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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Sunday (7/23)

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We're onto the Sunday slate of games, and I'm heading to the prop sheet. Let's sweat it out together with the most exciting prop on the board: the NRFI. Here are my top three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets for today's action. 

MLB YTD: 67-121 (-3.70 units)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

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

Colorado Rockies vs. Miami Marlins

The Marlins are still winless since the All-Star Break, as they've dropped all eight games. They'll turn to Jesus Luzardo as they attempt to avoid the brooms this afternoon. The Rockies opt for Ty Blach in this National League tilt scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET from LoanDepot Park in Miami, FL.

Luzardo has been a force at home this year, where he owns a 2.43 ERA, and opponents are hitting just .200 against him. In three starts this month, the southpaw has posted a 2.20 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. As for Blach, he hasn't been that great this year, as he enters with a 6.75 ERA and 1.95 WHIP. However, the left-hander has two consecutive scoreless outings over 3.0 innings pitched.

I think it's worth a shot to play the NRFI, considering the Marlins are the worst offensive team in the 1st inning this year, scoring just 19.2% of the time. Miami's offense has failed to score in eight straight games.

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-130)

Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins

The Twins look to break out the brooms on Sunday, and they'll go for their eighth win in 10 tries since the All-Star Break. The series finale features a pitching matchup between Lucas Gioltio and Bailey Ober. This one gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET from Target Field in Minneapolis, MN.

I'm rolling with the NRFI in this divisional tilt, and the main reason is the head-to-head numbers with the starting pitchers. Over 156 at-bats, the Twins are slashing just .199/.273/.385 against Giolito. Only 11 of those 156 at-bats have gone for extra-base hits. As for Ober, the Sox are slashing .158/.179/.289 against him over 76 at-bats. 

Chicago's offense has been one of the worst units when it comes to scoring runs in the first inning this year. They've plated a run just 23.2% of the time, which is the fourth-lowest mark in the MLB. Minnesota is a tad higher at 29.3% (14th-lowest), so they're about average. Considering the pitching matchup, I think we'll see a clean first inning today in Minneapolis. 

Bet: No Runs First Inning (-120)

New York Mets vs. Boston Red Sox

Tonight's Sunday Night Baseball showdown features an interleague tilt between the Mets and Red Sox. This is a rubber match and the pitching matchup pits Carlos Carrasco against Brennan Bernardino. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Fenway Park in Boston, MA. 

I'm riding with the plus-money payout that comes with the NRFI here. Mainly, it's due to the head-to-head numbers that Carrasco has against the Sox. The current roster is slashing just .200/.294/.367 over 30 at-bats. Furthermore, the right-hander has been better away from Citi Field this year, where he owns a 3.86 ERA. 

As for Bernardino, the Southpaw enters this game with a 2.48 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. On top of his overall success, he'll have a favorable matchup against a Mets squad that has struggled mightily recently. Over the last 15 days, New York is 30th in team batting average (.197) and 28th in OPS (.633). It's also worth noting that Bernardino is typically a reliever, so he'll likely only need to throw one inning tonight. Look for him to elevate his game for the short stint on the bump. 

Bet: No Runs First Inning (+105)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Sunday:


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