A new week in the MLB is upon us with 14 games taking place across the league, weather permitting. No run first inning (NRFI) and YRFI (yes run first inning) has bettors wagering on whether or not either team will score a run in the first inning of a game. Here are our best NRFI bets for Friday’s slate, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Nick Simon’s 2024 record against NRFI: 4-2
Best NRFI bets: Monday, May 13
Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves (-140)
The Cubs and Braves will begin their three-game series tonight and we’ll be treated to a really good pitching battle as Chicago starter Shota Imanaga will go up against Atlanta starter Reynaldo Lopez. Imanaga has already established himself as a NL Cy Young candidate, walking into this matchup with a 5-0 record, a 1.08 ERA, and a WHIP of 0.82. Lopez has also been excellent this season and has yet to give up a first-inning run through his six starts for the Braves this season. Both teams have tons of power, but it will most likely take a while for their bats to crack the opposing starter.
Miami Marlins vs. Detroit Tigers (+105)
The Marlins and Tigers will also start a three-game series tonight and they’ll both be sending starters who have gotten off to shaky starts to the mound with Sixto Sanchez going for Miami and Matt Manning going for Detroit. The results for both starters haven’t been inspiring, but they are both coming off starts where they got through through the first inning unscathed. With this having plus odds, I’ll go ahead and roll the dice on their being a scoreless first inning for this one.
Game To Avoid
Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays (-135)
These two AL East rivals will kickstart a three-game set this evening and I’m putting it into the avoid category just for Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios. The veteran righty has posted solid numbers so far this season, but he has been shaky coming out the gate at times this year. He has yielded six hits (two home runs), four walks, and a hit by pitch in the first inning this season and there’s a chance the Orioles bats can jump on him right from the beginning tonight.