Every MLB team will be in action on Saturday, May 11, 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,
Nick Simon 2024 record against NRFI: 0-0
Best NRFI bets: Saturday, May 11
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (-160)
All eyes will be on the Pirates this afternoon with the highly anticipated debut of 2023 No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes. The pitching phenom has been revving up to this moment with a brief, but dominant run at Triple-A Indianapolis and I think he’ll come firing right out the gate by setting down the top of the Cubs order in the first inning. Meanwhile, the Pirates are batting a league-worst .194 at the plate in the last week and are averaging the seventh-fewest first inning runs this season. I can easily see Chicago stater Justin Steele throwing up a zero in the box score right out the gate.
Oakland Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners (-110)
The matchup between these two AL West rivals will be the last game on the MLB docket tonight and will be a battle of two struggling offenses. Both are floating around the bottom 10 in both batting average and runs scored this season and unsurprisingly, both rank in the bottom five in first-inning runs. I’d A’s rookie starter Joey Estes and M’s starter Bryce Miller will have little issue getting into a rhythm, so I’ll predict no runs being scored in the first inning of this one.
Game To Avoid
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins
For the second day in a row, we’ll say to avoid Marlins–Phillies considering that both teams are top five in first-inning runs with Philly at the top of the league with an average of 0.97. They got the party started in the second inning of last night’s 8-2 victory and with Miami appearing to be going with a bullpen day this afternoon, I can easily see the Phils getting on the board right out the gate.