On Thursday, just seven games are due to take place across Major League Baseball. Still, for those looking to get in on the action, few wagers are more enticing than a no run first inning bet (NRFI). Three outs from each pitcher are all you need to cash in- but that’s easier said than done. Figuring out which pitchers thrive early, and which lineups don’t, is key to cashing in.
Ahead of today’s MLB slate, here are two NRFI bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Marlins vs. Guardians NRFI (-135)
We’ll get things started in Cleveland, where the Guardians will hope to rebound following Wednesday’s 13-4 defeat. That won’t be an easy task against Marlins starter Edward Cabrera. The right-hander has enjoyed a career year, emerging as a mainstay in Miami’s rotation. Through 108.0 innings of work, he’s notched a 3.08 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 114 strikeouts. Tonight, he’ll face a Guardians offense averaging 3.98 runs per game, the fifth-highest mark in baseball.
On the other side, it’ll be Tanner Bibee toeing the slab for Cleveland. 2025 has not gone according to plan for the talented righty (4.60 ERA, 1.27 WHIP). Still, it’s not as if the 26-year-old will be facing a dominant lineup. The Marlins own an NRFI rate of 73.33%, the eighth-worst mark in baseball. In comparison, Bibee has tossed a clean first in 17 of his 23 appearances this season (74%). Expect that trend to continue on Thursday.
Tigers vs. Twins NRFI (-145)
It’s always must-see TV whenever Tarik Skubal takes the mound. Detroit’s ace continues to dominate, putting together a phenomenal 2025 campaign. The reigning Cy Young winner leads the American League in ERA (2.35), WHIP (0.86) and K/9 (11.6). Tonight, he’ll get to face a Twins offense lacking star power (other than Byron Buxton). In Skubal’s last meeting with Minnesota, on June 29, he tossed seven scoreless, one-hit innings with 13 strikeouts.
The biggest question in this one will come during the top half of the inning. Bailey Ober is slated to go for the Twins. So far, it’s been a difficult season for the fifth-year pro (5.16 ERA, 1.38 WHIP). However, the righty is fresh off of a six-innng, one-run outing last week against the Royals. During his previous five outings vs. the Tigers, Ober has recorded a stellar 2.56 ERA. Considering how automatic Skubal has been, this bet deserves strong consideration tonight.
