All 30 teams will take the field for Friday’s MLB slate. For those looking to cash in quickly on a bet, nothing makes more sense than an NRFI. With that being said, there’s more to this one than meets the eye. Some pitchers thrive early, while others take more time to get settled in than others. Which NRFI picks are worth a closer look on Friday?
Ahead of today’s Major League Baseball contests, here are two NRFI bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Best NRFI Prop Bets Today
| Game | Pitching Matchup |
| Pirates vs. Reds NRFI (-145) | Skenes vs. Greene |
| Cardinals vs. Blue Jays NRFI (-135) | Leahy vs. Cease |
Pirates vs. Reds NRFI (-145)
In this star-studded pitching matchup, Paul Skenes will take the mound for Pittsburgh. Through 120.2 innings of work this season, the right-hander has notched a 3.65 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 149 strikeouts (11.1 K/9). Those are great numbers for any other pitcher, albeit slightly below expectations for the reigning NL Cy Young winner. Skenes is a first inning specialist, having recorded an 85% NRFI rate since 2025. Now, he’ll face a Reds lineup averaging a National League-worst 4.10 runs per game. Despite playing in a hitter’s park, Cincinnati has the fourth-worst YRFI rate at home (24.07%).
On the other side, it’ll be Hunter Greene making his fifth start of the season. At full strength, the fireballing righty is one of the sport’s most intimidating pitchers. However, he’s still shaking off the rust following a months-long hiatus. The 26-year-old has produced a 7.06 ERA and 1.34 WHIP so far. Still, that’s a small sample size. Greene owns a stellar 82% NRFI rate throughout his career. The Pirates, while dangerous offensively, might struggle in this spot. In the first inning, Pittsburgh has a middling .297 OBP on the road against right-handed pitching.
Cardinals vs. Blue Jays NRFI (-135)
In the midst of a cold stretch, the Cardinals will turn to Kyle Leahy on the mound tonight. While far from an ace, the fourth-year pro has been a fairly consistent hurler for manager Oli Marmol. Over 101.1 innings pitched (20 starts), he’s posted a 3.55 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 88 strikeouts (7.8 K/9). Even more important, he comes into Friday on a six-game NRFI streak. There’s a good chance that continues against a Toronto lineup that ranks last in runs scored (430). The Blue Jays have a 22.94% YRFI rate, third-worst in the majors.
Canada’s team will send out All-Star Dylan Cease this evening. On an otherwise disappointing club, the offseason acquisition has been a silver lining. Through 113.1 innings of work (19 starts), he’s put up a 2.46 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and AL-best 13.3 K/9 ratio. During his most recent outing, Cease tossed a nine-inning, one-hit masterpiece vs. Boston. He has given up the occasional first inning run, but that seems unlikely against St. Louis. The slumping Cardinals have scored 30 runs over their previous ten contests, second-worst in baseball during that time.
