MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks: Dodgers vs. Yankees (Wednesday)

The 2024 World Series continues with Game 5 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees on Wednesday night. The Yankees aim to send this series back to California after their 11-4 Game 4 victory kept championship hopes alive. Meanwhile, the Dodgers hope to put a disappointing bullpen game behind them and clinch a title on the road. The crowd is going to be rocking in the Bronx.

Bettors wanting to get in on the action without sweating through the entire contest 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

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

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Los Angeles Dodgers (+120) at New York Yankees (-142)

Starting Pitchers: Jack Flaherty vs. Gerrit Cole

Wednesday presents a right-handed pitching rematch from Game 1. Los Angeles hands the ball to Jack Flaherty as New York trusts Gerrit Cole to get the job done. Early runs were hard to come by when these two last took the mound. There were no runs scored and only three hits tallied over the first four innings of what ended up a 6-3 Dodgers win. Hitters were getting sent back to the dugout left and right. Some key trends point to more success for a pair of hurlers who thrive when the pressure is steep.

Cole finished the regular season with a stellar 1.06 first-inning ERA across 17 starts. The six-time All-Star has followed that brilliance by holding his opponent scoreless during the opening frame in each of his four playoff outings. Take note that Cole has limited the L.A. trio of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez to a .236 batting average through 72 at-bats. Facing the red-hot Freddie Freeman will be tough, but there’s a good chance Cole can pitch around him with the bases empty.

Experience is something Flaherty can also lean on. Juan Soto has recorded one extra-base knock in 18 plate appearances against Flaherty and Aaron Judge struck out in all three of his showdowns with the 29-year-old righty in Game 1. Overall, Flaherty has not given up a first-inning run in 10 of his 14 starts since joining the Dodgers at the trade deadline. It’s worth mentioning that Flaherty ranks in the 90th percentile or above in strikeout and whiff percentage. An ability to miss bats puts him in a great spot.

Adrenaline will be at an all-time high with the Commissioner’s Trophy hanging in the balance. That kind of energy spike typically causes a pitcher’s velocity or a batter’s aggressiveness to jump. Expect the starters to take advantage by throwing their best stuff versus the opposing lineup’s top sluggers. Rooting for outs isn’t always the most exciting way to go. This is a battle of aces, though, and Flaherty and Cole have shown no reason to fade them. Lock in an NRFI wager for Game 5.

Bet: NRFI (-140)