There are 15 MLB games scheduled for Wednesday, May 15. There are any number of bets that you can place with a full day of baseball, but many bettors have begun focusing on the first inning. Predicting whether or not a run will be scored in the first inning has you hanging on every pitch bringing excitement as well as an early decision on whether your bet hit or not.
With that in mind, here are our favorite no-run first-inning (NRFI) bets for Wednesday’s action, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook,
Teddy Ricketson’s 2024 record against NRFI: 27-19-1
Best NRFI bets: Wednesday, May 15
Washington Nationals vs. Chicago White Sox (-130)
This is the third game of the series between these two teams, and so far, neither has tallied a first-inning run. The pitching matchup is a little concerning, with Patrick Corbin (1-3, 5.91 ERA) starting for Washington. Luckily, Chicago has been one of the worst teams this season and has the lowest team batting average in the league. That, combined with Garrett Crochet starting for Chicago, should keep the game scoreless heading into the second inning.
Kansas City Royals vs. Seattle Mariners (-130)
The Royals and Mariners will play an early West Coast game on Wednesday. Kansas City won the second game of the series 4-2 after losing the opener 6-2. Despite 14 runs being scored so far, neither team has tallied a run in the first inning. Alec Marsh starts for Kansas City and has a 3-0 record with a 2.53 ERA, while Seattle starter Bryan Woo makes his 2024 debut.
Game To Avoid
Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Cincinnati will start Andrew Abbott (2-4, 3.35 ERA), with Arizona countering with Brandon Pfaadt (1-3, 4.60 ERA). Neither team has scored a run in the first inning so far in this series, but they’ve combined for 17 runs in two games. Both of these pitchers have a tendency to start wild, and the Diamondbacks average the second-most first-inning runs this season (0.79).