattle has posted the seventh-worst batting average (.222) and has tallied only five extra-base hits in 144 at-bats against left-handed pitching.
Bet: NRFI (-130)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: