There’s afternoon baseball at Wrigley Field to start the weekend, and my top NRFI predictions are headlined by the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs playing a scoreless opening frame at the Friendly Confines Friday, June 19.
My MLB picks wrap up with slow starts between the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers, and the Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros this evening.
Best NRFI/YRFI predictions today
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Blue Jays at Cubs: NRFI (-135)
Toronto Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman has held opponents to a tidy .258 on-base percentage and in the opening frame to keep teams off the board in 11 of his 15 starts, and Chicago Cubs righty Ben Brown has been equally solid in the first inning.
Brown has held opposing hitters to a minuscule .231 OBP in the first while blanking six of seven opening frames.
Neither offense has started quickly, either. The Blue Jays have only scored in the first in 24% of their games and rank 27th in xwOBA over the past 30 days, and the Cubbies check in at just 20% and 17th in the metric.
I’d recommend this NRFI down to -145.
- Time: 2:20 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: MARQ, Sportsnet
Team at Team: Padres at Rangers: NRFI (-120)
Neither the San Diego Padres nor Texas Rangers have been prolific first-inning offenses this season, and have respectively scored in first in just 21% and 28% of their games. Additionally, the Padres rank 27th in wOBA and 25th in xwOBA across the past 14 days, while the Rangers check in with a 21st and 26th ranks.
So, even with San Diego righty Randy Vasquez sporting a 4.50 ERA in the first, and Texas veteran Jacob deGrom at 6.43, I’m anticipating a scoreless opening frame given the slumping offenses they’re facing.
This prop is in play to -130.
- Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: RSN, SDPA
Guardians at Astros: NRFI (-108)
The Cleveland Guardians are without star Jose Ramirez (hand), and Houston Astros starter Tatsuya Imai has held opposing hitters to a .276 slugging percentage in the opening inning while pitching a scoreless first in seven of nine starts.
Additionally, Guardians righty Tanner Bibee has held opponents off the board in 10 of his 15 starts. Statistical correction is also coming to his 4.80 ERA in the first this season after posting a 3.77 mark last year.
Both teams rank below average in both wOBA and xwOBA over the past 14 days, too, so I’m happy to recommend this NRFI down to -120.
- Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: SCHN, CLEG
- NRFI/YRFI picks: 13-12, -2.69 units
What is a NRFI prediction?
NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) picks add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI pick is a prediction that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're predicting 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 pick is the exact opposite. You're predicting 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 picks add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for those 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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