The weekend is here, which means plenty of baseball is on tap. All 30 teams will take the diamond for Friday’s massive 15-game slate. With so many matchups, the options are endless for bettors. One of the quickest and most enticing wagers is an NRFI. No runs in the first inning sounds simple on paper. However, this prop bet comes down to understanding which pitchers thrive, and which lineups struggle, early.
Ahead of Friday’s MLB action, here are three NRFI bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Brewers vs. Blue Jays NRFI (-140)
In what could be a World Series preview, All-Star arms are set to take the hill in Toronto. Toeing the slab for the visiting Brewers will be Freddy Peralta, making his 28th start of the season. His numbers on the year are nothing short of phenomenal: 2.68 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 160 strikeouts. Unsurprisingly, the Dominican gets going early, notching a 2.00 first inning ERA. That should play, even against a dangerous Blue Jays lineup.
On the other side, it’ll be Shane Bieber on the bump. It’s only the right-hander’s second start of the season, most of which has been spent recovering from Tommy John surgery. In his season debut last week, the 30-year-old allowed one run and two hits over six innings vs. Miami. Granted, Friday’s matchup vs. Milwaukee is a far more difficult challenge. However, the Brewers own baseball’s highest NRFI rate (77.78%). Keeping that in mind, trust Bieber to escape the first inning unscathed.
Pirates vs. Red Sox NRFI (-145)
Few teams in baseball are hotter than the Red Sox, winners in seven of their last eight contests. However, Boston’s hitters will have to be at their best tonight against the Pirates. Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes is set to make his Fenway Park debut on . In just his second year as a pro, it can be argued that the righty is the best pitcher on Earth. Through 161.0 innings of work, he’s recorded a league-leading 2.07 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 181 strikeouts. In addition, the All-Star has surrendered a first inning run in only one of his 27 appearances.
Skenes’ dominance makes it hard to find a reasonable NRFI price on most nights. However, the Red Sox are handing the ball to rookie starter Payton Tolle. The southpaw has been terrific for Triple-A Worcester, putting up a 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 133 strikeouts over 91.2 innings. As far as debuts go, the prospect couldn’t ask for a better opponent than the Pirates. Pittsburgh’s offense is averaging just 3.59 runs per game, the lowest mark in baseball. Don’t be shocked if Boston’s top pitching prospect picks up three quick outs.
Mariners vs. Guardians NRFI (-120)
The final American League wildcard spot remains up for grabs. Cleveland (66-66) is four games back, playoff longshots but certainly not out of it. A weekend series with Seattle could be the perfect opportunity for the Guardians. Taking the mound for the home team tonight will be Logan Allen. If there was ever a pitcher that best described the term ‘dull consistency’, it would be him. Over 128.1 innings, the 27-year-old owns a 4.35 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 100 strikeouts. He comes into Friday’s matchup with a respectable 75% NRFI rate.
For the visiting Mariners, it’ll be George Kirby at pitcher. The former All-Star has had a rocky 2025 campaign, battling through underperformance and injuries. Regardless, his year-long numbers are still respectable: 4.05 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 9.1 K/9. In addition, he’s failed to allow a first inning run in each of his previous seven starts. There’s a good chance that continues tonight against a weak-hitting Guardians lineup. Cleveland is averaging just 3.85 runs per game, worst in the American League. Expect Kirby to deliver yet another strong outing on Friday.
