MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks: Dodgers vs. Mets (Wednesday)
The 2024 MLB postseason continues with Game 3 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) on Wednesday night. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are tied 1-1 as the series shifts to Citi Field. The Dodgers remain the favorite to advance to the World Series on FanDuel Sportsbook (-156). Of course, those odds will fluctuate with each passing contest.
Bettors wanting to get in on the action without sweating through an entire game can turn to an MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) ticket for a quick result. Here's a look at whether locking in an NRFI wager is the move to make 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
Join our new MLB Betting Group to share bets and compete in leaderboards >>
Wednesday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Dodgers (-108) at New York Mets (-108)
Starting Pitchers: Walker Buehler vs. Luis Severino
Early runs have been pivotal in this series. A two-run single by first baseman Max Muncy in the first inning of Game 1 gave Los Angeles a lead it never surrendered. A leadoff home run by shortstop Francisco Lindor in Game 2 immediately put New York on top in its road win. Note that these two teams can create scoring opportunities in various ways. The Dodgers have more walks (six) and the Mets have more doubles (three) in the first inning than any other squads during postseason play.
The offenses have a great shot at staying hot considering who will be on the mound. Walker Buehler draws the start for L.A. despite his shaky 2024 campaign. The 30-year-old finished the regular season with a 5.38 ERA and 1.55 WHIP across 16 starts (1-6 record). Struggles haunted Buehler from the get-go as he posted a dismal 8.44 ERA and allowed a .357 batting average in the opening frame. His playoff outing against the Padres (six earned runs in five innings) certainly wasn’t a confidence boost, either.
Right-hander Luis Severino opposes Buehler. Severino has been a welcome surprise for the Mets as his 2.96 home ERA and 182.0 total innings beat those marks from the rest of the rotation. However, it’s hard to ignore his numbers when facing the Dodgers’ stars. Mookie Betts has logged a .425 on-base percentage and tallied five extra-base knocks in 40 plate appearances versus Severino. Shohei Ohtani has gone 3-for-6 with a home run and a double, while Teoscar Hernandez has also crushed a homer.
This contest screams Yes Runs First Inning (YRFI). After all, a YRFI wager has cashed in eight of Buehler’s last 12 starts and three of Severino’s past five playoff starts. Overall, the first inning has featured someone crossing home plate in 17 of 31 games this postseason. Batters have thrived off the added adrenaline, while hurlers have needed time to settle in. Sit back and root for the firepower of these lineups to come through in Game 3. Throw a sprinkle on over 1.5 runs scored at +260 odds, too.
Bet: YRFI (-108)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: