While some bets are long plays that can last multiple weeks or even a whole season, others are set up to be quick hitters to boost your bankroll after settling right away. That style of bets provides bettors short-term payouts, instant gratification, and time to flip their winnings into other contests. One of the most popular short-term options during the summer are MLB NRFI bets. Let’s take a look at the 15 games on the schedule this Monday and find a few NRFI (no run first inning) prop bets to back.
Detroit Tigers at Pittsburgh Pirates (-165)
In the first wave of games, the Tigers and Pirates meet in Pittsburgh as Paul Skenes takes on Jack Flaherty. Even though these odds are very short compared to most NRFI, it still feels like a great place to start. If you’re blending multiple NRFI into a parlay or using it to sweeten other parlays, this -165 line seems like a strong consideration to include.
Skenes will take the mound first at home, and he hasn’t given up a run in the first inning in any of his 20 starts this season. The Tigers have been struggling at the plate as well, and have only scored in the first inning in 30% of their games this season.
Flaherty has given up a run in four of his 19 starts this season, but his 79% NRFI work is still one of the best on the board. The Pirates’ offense has been the lowest scoring all season, averaging just 3.33 runs per game. They have not scored in the first inning in 14 straight games and have only scored in the first in 24% of their games this season.
While anything is possible with quick-hitter props like this and one big swing or bad pitch can result in a run, these two starting pitchers and struggling offenses set this up to be one of the strongest NRFI picks on the board, even if the odds are shorter than ideal.
Athletics at Texas Rangers (-120)
In this AL West matchup, the Athletics will give the ball to lefty Jacob Lopez in Texas against Rangers’ rookie Jack Leiter. The A’s started the second half losing two of three to the Guardians, while the Rangers took two of three from the Tigers. Both offenses were shut down on Sunday, combining for only three runs.
Leiter has had an up-and-down season, but he has typically started strong. He has allowed a run in just four of his 16 starts, holding opponents scoreless in 75% of his first inings. He did give up a run in the first inning in his last start, but he bounced back and pitched into the sixth in a win over the Astros.
The Athletics haven’t scored in the first inning in six straight games, while the Rangers haven’t scored in the first in any of their last four.
I highlighted Lopez against the Rangers in my top value plays for DFS as well since the Rangers have struggled against lefties, especially lately. In his 10 starts, he has held opponents off the board in 80% of the first innings.
Since both offenses have been slow lately and both starters strong in the first inning, this feels like a great NRFI value at -120.
Kansas City Royals at Chicago Cubs (-135)
Whenever Wrigley Field is involved, the weather is a key factor to consider since the park can either play extremely hitter-friendly or extremely pitcher-friendly. The forecast looks very favorable for pitching this Monday night with the wind blowing in.
The Cubs will give the ball to Ryan Brasier as an opener for the first time this season. Brasier has pitched in 18 games out of the bullpen and has only given up a run in two appearances. He gave up a run in his one game in Japan but has a 0.55 ERA and just one run allowed in his last 17 contests.
Brasier will be in a good matchup to hold the Royals scoreless since they have not scored in the first inning in eight straight games and have not scored in 72% of their games all season.
The Cubs have been much better in the first inning overall this season, scoring in 32 of their 99 first innings this season (32%). Overall, the Cubs have hit on NRFI in just under half of their games in 48 contests. However, with the pitching-favorable weather and Noah Cameron starting, I think the Royals can keep the Cubs off the board on Monday.
Cameron has held opponents scoreless in 10 of his 12 starts this season, including each of his last four. The 26-year-old lefty is 3-4 in his 12 starts but has a 2.31 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.
As long as the weather holds, it should be a pretty good spot to grab the third of our MLB NRFI bets for this Monday.
