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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Sunday (4/2)

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We're set for another jam-packed slate of baseball Sunday as all 30 teams are set to take the field. Let's dive into my top three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) plays as the 2023 Opening Weekend comes to a close.

MLB YTD: 4-2 (+2.1 Units)

Also, take a look at our other best bets for Sunday:

Check out MLB Home Run Odds for all players in today's games >>

Sunday's Best No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals

The Minnesota Twins picked up a pair of 2-0 wins against the Royals to start the year, and they'll turn to Joe Ryan to complete the sweep on Sunday. The Royals counter with Brad Keller in this American League Central showdown scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

Ryan's coming off of a breakout year with the Twins, where he posted a 13-8 record to go along with a 3.55 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 27 starts. He has the Royals to thank for a portion of that success, as the right-hander was a perfect 4-0 against them. Ryan limited Kansas City to a .159 batting average and owned a 1.13 ERA over 24.0 innings of work against them in 2022.

Keller, on the other hand, had a forgettable 2022 and finished at 6-14. The big right-hander completed the year with a 5.09 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 22 starts and 35 total appearances. However, he has found success against Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, limiting the duo to a combined 3-19 (.158).

Now, leadoff man Max Kepler is 7-19 (.368) against him with a pair of home runs. But Kepler is off to a 0-9 (.000) start this year, so it's clear that he's having a tough time adjusting to the leadoff spot. If Keller can at least keep the ball in the yard against Kepler, I think we'll have a great chance to cash this NRFI play.

Bet: No Runs First Inning (NRFI) (-125)

Los Angeles Angels vs. Oakland Athletics

Heading out west, we have a matinee rubber match between the Angels and Athletics. Tyler Anderson gets the nod for the Halos, while the A's opt for the left-handed Ken Waldichuk. This one gets underway at 4:07 p.m. ET from the RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, CA.

Anderson had a redemptive season with the Dodgers in 2022, posting a 15-5 record with a 2.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 28 starts. The southpaw inked a three-year, $39 million contract with the Angels, hoping to provide some rotation depth for Los Angeles finally. As for his head-to-head numbers, he has dominated the lowly A's in his career. In 29 at-bats against the current roster, they're slashing .138/.219/.172 against him.

While it's probably considered unwise to play an NRFI against the Trout-Ohtani duo, this may be one window where it makes sense. Waldichuk came up with Oakland last year, and one of his seven starts was a late-season gem against the Angels. He tossed 7.0 scoreless frames, allowing just three hits and a walk. Ohtani went 1-3 with a single, while Trout was 1-2 with a double and a walk. If Waldichuk can keep those two at bay, he has the potential for another stellar outing against Los Angeles.

Bet: No Runs First Inning (NRFI) (-140)

Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres

The Padres will attempt to salvage a series split Sunday afternoon when they send Seth Lugo to the bump against the visiting Rockies. Colorado will turn to Austin Gomber in the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET from Petco Park in San Diego, CA.

As you typically see with Colorado pitchers, they almost always have inflated ERAs. That's one of the perils that come with putting on a Rockies uniform every fifth day. It holds true with Gomber, who was 5-7 last year with a 5.56 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. However, the southpaw posted great numbers against the Padres last year. In one start and three total appearances, Gomber limited them to a .200 batting average and surrendered just one earned run over 9.1 frames (0.96 ERA).

As for Lugo, he's set to make his first start since the 2020 campaign with the Mets. The right-hander worked out of New York's bullpen last year, making 62 appearances and posting a 3.60 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 65.0 IP. The top four of Yonathan Daza, Kris Bryant, Charlie Blackmon, and C.J. Cron are a combined 6-21 (.285) against Lugo. But, in three relief outings against the Rockies last year, the veteran hurler held them scoreless over 4.0 innings of work.

There are some stars at the top of these lineups, but I feel the coin-flip odds that come with NRFI here are worth the risk considering the stats. Let's ride with No Runs First Inning in this N.L. West clash.

Bet: No Runs First Inning (NRFI) (-110)

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