Every MLB team will be in action on Friday, May 10, weather permitting. 15 games on hand for the day mean 15 first innings to wager on. No run first inning (NRFI) and YRFI (yes run first inning) has bettors wagering on whether or not either team will score a run in the first inning of a game. Here are our best NRFI bets for Friday’s slate, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook,
Teddy Ricketson’s 2024 record against NRFI: 26-17-1
Best NRFI bets: Friday, May 10
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (-145)
The biggest game of this series will likely be on Saturday as Pirates prospect Paul Skenes makes his MLB debut. Before we get there, though, Javier Assad (3-0, 1.66 ERA) and Jared Jones (2-2, 2.63 ERA) will have a pitcher’s duel on Friday. The Cubs are averaging the 10th-most fist-inning runs, but the Pirates average the seventh-fewest. Jones hasn’t allowed a first-inning run this season and Assad has a good matchup to set down down the top of the struggling Pittsburgh batting order.
Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants (-140)
The Giants average the second-fewest first-inning runs in the league (0.26), and the Reds aren’t much better at scoring the fourth-fewest (0.30). Logan Webb should be able to shut down the top of the Reds lineup. The worry would actually be for lefty Andrew Abbott for Cincy, but I still think he gets through the top of the order without a problem.
Game To Avoid
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins
As bad as Miami has been this season, they are doing a good job of scoring in the first inning. The Marlins average the fourth-most first-inning runs (0.82). If that wasn’t a good enough reason to be worried about this matchup from an NRFI perspective, Philadelphia averages the most first-inning runs in the MLB. With these two teams, I’m expecting runs early and often.