Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today (Braves vs Cubs Among Matchups With Value)

I'll admit, my performance in No Run First Inning (NRFI) and Yes Run First Inning (YRFI) bets the last few days has been downright horrible at best.

But that just means I'm due, and with 16 games on today's MLB slate I'm ready to find the diamonds in the rough to celebrate our Saturday with some dollars.

Using the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook, here are my favorite NRFI/YRFI bets of the day:

Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today

Braves vs Cubs NRFI (-125)

With a stellar pitching matchup, the lowest total on the board and heavy winds coming in from center field, the first game of the day is a perfect spot to bet the NRFI. Cubs' starter Justin Steele has allowed just one earned run in the first over 12 starts and has a 1.29 ERA in June.

Steele has surrendered only two home runs all season and issued zero walks in his last start, so he should take care of business against an Atlanta lineup that scores in the first inning in only 22.58% of their road games.

Kyle Wright is a strong pitcher as well, holding his opponent scoreless in the opening frame in seven of his last eight starts. He limited the Cubs to one run over seven innings back in April and I expect more of the same today.

Marlins vs Mets NRFI (-125)

I like the NRFI here for the same reasons I like the under in the game: two good pitchers with a ton of wind blowing in from center field. Marlins' starter Braxton Garrett has held his opponent scoreless in eight of nine innings pitched so far and looked sensational against Houston last week.

His fastball has a whiff rate over 46% and the Mets are merely average against left-handed pitchers instead of world-beaters like they are against righty's.

Meanwhile, Taijuan Walker hasn't allowed a first-inning run at home yet this year and the Marlins plate a run in the first in only 18.18% of their road matchups. With these starters and such high winds, NRFI is the play.

Twins vs Diamondbacks YRFI (-120)

The Diamondbacks are one of the worst first-inning teams in MLB but couldn't ask for a better matchup against Dylan Bundy today, who is imploding before our eyes. After posting a 2.95 ERA in April, Bundy's ERA ballooned to 6.87 in May and is at a hilarious 12.79 in June. He's allowed four home runs in his last six innings and with wind blowing out to center field, Arizona will have a chance to strike early.

Even if he doesn't, the Twins lead MLB in first-inning batting average and are second in OPS. Minnesota scores first-inning runs at one of the highest rates in the league and Arizona allows early runs at the second-highest rate. The YRFI is the play.

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.