Monday brings along another loaded MLB slate of games as we dive into our top No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks and predictions. We have 11 games on the Monday schedule and plenty of ways to go with our NRFI predictions.
If you’re unfamiliar with NRFI bets, they’re 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 Reds vs. Giants and the Yankees vs. Tigers matchups. Without further ado, let’s get to my favorite NRFI plays for Monday, April 7th.
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Team View
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Matchup View
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Monday’s Best MLB No Runs First Innings (NRFI) Picks
(All odds courtesy FanDuel Sportsbook)
Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants
Starting Pitchers: Hunter Greene vs. Logan Webb
Our first NRFI pick today takes us to a National League matchup between the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds. Based on their track records, the starting pitchers in this game immediately point to a scoreless first inning. Let's follow the trends.
Reds starter Hunter Greene entered this season as a dark horse contender for the National League Cy Young. He's off to a good start with two good outings to begin the year. Greene has also thrown a scoreless first inning in both of his starts thus far.
This is nothing new for Greene, who tossed a scoreless first inning in 22 of his 26 starts last year. He also allowed just a .174 batting average in his opening frames. In 2023, the Cincinnati right-hander posted an elite 20-2 NRFI record with a .017 batting average against and a 0.41 ERA in the first inning.
Even on the road today, Greene's track record to begin starts is impossible to ignore. Plus, he'll face a Giants offense batting .115 (29th in MLB) with a .217 wOBA (26th) in the first inning this season.
Meanwhile, San Francisco starter Logan Webb faces a Reds offense hitting .212 (21st) with a 35.1% strikeout rate (29th) in the first inning thus far. Webb tossed a scoreless first frame in 22 out of 33 starts last year (67%). He also posted a 2.83 ERA at home compared to a 4.11 ERA on the road.
Bank on Greene and Webb to combine for the NRFI to cash. It helps that we get this game in the pitcher-friendly confines of Oracle Park as well.
Pick: NRFI (-150)
New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers
Starting Pitchers: Carlos Rodon vs. Casey Mize
We only have one afternoon MLB game on Monday as the New York Yankees visit the Detroit Tigers. So, why not get some action on the first inning? Both offenses and the starting pitchers suggest some fireworks right away in this game as we target the YRFI (Yes Runs First Inning).
The Yankees and Tigers have been two of the MLB's top first-inning offenses this season so far. Detroit is hitting .489 (first) with a .551 wOBA (second) in the opening frame. New York, meanwhile, is hitting .333 (third) with a .560 wOBA (first). They're both crushing in the first inning right now.
As for the pitchers, both starters have struggled to limit runs early on. Yankees starter Carlos Rodon allowed 24 total first-inning runs across 32 starts last year for a 6.47 ERA. In 2023, Rodon had an 11.08 ERA in the first inning with an 8-5 NRFI record. He just allowed two runs in the opening frame to Arizona last time out.
Tigers starter Casey Mize allowed a run in the first inning in half of his 20 starts last season. He also had a 7.20 ERA and .330 batting average allowed in his opening frames. Mize has a ton of talent, but those issues to begin outings are worrisome, especially against the dangerous Yankees lineup.
Grab the YRFI for this game and bank on either Mize or Rodon getting into trouble early. Notably, the Tigers and Yankees have a combined 6-12 NRFI record this year.
Pick: YRFI (-104)
