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MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/26)

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It’s another day in the MLB, meaning another day for first-inning bets. Here are my favorite for Wednesday, April 26.

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Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Texas Rangers vs. Cincinnati Reds

Jon Gray vs. Graham Ashcraft

Here we have a matchup with two pitchers who have not given up a first-inning run yet this season. Both starting pitchers are perfect regarding NRFI, giving us a combined record of 8-0. 

Rangers’ starter, Jon Gray, is 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA and has been a solid back-end piece to Texas’ rotation. Gray has been susceptible to the long ball this season but can usually keep the opposing offense under control the first time through the lineup. After that, that’s when the wheels start to fall off. But with the NRFI, we just need to worry about the first three hitters.

For the Cincinnati Reds, Graham Ashcraft gets the nod. Ashcraft could be argued as the best Reds pitcher thus far in 2023. He is 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA and 21 strikeouts. He has gone at least five innings in each of his four starts, giving up two runs at the most. 

Bet: NRFI (-120)

Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets

Mackenzie Gore vs. Kodai Senga

Mackenzie Gore was once recognized as an elite pitching prospect. But following some early struggle, the Padres shipped him to the National in the Juan Soto trade. This season Gore is proving why he was such a highly-touted prospect. 

To start the 2023 season, Gore is 2-1 with a 3/43 year with 25 strikeouts. Over his first four starts, he has only allowed three earned runs or less and is averaging six strikeouts per game. His only fault is that his control can vanish at points, and he starts handing out free passes. His BB/9 is 6.00, one of the highest in baseball. But despite giving up 3.5 walks per start, he has done a great job limiting the damage.  

For the Mets, newcomer Kodai Senga has also been impressive. Over his first four starts, he is 3-0 with an ERA of 4.29 and 25 strikeouts. His last two starts have been shaky, allowing a combined eight and four home runs. His command can sometimes vanish, giving opposing teams a couple of press passes like Gore.

Yet, luckily for us, we need to worry about just one inning. Gore and Senga have a combined record of 7-1 when looking at NRFIs.

Bet: NRFI (-130)

Check out the rest of Wednesday’s best bets:


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