Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today (Braves vs. Mets Highlights Trio of Games With Value)

When I first started writing up these No Run First Inning (NRFI) and Yes Run First Inning (YRFI) bets, I was atrocious. I went something like 3-15 in my first six articles. It was bad.

If you've stuck with me, then I appreciate the faith. Things turned around when I mentioned to my partner's family that I was terrible at these, and her dad gave me some critical advice on making better picks.

Since then, I've consistently been profitable with these. I'm camping with my partner's family this weekend, so it feels only right that I go ahead and win every NRFI/YRFI bet today.

Thanks for the advice, Mike. Fingers crossed I don't make a fool of myself now that I've publicly expressed appreciation.

Let's get into the picks, using odds from WynnBET Sportsbook:

Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today

Reds vs Brewers NRFI (-135)

Graham Ashcraft, aka Dougie Fastballs, has gone three straight starts without allowing a first inning run and remains one of MLB's most undervalued pitchers.

I don't trust Milwaukee's lineup, and with Ashcraft improving with each outing I love his chances to throw up a scoreless first.

Corbin Burnes is undeniable in the opening frame himself. He has a 0.86 ERA in the first inning this year, allowing just two runs over 21 starts. The Reds score in the first inning in only 20% of their road games, so we can have faith in Burnes as well to keep rolling.

Rockies vs Diamondbacks YRFI (-110)

I've got limited faith in each starting pitcher in this matchup, as Jose Urena and Zach Davies are both struggling.

Urena already allowed five earned runs in the first inning through just six starts and has a 10.43 ERA over his last three outings. Arizona scores in the opening frame in over a third of their home games, and they've got a great chance to do so again with Urena's penchant for catastrophe. Just look at his MLB Statcast Pitching Profile:

On the other end, Davies has a 7.50 first inning ERA, surrendering 13 runs through 16 starts. Colorado ranks sixth in OPS against right-handed pitchers over the last three weeks and scores in the first at a top-10 rate in MLB, so we're getting great value on this YRFI bet.

Braves vs Mets NRFI (-145)

It's deGrom day! This time, the New York Mets' supernatural stud takes on my favorite young pitcher in the game, Spencer Strider.

Strider is putting together one of the most impressive rookie seasons I can remember, with a 1.97 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) that is among the best in MLB while striking out over 38% of the batters he faces. He's allowed just three first inning runs over 12 starts, and I have faith he can limit New York's capable lineup.

DeGrom just so happens to be the era's best pitcher, reaching heights that seemed unattainable previously. He didn't seem to miss a beat after missing a whole year due to injury, and he'll be juiced up for his first home start of the campaign.

I'll gladly trust each pitcher, and frankly wouldn't be surprised if both Strider and deGrom struck out the side in the opening frame.

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.