Saturday brings along another full MLB slate of games as we dive into top No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks and predictions.
If you’re unfamiliar with NRFI bets, it’s pretty simple. We’re betting on whether or not any runs will be scored in the first inning by either team. Both starting pitchers have to pitch a scoreless first inning for the bet to cash.
For Saturday, we have two NRFI picks featuring the Cubs vs. Diamondbacks and the Athletics vs. Mariners matchups. Without further ado, let’s get to my favorite NRFI plays for Saturday, March 29th.
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Team View
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Matchup View
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- MLB Consensus Odds
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Saturday’s Best MLB No Runs First Innings (NRFI) Picks
(All odds courtesy FanDuel Sportsbook)
Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks
Starting Pitchers: Shota Imanaga vs. Brandon Pfaadt
Shota Imanaga is coming off an impressive rookie campaign for the Chicago Cubs. The right-hander posted a 2.91 ERA, 15-3 record and 1.02 WHIP last season as an All-Star and top-five Cy Young Award finisher. He was also excellent in the first innings of his outings.
Imanaga held opponents scoreless in the first inning in 25 out of 29 starts last year (86.2%). He allowed just a .131 batting average and a .211 on-base percentage (OBP) in those opening frames. The Cubs righty is already off to a good start in the NRFI department this season, tossing a scoreless first inning with zero hits allowed in his first outing against the Dodgers in Japan.
On the other side, we have Brandon Pfaadt on the mound for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pfaadt was strong in the first inning last year with a 25-7 NRFI record (78.1%) and a .207 batting average allowed in his opening frames. He also boasted a 16-3 NRFI mark over his final 19 starts of the season.
This first-inning success has become a trend for Pfaadt in his short career. He had a solid 13-5 NRFI record (72.2%) during his rookie 2023 campaign as well. Plus, the right-hander held opponents scoreless in the first inning in 12 out of 16 home outings (75%) last year. Let's bank on him carrying that over into 2025.
Pick: NRFI (-104)
Athletics at Seattle Mariners
Starting Pitchers: Osvaldo Bido vs. Bryce Miller
Saturday night's matchup between the Athletics and Mariners features a pair of young, up-and-coming pitchers. We get Osvaldo Bido on the mound for the A's and Bryce Miller starting for Seattle. Both pitchers point us towards the NRFI tonight.
Bryce Miller tossed a scoreless first inning in 26 of his 31 starts last year (83.9%) with just a .198 batting average allowed in his opening frames. The Mariners' right-hander posted a 20-5 NRFI record two seasons ago as well. Miller finished his 2024 campaign strong with a 13-2 NRFI mark and 1.94 ERA over his final 15 regular-season starts.
Meanwhile, Osvaldo Bido can match Miller's scoreless first inning as well. In nine starts last season, Bido had a solid 7-2 NRFI record with a .212 batting average against in the first inning. The Athletics righty has posted a scoreless first frame in 14 out of 18 starts over the past two seasons combined. That's a strong track record.
Grab the NRFI in this American League West matchup. Even as younger arms, Bido and Miller have both proven they can consistently go unscathed in the first inning.
Pick: NRFI (-140)
