The Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels clash in Orange County, while the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals also meet.
These matchups will headline my best NRFI predictions and YRFI predictions today.
Read more in my MLB picks for Friday, July 3.
Best NRFI/YRFI predictions today
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Pirates at Nationals: NRFI (+114)
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals meet tonight, with two arms who have managed to limit early damage taking the mound. Mitch Keller owns a 14-3 NRFI/YRFI record this season, and he's had back-to-back clean first innings.
As for Foster Griffin, he has a streak of seven scoreless first innings, and the starter has also allowed a run in the opening frame just three times this year in 17 appearances.
Offensively, the Pirates are scoreless in the first in six straight, while Washington hasn't scored in the opening frame in three of their last five.
With both starters consistently settling in quickly and neither offense generating much early pressure lately, this shapes up as another game where the opening frame is likely to stay quiet.
I'll play this pick to -110.
- Time: 6:45 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: SportsNet Pittsburgh, Nationals.TV
Giants at Rockies: NRFI (+114)
The Colorado Rockies have been hot offensively with runs in the first in three straight, but tonight's matchup could end that streak. The San Francisco Giants send Logan Webb to the mound, who owns a 13-1 NRFI/YRFI record.
He's tossed seven scoreless opening frames in a row, and Webb has a solid 2.82 xERA across his last two outings.
As for the Rockies, they counter with Ryan Feltner, who has an 8-3 NRFI/YRFI record. He's had back-to-back clean first innings, and the Giants are ice cold in the first lately, failing to score a run in five consecutive games.
Webb has consistently shut opponents down early, while Feltner draws a Giants lineup that has failed to score in the first inning in five straight games.
I'll play this pick to -110.
- Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: Rockies.TV, NBC Sports Bay Area
Red Sox at Angels: NRFI (-116)
We have two lefties on the mound in this matchup. Boston Red Sox rookie Jake Bennett has looked fantastic since coming up to the big leagues, and he's yet to allow a run in the first inning across six starts. He owns a stellar 0.73 ERA across his previous two outings.
As for the Los Angeles Angels, they counter with Reid Detmers. He had a scoreless first in his last outing, and Detmers owns a 13-4 NRFI/YRFI record overall. He also owns a 3.06 xERA across his last five appearances.
Offensively, the Red Sox are hitting just .208 in the first, and they've been held scoreless in the opening frame in 66 of their 85 games. The Angels are also scoreless in the opening inning in two straight games, and Bennett's early dominance makes this a tough matchup.
I'll play this pick to -140.
- Time: 9:38 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NESN, ABTV
- NRFI/YRFI picks: 23-45, -4.74 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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