The Athletics visit the Padres tonight, and that matchup will headline my favorite MLB picks today for the "no run first inning" and "yes run first inning" markets.
Here are my best NRFI and YRFI picks for Saturday, May 23.
Best NRFI/YRFI bets today
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- NRFI (Game 2)
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- NRFI
Cardinals at Reds Game 2: NRFI (-105)
The St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds meet in the second game of a doubleheader tonight, and neither team has been doing much damage in the first inning lately.
The Cards haven't scored in the opening frame in four straight games, and while they're hitting .297 in the first, St. Louis has scored in the first just 13 times this season.
As for the Reds, they're in the midst of a seven-game run without a run in the first, and overall, they also struggle to produce offense out of the gates.
Kyle Leahy owns an 8-1 NRFI/YRFI record this season as he takes the hill for the Cardinals, while Chase Petty had a scoreless first in his big league debut earlier this month.
- Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: FOX
Athletics at Padres: NRFI (-115)
The Athletics will throw right-hander JT Ginn at the San Diego Padres this evening, who has a 7-1 NRFI/YRFI record this season.
He usually comes out unscathed in the first inning, and the Padres have a .140 average in the opening frame.
The A's aren't much better, batting .202 in the first, and scoring in the opening frame only 13 times in 2026.
They will see Lucas Giolito, who tossed a scoreless first in his season debut last Sunday. He's also held this Athletics lineup to a .206 average across 34 at-bats.
- Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: Padres.TV, NBC Sports California
Mets at Marlins: NRFI (-122)
Today's matchup between the New York Mets and Miami Marlins profiles to be a low-scoring one, especially in the opening frame.
Freddy Peralta has surrendered a run in the first just once in 10 outings this season, while Max Meyer has an 8-2 NRFI/YRFI record of his own. The Mets rarely score in the first, and Meyer has been dominant in '26.
Peralta has had success against this Marlins lineup, holding them to a .200 average across 35 at-bats. Miami has also failed to score in the first inning in back-to-back contests.
- Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: SNY, Marlins.TV
- NRFI/YRFI picks: 9-18, -3.08 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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