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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Sunday (5/21)

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The MLB offers up a stacked 16-game slate on Sunday, with the extra game coming due to a rainout between the Guardians and Mets on Saturday. The two sides will play one game at 1:40 p.m. ET and reconvene for a second on ESPN for Sunday Night Baseball.

Below I've listed my top three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) plays for today's action! Let's close out the weekend with some winners.  

MLB YTD: 33-50 (+12.07 Units)

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

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies

The Cubs and Phillies are set for a rubber match in the City of Brotherly Love this afternoon. Neither game has been close as Chicago pummeled Philadelphia 10-1 in the opener, while the Fightin' Phils bounced back with a 12-3 win yesterday. First pitch for the finale is set for 1:35 p.m. ET from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. 

Taijuan Walker gets the nod for the Phillies as he gears up to make his 10th start of the season. The right-hander comes into this one at 3-2 with a 6.53 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 41.1 innings pitched. However, he's been slightly better at home, bringing those numbers down to 4.91 and 1.23, respectively. Walker will face a Cubs team that's slashing .245/.310/.302 against him over 53 at-bats. Just three of their 13 hits have been for extra bases, all doubles. Most importantly, the big guns of Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, and Ian Happ are a combined 3-18 (.167) against him. 

As for Steele, he's been sharp this year and enters with a 6-1 record, 2.44 ERA, and 1.03 WHIP. The current Philadelphia roster is 7-27 (.259) against him, with two home runs and two doubles. However, they've struggled overall against left-handers this year as they're just 23rd in both team batting average (.237) and OPS (.690). With Steele's current form, I think he can keep a clean first frame. 

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-110)

Seattle Mariners vs. Atlanta Braves 

Seattle got back in the win column with a 7-3 victory over Atlanta last night, making today's game a rubber match in Atlanta. The Mariners will turn to George Kirby, while the Braves opt for Jared Shuster. This interleague showdown is slated for 1:35 p.m. ET from Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. 

Shuster hasn't found success over the first three starts of his Major League career. The southpaw is currently 0-2 with a 7.24 ERA and 1.90 WHIP over 13.2 innings pitched. But he'll have a favorable matchup against a Mariners team that has been horrendous against lefties this year. The M's are just 28th in team batting average (.219) and 27th in OPS (.660) against LHP. 

Kirby, on the other hand, comes into the finale at 5-2 with a 2.45 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. This right-hander continues to develop into a high-end arm. It's simply the head-to-head numbers that make me comfortable backing Kirby against this vaunted Braves lineup. Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley are a combined 0-8 (.000) against him. In fact, the team as a whole is just 5-23 (.217), and all five hits are singles from Sean Murphy (5-9, .556). NRFI is the play here.

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-105)

Miami Marlins vs. San Francisco Giants 

Runs have been at a premium this series as the Giants won 4-3 on Friday while the Marlins took game two 1-0 on Saturday. Hopefully, we cruise to an NRFI like yesterday's matchup between Braxton Garrett and Logan Webb. This National League clash is slated for 4:05 p.m. ET from Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA. 

Alex Wood gets the nod today, making his sixth start of the 2023 campaign. The left-hander is 0-0 with a 2.87 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. He's excelled in two home starts this season, posting a 1.93 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 9.1 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting just .152 against him at Oracle. Wood also has great head-to-head numbers, where the Fish are slashing .186/.230/.271 against him over 70 at-bats. 

As for Luzardo, he's been a very serviceable option for Miami this year. The left-hander is 3-2 with a 3.16 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. He's posted two consecutive quality starts, holding the Diamondbacks and Nationals to two runs over 12.0 innings of work. Aside from Wilmer Flores, who is 5-8 (.625) with five singles, there isn't much of a threat in this Giants lineup in terms of head-to-head matchups. The roster as a whole is 7-27 (.259), which means just 2-19 (.105), excluding Flores. As long as Flores doesn't go yard, I feel comfortable locking in NRFI here. 

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-130)

Also make sure to check out our other best bets for Sunday:


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