Tuesday gave baseball fans an action-packed day filled with dramatics across the league. Wednesday’s 15-game slate promises to have even more intensity. With so many meaningful matchups, bettors are spoiled for choice. For those looking to hit a quick bet, an NRFI makes sense. Six first inning outs without allowing a run. Sounds simple- but it’s not that easy. Some pitchers struggle early, while others come out of the gates firing. Who can you trust tonight?
Ahead of Wednesday’s MLB contests, here are three NRFI bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Rays vs. Orioles NRFI (-120)
On a day filled with must-watch baseball, this game certainly doesn’t qualify. Still, profit is profit. Toeing the slab for the visiting Rays will be Shane Baz. On paper, the right-hander has had a difficult season (4.99 ERA, WHIP). However, that’s primarily a result of pitching at hitter-friendly Steinbrenner Field. On the road, Baz owns a respectable 4.05 ERA. He’ll look to find success tonight at spacious Camden Yards. It helps that the Orioles own the league’s seventh-highest NRFI rate at home (73.42%).
Baltimore will attempt to counter Baz with a talented hurler of their own. Tyler Wells has spent most of the last two seasons on the injured list. However, when healthy, the 31-year-old is a difference-maker. Through three outings in 2025, he’s notched a 2.04 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 14 strikeouts. In comparison, the Rays are one of baseball’s lowest scoring lineups on the road. Tampa Bay has produced the tenth-fewest runs in baseball since September 1st (85).
Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks NRFI (-120)
Following a walk-off 5-4 victory last night, the vibes are high in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks will look to continue their miraculous postseason push tonight with Ryne Nelson on the mound. It’s been a breakout season for the righty, who has recorded a 3.34 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 123 strikeouts. That includes a solid 3.68 first inning ERA. A date with the Dodgers is something most pitchers fear. That’s not the case for Nelson, who has stellar career-long stats vs. LA (1.55 ERA, 1.00 WHIP).
For the visitors, it’ll be Blake Snell on the bump. When healthy, the two-time Cy Young winner remains one of the sport’s best pitchers. Through 55.1 innings of work this season, he’s posted a 2.44 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 67 strikeouts. The Diamondbacks can rake, averaging baseball’s fourth-most runs per game (4.96). Still, Snell has allowed a first inning run only once over ten appearances. Look for that to continue tonight in Arizona.
Cardinals vs. Giants NRFI (-135)
There aren’t many reasons to tune in for Cardinals-Giants. Still, there should be solid pitching on display. For St. Louis, Sonny Gray will get the nod. On an otherwise mediocre rotation, the veteran remains a stabilizing force. Over 174.2 innings, he’s accounted for a 4.33 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 194 strikeouts. Those aren’t standout numbers, but they’re certainly respectable. The 35-year-old will face a feeble Giants offense on Wednesday. Gray owns a career 3.18 ERA in eight career meetings with San Francisco.
The home team will send out JT Brubaker tonight for what could be a bullpen game. In 16 outings this season, 12 with the Yankees, he’s produced a 3.65 ERA. The right-hander doesn’t need to be great in this spot tonight. The Cardinals own baseball’s third-highest NRFI rate this season (75.32%). To make matters worse, St. Louis has put up the league’s third-lowest OPS vs. right-handed pitching since August 1st.
