Monday brings along another full MLB slate of games as we dive into top No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks and predictions. We have 14 games on the Monday schedule and plenty of ways to go for NRFI predictions.
If you're unfamiliar with NRFI bets, it's pretty simple. We're betting on whether or not any runs will be scored in the first inning by either team. Both starting pitchers have to pitch a scoreless first inning for the bet to cash.
For Monday, we have two NRFI picks featuring the Mets vs. Marlins and the Rangers vs. Reds matchups. Without further ado, let's get to my favorite NRFI plays for Monday, March 31.
- 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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Monday's Best MLB No Runs First Innings (NRFI) Picks
(All odds courtesy FanDuel Sportsbook)
New York Mets at Miami Marlins
Starting Pitchers: David Peterson vs. Cal Quantrill
Our first NRFI pick today brings us to an NL East matchup between the New York Mets and Miami Marlins. We have David Peterson on the mound for New York and Cal Quantrill throwing for Miami. Both starters should combine for a scoreless first inning.
Peterson had a near-flawless 20-1 NRFI record last season with a .043 ERA and a .171 batting average allowed in the first inning. The Mets' starter has also tossed a scoreless opening frame in 31 of his past 34 starts. These trends are impossible to ignore.
This is a favorable matchup for the left-handed Peterson. The Marlins had a .280 wOBA vs. lefties last year and a .282 wOBA in the split so far this season. Meanwhile, Peterson will look to continue his impressive second half of last season when he posted a 2.41 ERA and 2.77 FIP across his final 11 starts.
On the other side, Quantrill brings in encouraging numbers as well. The Miami starter compiled an excellent 24-5 NRFI record last year with a 2.79 ERA and a .224 batting average allowed in the first inning.
Those are even more impressive considering Quantrill made half of his starts at Coors Field as a member of the Rockies. The top of the Mets lineup is dangerous, but at least Quantrill gets to throw in the pitcher-friendly LoanDepot Park tonight.
Pick: NRFI (-113)
Texas Rangers at Cincinnati Reds
Starting Pitchers: Kumar Rocker vs. Brady Singer
It wasn't a foregone conclusion that Kumar Rocker would begin the season in the Texas Rangers' rotation. Well, the 25-year-old won a starting job in Spring Training, and he'll make his first start of the season tonight.
Rocker boasts some electric stuff with a high-90s fastball, a filthy slider, and a looping curveball. He can confound opposing hitters the first time or two through the order. That was evident last year when Rocker didn't allow a single run in the first inning across 10 starts combined between the majors and minors, including a 3-0 NRFI mark in three MLB outings.
The Rangers' right-hander had a shaky spring with a 9.00 ERA across five outings. Yet, we only need him to be effective in the first inning for this prop. On the road in Cincinnati is tough, but Rocker should get the job done based on his track record last year.
Meanwhile, Reds starter Brady Singer brings in some encouraging NRFI trends. He tossed a scoreless first inning in 26-of-32 starts last season (81%) with a 1.97 ERA and a .217 batting average allowed in his opening frames. Notably, this was a stark contrast to 2023, when Singer allowed 22 first-inning runs across 29 starts. However, that seems like an outlier since he posted a 21-3 NRFI record with a 1.12 first-inning ERA in the 2022 season.
Bank on Rocker and Singer combining to cash the NRFI tonight in Cincinnati. The hitter-friendly ballpark and some threatening tops of the lineups present risks, but there's value in rooting for a scoreless first inning.
Pick: NRFI (-122)
