Best NRFI Bets For Today: No Runs First Inning Picks

Best NRFI Bets Today: July 26

Every day the team at BetQL has you covered with our favorite NRFI picks for today's MLB games. Find which games we love and why we think they are the best NRFI bets for today. You will get our picks, expert analysis, and the best line available. Tail us on our No Runs First Inning picks and let's get six out to cash out!

Mariners at White Sox NRFI (-148, FanDuel)

Yesterday ended in a wash for us, breaking even on our plays. We won our full-unit bet on the Rangers NRFI, but we lost both half-unit plays on the Blue Jays and Angels games. We went 1-1 on quarter-unit wagers, cashing on the Guardians NRFI but losing the Nationals. It has been a week full of YRFIs, and we are still down two units on the week, unfortunately. We have one day left to make it up, so let's see if we can at least break even this week.

Seattle will start RHP George Kirby tonight, who has been exceptional for them this season. He owns a 3.20 ERA, with a 3.20 xERA and 3.27 xFIP. He's pitching pretty much exactly to his expected numbers, so there isn't much regression to speak of here. The White Sox are a disgrace offensively against right-handers, owning the worst offense in baseball with an awful 72 wRC+ against them. They simply don't generate runs often at all. It would be very unlucky for us if Kirby, of all pitchers, were to allow one early.

Chicago has the rookie RHP Drew Thorpe getting the ball, who is definitely due for a bit of regression. He owns an impressive 3.03 ERA, but a 3.59 xERA and 5.18 xFIP, so he isn't as good as he appears. Still, if he is going to keep his lucky hand, the Mariners are an offense that could let him. They have struggled all season against right-handers, owning a 92 wRC+ as a lineup.

Nationals at Cardinals NRFI (-134, BetRivers)

Washington will send LHP MacKenzie Gore to the mound tonight, and he is a positive regression candidate moving forward. He owns a 4.20 ERA, but a 4.02 xERA and 3.77 xFIP, so I expect him to have some good performances coming up. I think this could be one of them, as he gets the Cardinals in their FAR weaker offensive split. They own a 107 wRC+ against right-handers but have really struggled this season against southpaws, with a terrible 79 wRC+ as a lineup. It is very clear that they aren't nearly as good against lefties, so I think Gore can have success.

St. Louis will have RHP Sonny Gray with the ball, who has been very good for them this season. He's also due for some positive regression, owning a 3.54 ERA, but a 3.54 xERA and 2.69 xFIP. The Nationals just got no-hit yesterday against RHP Dylan Cease, and have struggled this season against righties with a 94 wRC+ as a lineup. While Gray won't be throwing a no-hitter (I would assume), he should still find this to be an easier matchup.

Here are some other NRFI bets that I will be playing, but I don't feel are worth a full-unit bet:

Rangers at Blue Jays NRFI for 1/2u: Texas faces a lefty, which is their stronger split, but not enough to where I want to stay away completely here. Toronto has been awful against lefties this season with an 86 wRC+ as a lineup. This one is worth a half-unit bet.

Marlins at Brewers NRFI for 1/2u: Miami has been atrocious against righties all season with a terrible 84 wRC+ as a lineup. They will also get Milwaukee's offense in their weaker split against a lefty, so I like this for a half-unit.

Athletics at Angels NRFI for 1/2u: We lost this one yesterday, but I'm going back to the well. Oakland has been better against lefties this season, so they are in their weaker split here against a righty. Los Angeles has been bad all season against righties with an 89 wRC+ as a lineup, so I'll play this one again.

Pirates at Diamondbacks NRFI for 1/2u: Pittsburgh is another team that has been just awful against right-handers this year, owning an 83 wRC+ as a lineup. They will also catch Arizona's offense in their weaker split against a righty themselves, so this is worth a play.

Cubs at Royals NRFI for 1/4u: Playing this one small. Chicago is in their superior split against a right-hander, while Kansas City is as well. However, neither team is good enough offensively for me to avoid this one completely.

What is a NRFI bet?

In baseball betting, NRFI stands for "No Run First Inning." It's a wager on how many runs will be scored in the first inning, with the focus being on zero runs being scored in the first inning!

Essentially, you're betting for there to be six outs recorded before any runs are scored. NRFI has become a popular betting option because it offers a quick result – you only need to wait for the first inning to be over.

The Best NRFI Teams

Seattle Mariners

Look no further than the Seattle Mariners for a strong NRFI bet today. Their offense has been terrible early in games, averaging a meager .32 runs in the first inning. their pitching staff has been lights out. Starters like Luis Castillo, George Kirby, and Logan Gilbert have been dominant, shutting down opposing batters.

