There are 16 MLB games scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, with the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox playing a doubleheader. This means that there are 16 first innings to wager whether or not a run will be scored. No run first inning (NRFI) bets are exciting and a way to hook yourself to a baseball game from the first pitch.
Here are our favorite NRFI bets for Wednesday’s action, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook,
Teddy Ricketson’s 2024 record against NRFI: 12-7-1
Best NRFI bets: Wednesday, April 17
Los Angeles Angels vs. Tampa Bay Rays (-115)
This pick comes down to the pitching matchup as Los Angeles starts Reid Detmers (3-0, 1.04 ERA), while Tampa Bay counters with Zack Littell (1-0, 1.17 ERA). Detmers has allowed two runs this season, but neither was in the first inning. Littell is making his second consecutive start against the Angels and, in the first, allowed one run in the fourth inning.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Oakland Athletics (-130)
The Cardinals and Athletics will wrap up their three-game series on Wednesday. St. Louis has won both games so far, 3-1 and 3-2, respectively. Only one run has been scored in the first inning so far. Both teams are tied for averaging the 10th-fewest first-inning runs in the league. The pitching matchup of Steven Matz (1-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Paul Blackburn (1-0, 0.00 ERA) should keep both teams off the scoreboard through the first inning.
Game To Avoid
Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies average the seventh-most first-inning runs in the league. The Rockies average the third-fewest, but will take on Cristopher Sanchez who enters with an 0-2 record and a 3.52 ERA. Philly will face Ryan Feltner (1-1, 3.38 ERA), who has allowed at least one first-inning run in each of his three starts this season.