Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today (Tarik Skubal & Bailey Ober Highlight Three Excellent Pitching Battles)
By Joe Summers
Don't look now, the kid is getting hot! After another winning day with No Run First Inning (NRFI) and Yes Run First Inning (YRFI) bets yesterday, I'm ready to keep the hot streak going with a packed MLB slate today.
We even get some afternoon games sprinkled throughout the schedule, giving us exactly the distraction we need to make it through this work day.
Be sure to check out the previews from the BetSided team before you fill out your bet slip at WynnBET Sportsbook, but let's ensure we've got some winning NRFI and YRFI wagers to add to your ticket.
Using the odds from WynnBET, here are my favorite NRFI and YRFI bets of the day:
Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today
Astros vs Athletics NRFI (-145)
No runs were scored in the first inning in either of the first two games of this series and I expect a clean sweep today. Justin Verlander got smacked around by Seattle in his last start, but prior to that hadn't allowed a first-inning run once in eight starts. Oakland scores a run in the first inning in less than 20% of their home games, so Verlander should get back on track tonight.
Houston has plated a first-inning run in only16.67% of their road contests and face a tough matchup in Cole Irvin, who has a 1.61 ERA at home. When betting on the NRFI, we want to avoid home runs and free passes. Well, Irvin has given up only one home run in his last five starts and ranks in the 81st percentile in walk rate. With one of the lowest totals on the board, I love the NRFI in this game, even if we're paying some extra juice.
Giants vs Phillies NRFI (-135)
Two of the best NRFI in the game square off today as Carlos Rodon battles Aaron Nola. The NRFI is 8-1 in Rodon's outings this season as he overpowers hitters with his dominant fastball. Philadelphia strikes out at the fifth-highest rate in MLB and score a first-inning run in only 28% of their games. They haven't scored one in three straight and Rodon should keep them scoreless tonight.
I have even more faith in Nola, who has held his opponent scoreless in the first inning in all five of his home starts. Dating back to 2019, the NRFI is 36-8 in Nola's home starts. San Francisco's lineup doesn't scare me either, as they've scored a first-inning run in only 16.67% of their road games.
Twins vs Tigers (-135)
Detroit's offense is among the worst in the sport. They score first-inning runs at the second-lowest rate in baseball, plating one in only 12.24% of their matchups. Bailey Ober hasn't allowed a score in the first inning in any of his six starts and should have no issues keeping the Tigers' pedestrian lineup in check.
On the other side, we get to back one of my favorite pitchers in baseball: Tarik Skubal. The 25-year-old lefty is enjoying a breakout season, compiling a ridiculous 1.45 ERA in May. He ranks in the 87th percentile in expected ERA and ranks among the league leaders in most major metrics. In his last eight starts, Skubal has allowed a first-inning run in just one of his last eight games and I'll keep backing him the rest of the year.
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.