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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Saturday (4/8)

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For Saturday’s MLB slate, I have two NRFI options for you, along with my first YRFI of the season.

Saturday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning Bets

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Houston Astros at Minnesota Twins, 2:10 PM ET – Luis Garcia vs Joe Ryan

This play is more about these two offenses rather than the starting pitching. Both Minnesota and Houston have struggled at the plate early in 2023. Through the first week of the new campaign, the Twins and Astros rank in the bottom ten in team batting average, wOBA, and wRC+.

As for the starters, Garcia is looking for his first win while Joe Ryan is 1-0. Despite Luis Garcia getting roughed up in his first start he did not allow a run in the first inning. 

Take the NRFI in this matchup.

Pick: NRFI (-115)

Texas Rangers at Chicago Cubs, 4:05 PM ET – Martin Perez vs Justin Steele

Justin Steele pitched an absolute gem in his first outing of the 2023 season. Over six innings he gave up just three hits and no runs while striking out eight. Steele is slowly becoming one of the better pitchers in the MLB. Dating back to last June, he has only given up more than three earned runs in just one start.

As for Rangers' starter Martin Perez, he also had a fantastic first outing. Perez did give up eight hits but only allowed one earned run over 6.2 innings while striking out eight Phillies batters.

Combined Steele and Perez had an NRFI record of 46-9 in 2022, and they are off to a 2-0 start this season.

Pick: NRFI (-155)

Toronto Blue Jays at Los Angeles Angels, 9:07 PM ET – Jose Berrios vs Tyler Anderson

As I mentioned in my HR props article, Jose Berrios has not been good. Dating back to last season, Berrios has allowed at least four earned runs in six of his previous 12 starts. 

In his first outing of 2023, Jose Berrios allowed eight earned runs on nine hits over 5.2 innings against the Kansas City Royals, including three runs in the first inning. 

To make matters even worse for the Toronto starter, Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Brandon Drury, and Hunter Renfroe all have a career batting average of .400 or better against Berrios.

Pick: YRFI (-125)

Also, check out our other best bets for Saturday:


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