Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today (Marlins vs Phillies Highlight Trio of Matchups to Target)

Another 2-1 day yesterday continued the winning streak in No Run First Inning (NRFI) and Yes Run First Inning (YRFI) bets but I'm looking for that clean sweep today.

We've got a light MLB slate scheduled with only 10 games on the board, but that's more than enough to find some value. I've poured over the data and there's a few pitching matchups just begging to be part of an opening frame bet.

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

Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today

Marlins vs Phillies NRFI (-120)

This is perhaps the best pitching matchup on the board today with Sandy Alcantara taking on Aaron Nola. Alcantara has allowed precisely one earned run in his last four starts, spanning 33 innings. He's down to +400 to win the NL Cy Young at WynnBET and has been a force of nature no matter how you look at it.

Alcantara has allowed a first-inning run just once in his last six starts and I think he keeps it rolling against an admittedly-hot Phillies lineup.

But Aaron Nola has been dominant as well, surrendering a first-inning run only once all season over 12 starts. The Marlins are one of the worst first-inning teams in the league, scoring a run less than 20% of the time. I'll back two elite pitchers at lovely odds to kick off the day.

Royals vs Giants NRFI (-115)

This one comes down to how you feel about the top of the Royals lineup going against Alex Wood. Kansas City started Brady Singer hasn't allowed a single first-inning run over five starts and his success should continue against a Giants lineup that scores a run in the first less than 20% of the time.

Wood hasn't been very good this season, but his 3.25 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) suggests he's been unlucky to amass a 4.23 ERA. He's been strong over his last two starts, allowing only three runs total and none in the first, and I think those performances are sign of things to come. The Royals are one of the worst first-inning lineups in MLB, scoring an opening frame run in only 23.73% of their contests. San Francisco allows an early run on just 23.33% of their home games, so they should do their part in limiting Kansas City.

Padres vs Cubs YRFI (-115)

This is purely a fade of Darvish on the road. I wrote why I liked the value on the Cubs tonight and they should put pressure on the Padres from the jump.

Darvish has allowed eight first inning runs and issued seven walks, amassing a 6.55 ERA in the process. The YRFI is 3-1 in his last four road starts and he faces the very best first-inning lineup in baseball today in the Cubs. Chicago laps the field in first-inning scoring percentage, notching an early run in 45.76% of their games and in 48.39% of their home matchups.

When you a bad first-inning pitcher who is even worse on the road taking on the best opening frame offense in MLB, you roll with the trends. As a cherry on top, this game has the highest total on the board today so oddsmakers are expecting runs. That starts early, in my opinion.

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.