MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Wednesday (9/4)
The 2024 MLB season continues with all 30 teams in action on Wednesday. A few thrilling divisional battles are scheduled as the Cleveland Guardians visit the Kansas City Royals and the Milwaukee Brewers host the St. Louis Cardinals.
Sports bettors wanting to get in on the action without sweating through an entire nine-inning showdown 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.
- 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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Wednesday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Pittsburgh Pirates (+160) at Chicago Cubs (-190)
Starting Pitchers: Domingo German vs. Shota Imanaga
The trends are too hard to ignore. An NRFI wager has cashed in 45 of the Pirates’ 70 away games (64.3%) and 43 of the Cubs’ 67 home games (64.2%). The first inning has also finished scoreless in seven of the 12 matchups between these foes this campaign. The fact the Pirates and Cubs both rank in the top half of the league in first-inning ERA and the bottom half in first-inning runs scored per contest is icing on the cake.
Left-hander Shota Imanaga draws the nod for the Cubs on Wednesday. The Japan native has exited the opening frame unscathed in nine of his last 11 starts and has logged an impressive 0.96 WHIP in 13 outings at Wrigley Field. It’s worth mentioning Imanaga fired seven shutout innings in his only previous clash with the Pirates on May 18. Facing a subpar offense he has picked apart before works in his favor.
That leaves the result of this pick down to journeyman Domingo German. The 32-year-old has been reliable outside of PNC Park, posting a 2.40 ERA across 15 innings. Limiting hard contact will be crucial against a powerful Cubs lineup. Well, German has been tagged for an average exit velocity of 32.7% so far, which is notably below the MLB average of 38.8%. Root for him to induce a few lazy ground balls or flyouts.
Bet: NRFI (Odds Not Posted Yet)
Philadelphia Phillies (-126) at Toronto Blue Jays (+108)
Starting Pitchers: Cristopher Sanchez vs. Bowden Francis
One of the best concepts about baseball is that the slate is wiped clean every day. The Phillies and Blue Jays combined for 19 runs on 34 hits at Rogers Centre on Tuesday night. However, there’s a lot to like about the chances of pitching prevailing in the closing contest of this interleague series. That’s because Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sanchez (9-9, 3.49 ERA) and Toronto’s Bowden Francis (8-3, 3.66 ERA) will be on the mound.
Francis has been a revelation for manager John Schneider’s club. The rookie was named the American League pitcher of the month for August thanks to a standout 1.05 ERA and 0.41 WHIP recorded over five starts (4-1 record). Shutting down Philly will be no easy task, but Francis has tallied 17 strikeouts and surrendered just two knocks in his last 15 innings of work. Bettors would be smart to continue riding that momentum.
Playing alongside the likes of Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola has allowed Sanchez to remain under the radar. The nasty southpaw possesses a changeup that downright embarrasses those at the plate and he has ridden it to a stellar 1.73 first-inning ERA (26 starts). Toronto checks in 25th with a .671 OPS against left-handed pitching this year. It’s a weakness Sanchez should have no trouble exploiting right away.
Bet: NRFI (-122)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: