The weekend is right in front of us, and all 30 teams are in action on Friday, May 1.
My best NRFI/YRFI bets and MLB picks start with a matchup between the San Francisco Giants and Tampa Bay Rays, and wrap up with the late-window tilt between the Cleveland Guardians and Athletics.
Best NRFI/YRFI bets today
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Giants at Rays: NRFI (-125)
The San Francisco Giants (25th) and Tampa Bay Rays (20th) both rank below average in percentage of games scoring a run in the first inning, and they respectively sit 20th and 18th in wOBA against left-handed pitchers.
Giants’ southpaw Robbie Ray and Rays’ lefty Shane McClanahan have each only allowed a single first-inning run, and they sport respective 1.50 and 1.80 ERAs in the opening frame.
- Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: RAYS, NBCSBA
White Sox at Padres: NRFI (-106)
Noah Schultz has put up zeros in consecutive first innings, and the Chicago White Sox hurler is set to face a San Diego Padres team that ranks 28th in batting average against lefties.
San Diego has also scored in the opening inning at the third-lowest rate in baseball, and Padres veteran German Marquez can take care of the top of the frame.
The White Sox sport a 26th-ranked wOBA against righties and have only scored in the first inning in 29% of their games in 2026.
- Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: SDPA, CHSN
Guardians at Athletics: NRFI (+104)
The Cleveland Guardians rank 27th in wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season and 28th in the metric overall across the past two weeks. As a result, I’m expecting Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn to be able to navigate the opening frame.
This isn’t a great matchup for the Athletics. They have scored in the first inning at the seventh-lowest rate in baseball and rank 23rd in wOBA against southpaws.
Meanwhile, Guardians starter Joey Cantillo owns a 1.50 first-inning ERA while holding opponents to a .190 on-base percentage.
- Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBCSCA, CLEG
- NRFI/YRFI picks: 4-6, -2.37 units
What is a NRFI bet?
NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) bets add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI bet is a wager that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're betting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.
A YRFI bet is the exact opposite. You're betting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.
NRFI and YRFI bets add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for bettors looking for a quick resolution.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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