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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Wednesday (4/2)

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The 2025 MLB season continues on Wednesday with 15 more games on the schedule. There are a few entertaining series set to play, including a National League clash between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cleveland Guardians and San Diego Padres will surely draw some attention in their interleague showdown as well.

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 two MLB NRFI options that stick out from the rest on this week's hump day.

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    Wednesday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks

    (Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

    Detroit Tigers (-112) at Seattle Mariners (-104)

    Starting Pitchers: Tarik Skubal vs. Luis Castillo

    Detroit winning the first two meetings of this series means an opportunity for a sweep is on tap in Seattle. The Tigers will trust their ace Tarik Skubal (0-1, 7.20 ERA) to earn a victory, while the Mariners will hand the ball to veteran Luis Castillo (0-1, 3.60 ERA). This has been an ideal matchup for NRFI bettors in the past. After all, Skubal (2.03 ERA) and Castillo (3.00 ERA) both finished among the top 20 starting pitchers in first-inning ERA last year.

    There’s no denying Detroit has been impressive during the first innings so far. However, it is bound to come back down to earth after averaging the fifth-fewest first-innings runs per away game (0.34) in 2024. I like Castillo’s odds of stopping the momentum. The savvy right-hander has held this Tigers roster to a .236/.267/.347 slash with only six extra-base hits in 72 at-bats and boasts a career 2.90 ERA at T-Mobile Park.

    On the other side, Seattle has not crossed home plate in the first inning of any of their six contests. This shouldn’t serve as a surprise, one year after the Mariners ranked 28th in first-inning runs per home game (0.37). Skubal logged an impressive 6.75% strikeout-to-walk ratio over 31 opening frames last campaign and sat down the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers to begin his Opening Day start. Trust the aces to dominate.

    Bet: NRFI (-162)

    Colorado Rockies (+260) at Philadelphia Phillies (-320)

    Starting Pitchers: Kyle Freeland vs. Zack Wheeler

    This is an interesting matchup considering the Rockies and Phillies are not often included in NRFI picks. Each team plays in a ballpark known to favor hitters. However, the two hurlers on the mound on Wednesday have proven they can get the job done no matter the circumstances. Experience and poise will come in handy for Colorado’s Kyle Freeland (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler (0-0, 1.50 ERA).

    Wheeler was simply incredible early in games last season, surrendering a minuscule four runs across 32 first innings. The two-time All-Star lived up to the hype when he sent the Washington Nationals’ first three hitters back to the dugout on 10 pitches on Thursday. The Rockies are one of eight MLB teams that have yet to score a first-inning run. Dealing with Wheeler does not give them a great chance of changing that stat.

    This is a sneaky good spot to back Freeland. The 31-year-old dazzled in his opening start with six shutout innings and seven strikeouts versus the Tampa Bay Rays. He now battles a Philly team that has mustered just two runs against opposing starting pitchers over 23.1 innings. It’s worth noting Freeland has also had success facing Kyle Schwarber (1-for-12), Bryce Harper (5-for-23) and Trea Turner (7-for-33).

    Bet: NRFI (-138)

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

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