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Best NRFI and YRFI Teams in MLB Through First Month of 2022 Season

By Ben Heisler

The Baltimore Orioles have the best "no-run-first-inning" or NRFI numbers so far in 2022, combining with opponents to go 18-7 through 25 games.
The Baltimore Orioles have the best "no-run-first-inning" or NRFI numbers so far in 2022, combining with opponents to go 18-7 through 25 games. / Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
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Who says the Baltimore Orioles aren't in first place?

Clearly it depends on where you look, but in 2022 MLB NRFI betting stats, no team in baseball has more "No Run First Inning" wins than the O's.

If you're unfamiliar to the NRFI or YRFI betting trend in Major League Baseball, these are select baseball prop bets that take place during the first six outs of the game. Bettors must decide whether there will be over or under 0.5 runs scored in the first inning. If they think both teams will be shut out, that falls under the "NRFI," or no-first-run-inning wager. If it's the opposite, and the bettor believes at least one team will score one or more runs, that bet is classified as a "YRFI," or yes-first-run-inning.

The trend has skyrocketed up where BetSided's own Iain MacMillan is giving out his picks daily!

At first glance, bettors may think it's all about which are the best offenses, but knowing the other team's tendencies, as well as that game's starting pitcher is also of equal importance.

Here's a look at which teams have been most profitable when it comes to both "no first run innings," as well as "yes first run innings" this season.

Want other MLB betting trends? Here are the best run line teams, as well as the best over/under bets through the start of the 2022 season.

Top NRFI Teams in 2022 (as of May 5)

Stats via Best Odds

  1. Baltimore Orioles: 18-7
  2. New York Yankees: 17-8
  3. New York Mets: 16-11
  4. Houston Astros: 15-10
  5. Arizona Diamondbacks: 14-12

The aforementioned Baltimore Orioles lead the way this season both in total NRFI, but also at home. They are by far and the way the best in the league when it comes to a lack of scoring with their opponents at Oriole Park at Camden Yards; going 10-2 through their first 12.

The New York Yankees and Mets follow behind, which may surprise bettors considering each offense ranks in the top two in all of baseball. But, it's the combination tied to their pitching that's been the key; with the Yankees and Mets ranked second and fourth in Fangraphs WAR (wins-above-replacement).

Top YRFI Teams in 2022 (as of May 5)

  1. Chicago White Sox: 18-7
  2. Seattle Mariners: 15-10
  3. Texas Rangers: 14-10
  4. St. Louis Cardinals: 14-10
  5. Colorado Rockies: 14-10

Chicago remains the outlier amongst the top five in YRFI winners so far this season.

The White Sox are top 11 in runs allowed this year, pitching to a 3.57 ERA while ranking eighth in pitching WAR, but on offense, they're a bottom-3 club behind only the Reds and Tigers. If they score, it inevitably comes early in a game, as well as their starters giving up an early lead.

Chicago has been equally effective in YRFIs both at home and on the road; going 9-5 at Guaranteed Rate Field, and 7-3 away from the South Side.

Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting plays in real-time HERE

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