Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today (Diamondbacks vs Guardians Among Matchups with Value)

I'm buzzing with excitement for today's 16-game MLB slate.

The King is back as my beloved Spencer Strider pitches, and we've got plenty more fantastic matchups throughout the day.

As always, the BetSided team has you covered with previews for each contest, but it's time to jump into some No Run First Inning (NRFI) and Yes Run First Inning (YRFI) bets.

After a disappointing 1-2 finish yesterday, I'm anxious to get back to my winning ways. Using odds from WynnBET Sportsbook, here are my favorite NRFI/YRFI bets of the day:

Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today

Reds vs Marlins NRFI (-140)

Graham Ashcraft vs Braxton Garrett isn't as flashy as some other matchups on the board, but this is an under-the-radar excellent pitching battle that I'm excited to see. Ashcraft is struggling on the surface, but his 3.72 expected ERA is strong and indicates positive regression is coming.

He's allowed a run in the first inning just once in his last four starts and I expect success against a Marlins lineup that scores in the opening frame just 17.48% of the tie.

Garrett, meanwhile, allowed a first inning run just once in 10 starts thus far and is showcasing an incredible strikeout ability, punching out 30 batters over his last 17 innings. Cincy scores in the first in just 19.57% of its road games, so I think Garrett throws up a zero once again.

Diamondbacks vs Guardians NRFI (-130)

Another stellar pitching matchup takes place in Cleveland with Zac Gallen against Triston McKenzie.

Gallen has a 1.42 ERA in the first inning and allowed just three runs total over his last three starts. Cleveland is a strong lineup against righties but score in the first inning less than 29% of the time, so I like Gallen's chances to stay hot.

Few pitchers in MLB are as hot as McKenzie, though. He compiled a 1.34 ERA in July and hasn't allowed a first inning run in six straight starts.

Arizona scores in the opening frame in only 18.75% of its road games, so I love the value we're getting on the NRFI.

Athletics vs Angels NRFI (-130)

Let's wrap up today's wagers by fading two of the worst lineups in MLB, the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels.

Oakland scores in the first inning in only 25% of its contests and should struggle against Noah Syndergaard, who allowed three or fewer runs in six of his last seven starts. He's been poor in the first inning overall, but did throw a scoreless opening frame against the Royals last week. With Oakland's struggles, I anticipate another strong start.

On the other end, Cole Irvin is on a heater and faces an Angels lineup that ranks 29th in OPS against left-handed pitchers over the last three weeks. Irvin hasn't allowed a first inning run in three straight starts and Los Angeles scores an early run just 27.45% of the time.

With two poor lineups and two trustworthy pitchers, I'll go with the NRFI to round out the slate.

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.