Another day of non-stop MLB action is on tap for Friday. 15 games will be played between 30 teams over nearly ten hours. With so many marquee matchups, there’s ample opportunity to place some player props. That includes a few NRFI wagers (No Runs in the First Inning); in the blink of an eye, bettors can cash in. However, dissecting which pitchers thrive early, and which lineups struggle, is key.
Ahead of today’s MLB action, here are three NRFI bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Mets at Nationals (-110)
Ahead of Friday’s NL East showdown, both clubs are building momentum. The Nationals have won four of their last six games, including a series win over inter-league rival Baltimore. The Mets are on an absolute heater, having reeled off seven straight victories. Tonight, the visitors will send staff ace Kodai Senga to the mound. Through four starts, the right-hander has been absolutely electric (0.79 ERA). In two career meetings with Washington, he’s allowed only three runs over 11.0 innings pitched.
The bigger test on Friday will be whether Nationals starter Jake Irvin can slow down an elite offense. For his career, the 28-year-old has a 4.50 ERA against the Mets, including a seven-inning, one-run performance last September. New York’s NRFI rate on the road is 83.3%, the eighth-highest mark in baseball. Irvin doesn’t need to throw a shutout, but he’s capable enough to keep this lineup at bay.
Astros at Royals (-115)
The Royals and Astros, two teams with postseason aspirations, are built in a similar fashion. Each squad relies on good pitching and lineups filled with contact hitters. However, neither roster has generated much production on offense this season. Kansas City and Houston are both within the bottom ten in runs scored per game. The home team will send Seth Lugo to the mound tonight, one of the American League’s top starters. The former All-Star typically comes out of the gates strong, recording a 1.66 first inning ERA since 2024.
Another factor in Lugo’s favor is who he’ll be facing on Friday. Surprisingly, the Astros own baseball’s highest NRFI rate this season (83.33%). Houston will counter with breakout arm Hayden Wesneski. Through four starts, the 27-year-old has notched a 3.91 ERA , 25 strikeouts, and a stellar 0.87 WHIP. Just two Royals regulars, Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia, have an above-average wRC+ (>100). Two inconsistent, top-heavy lineups might have trouble at the start of this contest.
Pirates at Dodgers (-145)
Here’s my heavily researched pitch for Pirates-Dodgers: Paul Skenes vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Two of baseball’s premier pitchers dueling in LA; do you need more reasons to back this NRFI? If you do, consider that Skenes is phenomenal at the start of games. Over 28 career outings, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year has recorded a 1.61 first inning ERA. Obviously, Los Angeles’ lineup is loaded. Still, Pittsburgh’s ace is talented enough to get three quick outs.
The Dodgers will send out Yamamoto, an electric arm in his own right. The Japanese fireballer has posted a 0.93 ERA along with 38 strikeouts, living up to his $325 million contract. A career 4.78 first inning ERA is cause for concern. Fortunately for Los Angeles, the Pirates own baseball’s fifth-highest NRFI rate (76.92%). Even at a higher price, this is a prop worth taking to close out Friday night’s MLB slate.