This combination of a slow-starting offense and a lights-out pitching staff has led to a stellar 66% hit rate on NRFI bets for the Mariners this season. With those odds in your favor, the Mariners are a top contender for a scoreless first inning today.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Don't underestimate the Pittsburgh Pirates for a potential NRFI play today. While their overall record might not be inspiring, they've been surprisingly effective in shutting down opponents early.

Their offense, mustering a paltry .34 runs in the first inning, ranks among the worst in baseball. This sluggish start complements their surprisingly strong pitching, particularly in the early going. Starters like Mitch Keller, Martin Perez, and Jared Jones have been stifling opposing bats, limiting them to an average of 4.11 runs per game.

With a potent combination of a weak first-inning offense and surprisingly strong pitching, the Pirates could be a great choice for an NRFI bet today. And considering their low overall scoring, they might even be worth a look for an under total runs wager as well.

Chicago White Sox

Believe it or not, the Chicago White Sox might be a hidden gem for an NRFI bet today. Yes, you read that right. The same White Sox struggling this season boast a surprising strength: shutting down opponents early. While their pitching surrenders a hefty 5.3 runs per game overall, they've managed to keep things tight in the first inning.

The White Sox currently sit at an impressive 24-13 record for NRFI bets, translating to a stellar 65% hit rate. This unexpected success might present some valuable betting opportunities. Considering their overall struggles, you might even snag some favorable odds on an NRFI wager for the White Sox today.

NRFI Betting Tips

Winning NRFI bets requires a keen eye on pitching matchups, team situations, and a tiny bit of luck. If you are looking to be more successful at NRFI bets, here are a few ways to improve your odds:

• Dominant Pitching is Key: Target starting pitchers with a low walk rate and a high strikeout rate. These pitchers limit baserunners and can rack up strikeouts to escape jams quickly. Ideally, these pitchers will have a history of success, not rookies or those coming back from injuries.
• Opposing Lineup Weaknesses: Check for injuries to key hitters, especially at the top of the lineup. A missing power bat can significantly decrease a team's early scoring chances. Additionally, if a team's top hitters are in a slump, it bodes well for an NRFI.
• Consider the Game Conditions: Cold weather or windy ballparks can make hitting difficult, favoring pitchers and potentially leading to fewer runs. Look for games played in ballparks known for being pitcher-friendly.
• Stay Informed: Watch for significant MLB line movement closer to game time. This could indicate a late lineup change favoring the offense, making NRFI less likely.

No Runs First Inning Predictions

Our NRFI bets for today are all about giving you the best shot at a scoreless first inning. We crunch the numbers and analyze pitching matchups relentlessly, but remember, baseball is a wild card. Upsets can happen, even to the best pitchers. We focus on providing insights, not guarantees, so you can place your NRFI bets with confidence and knowledge.

NRFI Betting Tips and Strategies

Want to cash in on MLB's early action? Check out our NRFI betting strategies and turn six little outs into quick wins!

Research the Starting Pitchers:

• Look for pitchers with strong first-inning performances. Check stats like First Inning ERA and strikeouts. Pitchers who consistently get outs early are ideal for NRFI bets.

Analyze Team Offenses:

• Target teams known for slow starts. Some teams struggle to get on base early, which reduces the chance of runs in the first inning. Look for recent batting stats, especially in the first inning.

Consider the Weather:

• Cold weather or windy parks can make hitting tougher, increasing the chance of a scoreless first. Be aware of weather forecasts and ballpark factors.

Shop for Good Odds:

• NRFI odds can vary slightly between sportsbooks. Check betting lines to find the most favorable odds for your chosen game.

Don't Chase Losses:

• Stick to your strategy and avoid trying to win back losses with bigger bets. Losses happen, so be patient and disciplined.

The Best Sportsbooks to bet NRFI

1. DraftKings: Offers a user-friendly interface with a wide range of NRFI betting options and competitive odds.
2. FanDuel: Provides daily NRFI promotions and boosts, making it attractive for maximizing potential returns.
3. Caesars Sportsbook: Rewards bettors with Caesars Rewards points for every NRFI wager, perfect for building long-term value.
4. BetMGM: Known for offering competitive lines and enticing new user bonuses that can be used on NRFI bets.

Need more Betting Picks?

Dive deeper into your betting strategy with BetQL's extensive resources, including:

• MLB Computer Picks: Leverage the power of our advanced model to gain insights on potential winning MLB bets.
• MLB Over/Unders: Find expert analysis and data-driven predictions for MLB total run bets.
• MLB Prop Picks: Discover BetQL's expert picks for various player and game-specific MLB prop bets.
• MLB Public Betting Picks: See where the money is flowing and gain insights into public sentiment on upcoming MLB games.