The Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves meet this afternoon, and I'm eyeing a clean first inning with two solid arms on the hill.
That matchup will headline my top MLB picks today for the "no run first inning" and "yes run first inning" markets.
Here are my best NRFI/YRFI predictions for Saturday, June 20.
Best NRFI/YRFI predictions today
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- NRFI
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- YRFI
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- NRFI
Brewers at Braves: NRFI (-148)
Two solid arms take the hill as the Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves square off tonight. Kyle Harrison gets the ball for Milwaukee and owns a stellar 10-3 NRFI record this season. The left-hander has held opponents scoreless in the first inning in five of his last six starts and tossed six scoreless frames last time out.
Chris Sale has been equally reliable early in games, carrying an 11-2 NRFI record and producing three consecutive scoreless first innings. The southpaw also owns a 2.30 FIP across his last three appearances, while neither offense has scored in the opening frame in each of its last two contests.
Since the price is already steep, I'd only play this pick up to -150.
- Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: BravesVision, Brewers.TV
Guardians at Astros: YRFI (-116)
I'm expecting the Houston Astros to jump on Joey Cantillo tonight. The left-hander has posted a 5.40 FIP over his last two starts while allowing 2.70 home runs per nine innings during that span.
Houston has been one of baseball's best first-inning offenses, batting .301 in the opening frame while compiling a 50-27 YRFI record. The Astros also scored in the first inning on Friday, and this matchup sets up nicely for another fast start. Cantillo has surrendered a run in the first in back-to-back starts, too.
Play this pick up to -130.
- Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: Space City Home Network, Guardians.TV
Nationals at Rays: NRFI (-121)
Cade Cavalli gets the ball for the Washington Nationals tonight, and he's consistently stayed out of trouble in the first inning. He tossed a scoreless opening frame his last time out and owns an impressive 11-4 NRFI record this season. Cavalli also draws a favorable matchup against a Tampa Bay Rays lineup that's been held scoreless in the first inning in three consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Ian Seymour hasn't allowed a run in the first inning through his first two appearances as a starter, and while Washington has been productive offensively overall, the Nationals have failed to score in the opening frame in four straight contests.
With two starters navigating the first inning effectively and both offenses struggling to get going immediately, there's value in another clean opening frame. I'll play this pick up to -130.
- Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: Rays.TV, Nationals.TV
- NRFI/YRFI picks: 18-36, -4.84 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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