The 2024 MLB season continues with 28 teams in action on Wednesday. A few powerhouse battles are scheduled as the Los Angeles Dodgers visit the San Diego Padres and the Philadelphia Phillies host the New York Yankees.
Sports bettors wanting to get in on the action without sweating through an entire nine-inning contest can turn to MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) tickets for a quick result. Here's a look at MLB NRFI options that jump out when comparing odds on this week's hump day.
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Wednesday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Atlanta Braves (-125) at Milwaukee Brewers (+105)
Starting Pitchers: Chris Sale vs. Freddy Peralta
An exciting rubber match awaits on Wednesday after the Braves and Brewers split the first two games of this series. Chris Sale (13-3, 2.68 ERA) will take the mound for Atlanta amid a standout campaign. The veteran southpaw is currently the favorite to win the National League Cy Young Award on DraftKings (+100). On the other side, Freddy Peralta (6-6, 3.94 ERA) will aim to get the Milwaukee crowd hyped up.
Peralta’s ability to induce soft contact should help him shut down the top of the Braves lineup. It’s what he’s relied on all year considering he ranks 44th out of 373 qualified pitchers in average exit velocity (86.9 mph). It’s worth noting Marcell Ozuna and Matt Olson are a combined 4-for-20 against Peralta in their respective careers. Those two would likely be the hitters at the plate if anyone got on base early in the contest.
It’s tough to overstate how dominant Sale has been. The Atlanta ace leads the NL with a 0.92 WHIP and checks in second with a 5.96 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Starting hot has been a key to Sale’s success given he has held his opponent scoreless during the first inning in 10 of his previous 14 starts. An NRFI wager has cashed each of the Braves’ last six games and in an insane 39 of their 55 road games this season (70.9%).
Bet: NRFI (-155)
Kansas City Royals (-192) at Chicago White Sox (+160)
Starting Pitchers: Brady Singer vs. Drew Thorpe
This showdown should catch the attention of baseball bettors everywhere. The first inning has resulted in zeroes on the scoreboard in 34 of Kansas City’s 50 away games (68.0%) and in 37 of Chicago’s 56 home games (66.1%). Now there’s a variety of reasons why those trends exist. However, the struggle to create run-scoring opportunities is the biggest reason for both of these squads through four months of play.
The Royals have drawn the fewest walks (20) and tallied the second-fewest home runs (9) in first innings. The fact they are averaging the second-fewest first-inning runs on the road (0.28) should come as no surprise. Facing an inexperienced rookie in Chicago’s Drew Thorpe may seem like a chance to bounce back. The 23-year-old has finished the first inning unscathed in six of his eight MLB starts, though.
Meanwhile, the White Sox rank 28th in first-inning OPS (.624) and have grounded into a league-high 14 double plays in the opening frame. As a result, they are averaging the fewest first-inning runs per home game (0.29). It won’t get any easier with Kansas City’s Brady Singer drawing the nod on Wednesday. The Florida native has posted a 1.88 ERA across five starts in July. Expect a ton of quick outs at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Bet: NRFI (-110)
