The Washington Nationals have been on fire at the dish, and they'll face a formidable Arizona Diamondbacks lineup today.
With both teams sending vulnerable starters to the hill, my MLB picks are betting on a run to be scored in the first inning.
Check out my best YRFI and NRFI bets for Saturday, May 31.
Best NRFI/YRFI bets today
@ 
Run in the first inning – YES
@ 
Run in the first inning – YES
@ 
Run in the first inning – YES
GET THE BEST ODDS ACROSS 40+ STATES WITH PROPHETX
Download ProphetX today using code Covers and earn up to 300 in Prophet Cash over your first 30 days.
ProphetX is the first ever peer-to-peer sports exchange, play against others, not the house — even request your own odds!
Eligible U.S. locations only. 19+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
NRFI/YRFI bets for May 31
Cardinals at Rangers: YRFI (+100 at ProphetX)
The St. Louis Cardinals are second in the majors in batting average (.262) while ranking eighth in runs per game (4.74). The Texas Rangers are just 26th in slugging percentage (.360), but their expected slugging percentage of .421 suggests we'll see positive regression.
Cardinals starter Sonny Gray has pitched to a 4.06 ERA with an OBA of .250 through 11 starts. His ERA sits at a whopping 7.36 in the first inning.
Texas responds with Patrick Corbin, who has been one of the worst full-time starters in the majors over the last few years, logging a 5.71 ERA in 126 starts from 2021 to 2024. His numbers are much better this year (3.75 ERA in nine starts), but his expected ERA is still at 4.45.
White Sox at Orioles: YRFI (-113 at ProphetX)
The Baltimore Orioles' offense has struggled for two reasons: their inability to hit lefties and their tendency to strike out. However, they're at home against Chicago White Sox righty Davis Martin today, and he sits in the bottom 10th percentile in strikeout rate.
Martin is also in the bottom 10th percentile in expected batting average (.304) and the bottom 15th percentile in xERA (5.28). He'll get rocked by an O's lineup that ranks fourth in hard-hit rate and 10th in barrel rate — especially with 16 mph winds blowing towards the outfield today.
Baltimore will have struggling righty Dean Kremer (5.02 ERA through 11 starts) on the hill. Kremer has an ERA of 5.73 with an OBA of .311 in the first inning, while the White Sox plate a run in the first inning at the sixth-highest rate (35.1%) in the majors.
Nationals at Diamondbacks: YRFI (-121 at ProphetX)
The Arizona Diamondbacks will give the pill to Brandon Pfaadt, who has a 3.97 ERA and has been one of the luckiest pitchers in baseball. His xERA (6.39) and xBA (.315) are among the worst numbers in the majors, and he faces a red-hot Washington Nationals lineup today.
Washington is second in the majors in OPS (.804) while averaging 6.0 runs per game over the last 15 days. The Nats are sending Michael Soroka and his 5.61 ERA to the mound.
He'll have a tough time navigating a D-Backs lineup that is fourth in the majors in OPS (.777) and run first-inning rate (36.8%).
❓What are NRFI and YRFI bets❓
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.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
