MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Sunday (5/26)
If you’re looking for some quick-hitting action this afternoon, you’ve come to the right place. Below I’ve listed my three favorite No Runs First Inning (NRFI) plays for today’s 15-game MLB slate.
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Sunday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Baltimore Orioles (-162) vs. Chicago White Sox (+136) | 7.0 (-110/-110)
The Orioles are looking to break out the brooms for a four-game sweep this afternoon, and they’ll turn to Kyle Bradish to get them there. The White Sox opt for Garrett Crochet as they attempt to stop a four-game slide. First pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET from Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Ill.
The sportsbooks are expecting a clean 1st inning on the southside of Chicago this afternoon, pricing this NRFI at -165. It’s a steep price, but with our pitching matchup, I’ll lay the juice. It’s been a rollercoaster ride of a season for Crochet, but he’s trending in the right direction again, having not allowed a run over his last three starts (17.0 IP). In four outings this month (23.0 IP), the left-hander owns a 0.39 ERA and 0.74 WHIP. He’s also back at home, where his ERA sits at 2.41, and opponents are hitting just .182 against him.
As for Bradish, the NRFI is a perfect 4-0 in his four starts this season. The right-hander has looked great since returning from an elbow injury, posting a 2.41 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 18.2 innings. He’ll take on a Sox offense that’s literally the worst in the league, ranking dead last in team batting average (.216), OPS (.609), and home runs (36). Both pitchers are primed for big outings today, so I’ll play the NRFI in the Windy City.
Bet: NRFI (-165)
Philadelphia Phillies (-225) vs. Colorado Rockies (+185) | 9.5 (-115/-105)
The Phillies six-run 9th inning propelled them to an 8-4 win over the Rockies last night, setting up a rubber match in Denver this afternoon. This National League clash features a pitching matchup between Ranger Suarez and Cal Quantrill. First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET from Coors Field in Denver, Colo.
Am I crazy for playing an NRFI at the hitter-friendly Coors Field? Potentially, but I think the numbers support taking a shot at a scoreless 1st inning. First off, we have Suarez going for the Fightin’ Phils, and he’s been arguably the best pitcher in baseball this year. The southpaw comes in at 9-0 (most wins) with a 1.36 ERA (2nd) and 0.79 WHIP (1st). Suarez has suppressed Colorado’s offense throughout his career, limiting the current roster to a slash line of .230/.277/.262 over 61 at-bats.
Speaking of shutting down offenses, Quantrill has done just that to the Phillies. Over 67 at-bats, the current Philadelphia roster is slashing .194/.239/.373 against the right-hander. Quantrill brings in a 3.59 ERA (50th) and 1.25 WHIP (60th), which are decent numbers considering he makes half of his starts in the Mile High City. Let’s take a shot at the NRFI!
Bet: NRFI (-110)
Chicago Cubs (+114) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (-135) | 7.5 (-102/-118)
The night wraps up in the Midwest as the Cardinals host the Cubs for Sunday Night Baseball. Javier Assad will toe the rubber for Chicago, while St. Louis counters with Sonny Gray. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET from Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Mo.
Both of these clubs have been profitable to the NRFI this season, with the Cubs coming in at 29-22 while the Cardinals sit at 26-23. With Gray getting the nod for the Red Birds, I feel pretty confident saying we’ll escape the 1st without any runs scored. The right-hander comes into this game at 6-2 with a 2.87 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over eight starts (47.0 IP). Gray has limited the top three batters in the order, Mike Tauchman (1-2), Seiya Suzuki (0-1), and Cody Bellinger (1-5), to a combined 2-8 (.250) throughout his career, with both hits being singles.
As for Assad, he’s putting together a really solid season out of the gate, coming in at 4-0 with a 1.70 ERA (3rd) and 1.11 WHIP (39th). The right-hander also has solid numbers against St. Louis’ top-of-the-order, limiting Brenden Donovan (1-5), Lars Nootbaar (2-6), Paul Goldschmidt (0-4), and Nolan Arenado (0-6) to a combined 3-21 (.143). Assad has been lights out in four starts this month (21.0 IP), registering a 1.29 ERA. Let’s play the NRFI in this primetime divisional matchup.
Bet: NRFI (-135)