It's Opening Day. It's been a long, cold winter, but the start of the MLB season means spring is here, the beers are cold and we can make some NRFI bets. NRFI stands for No-Run First Inning. It's a popular betting market where gamblers wager on whether the first inning of an MLB game will end with zero runs scored by either team. Pretty simple.
These bets are the best because they're quick - sometimes you'll know the outcome within minutes. If you've done your research, NRFI bets can provide an edge over other markets. I'm here to help provide that edge. As always, shop around for the best odds and be on the lookout for lineup announcements, which can change a lot.
Let's dive into these games.
- 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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Thursday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
2024 MLB Season: 29-23 | Last Time: 0-0
Pittsburgh Pirates at Miami Marlins
Starting Pitchers: Paul Skenes vs. Sandy Alcantara
Without any data available to start the year, you have to look at historical numbers, and these are some options for limiting early runs. Paul Skenes, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, was the obvious selection for Opening Day starter and was deadly to start games with a sub-2.00 ERA in the opening frame last season. Skenes performed much better on the road with a 1.32 ERA and favored day games. All the splits are in his favor for this matchup.
For Sandy Alcantara, we haven't seen him in over a year after needing Tommy John surgery, but Pittsburgh was one of the three worst teams at scoring in the first inning last season. Lineups and rosters change, but in a day game to open the season, I'm comfortable fading the Pirates’ offense. It's a juiced line without a doubt, but let’s start the season with a win, shall we?
Play: NRFI (-175 on ESPN Bet)
Milwaukee Brewers vs. New York Yankees
Starting Pitchers: Freddy Peralta vs. Carlos Rodon
I can't give an insanely juiced NRFI and not follow up with a little bit of risk, now can I? The market seems to be a bit ahead of the curve on Yes Runs First Inning (YRFI) for Brewers-Yanks, as the odds are the shortest for a run to be scored across the markets for this game. But it makes sense.
Carlos Rodon owned a struggling 6.47 ERA in the opening frame last year while Freddy Peralta sat at a 5.06. Both teams offer solid offenses, with New York a top-five team at scoring early a year ago. Shop around here as I'm sure you can find longer odds because this game has the potential to have a lot of early fireworks.
Play: YRFI (+105 on BetMGM)
Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago White Sox
Starting Pitchers: Yusei Kikuchi vs. Sean Burke
The White Sox-Angels contest rounds out the NRFI picks for Opening Day, featuring Yusei Kikuchi facing off against Sean Burke. Kikuchi has usually found success navigating the first inning, often setting a strong defensive tone for his team.
Burke, while less established, was pretty lights out in his 2024 campaign, with a 1.42 ERA and not allowing a first-inning run in any of his three starts. The offensive context further supports an NRFI bet, as neither team has been known for explosive starts.
The White Sox’s lineup has been plagued by inconsistency, often taking time to find its rhythm in games. Despite having potential, the Angels rely heavily on a few key players who don’t always produce immediately. This combination of capable pitchers and offenses typically needing time to warm up creates an ideal scenario for a scoreless first inning.
Honestly, both teams might need a whole month to warm up to any offense.
Play: NRFI (-135 on Bet365)
