As the MLB season continues to heat up, NRFI odds are one of the most popular destinations for sports bettors.
Below, we’ve highlighted potential betting opportunities for No Run First Inning and Yes Run First Inning for today’s MLB slate.
Best NRFI Bet Today, June 2
Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros, 8:10 p.m. ET
This is almost certainly one of the best pitching matchups of the day, which makes an NRFI bet an attractive option, even if the odds are a bit more juiced than I’d like.
Shohei Ohtani is on the mound for the Angels, and an ERA of 2.91 and 0.95 WHIP is certainly nothing to scoff at. In 11 first innings in 2023, Ohtani has a 2.45 ERA with 17 strikeouts, having allowed three earned runs and three hits. It’s hardly a secret that Ohtani’s capable of a fierce few innings, and I feel he’ll be able to turn up the heat even more today against the Astros.
The Astros have Framber Valdez starting on the bump, who’s currently sitting on a 2.38 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. In 11 first innings, he’s recorded a 1.64 ERA, and like Ohtani, I expect him to come in very hot today.
Between Ohtani and Valdez, I think an NRFI bet is looking very good.
Best YRFI Bet Today, June 2
Oakland Athletics vs. Miami Marlins, 6:40 p.m. ET
The Marlins have had an average start to the season, but the Athletics are performing about as well as fans have come to expect them to. Even if questionable offense from both teams, I have a good feeling about a YRFI pick today.
Miami has Edward Cabrera on the mound today, and with an ERA of 5.02 and WHIP of 1.50, he hasn’t exactly had the season he’d hoped. In 11 first innings this season, he’s posted a 4.09 ERA with 12 strikeouts, so I think he’s a good YRFI pick today.
Shintaro Fujinami is on the bump for the Athletics, and with an ERA of 12.00 and 1.97 WHIP after 17 outings (four starts), he’s not exactly looking like a threat. In four first innings, he’s posted a 4.50 ERA, which is slightly more inspiring, but still works in the favor of a YRFI pick.
Even though the Marlins are leading the league with 38-19 NRFI, I think at least one run in the first inning is very possible between Cabrera and Fujinami, especially with two floundering defensive rosters.
NRFI/YRFI Odds Today
| GAME | TIME | NRFI ODDS | YRFI ODDS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brewers vs. Reds | 5:10 p.m. ET | +100 | -125 |
| Athletics vs. Marlins | 6:40 p.m. ET | -120 | -110 |
| Phillies vs. Nationals | 7:05 p.m. ET | -120 | -105 |
| Cardinals vs. Pirates | 7:05 p.m. ET | -105 | -125 |
| Rays vs. Red Sox | 7:10 p.m. ET | -115 | -110 |
| Blue Jays vs. Mets | 7:10 p.m. ET | -120 | -105 |
| Mariners vs. Rangers | 8:05 p.m. ET | -125 | -105 |
| Angels vs. Astros | 8:10 p.m. ET | -- | -- |
| Guardians vs. Twins | 8:10 p.m. ET | -120 | -110 |
| Rockies vs. Royals | 8:10 p.m. ET | -105 | -120 |
| Tigers vs. White Sox | 8:10 p.m. ET | -- | -- |
| Braves vs. Diamondbacks | 9:40 p.m. ET | -110 | -120 |
| Cubs vs. Padres | 9:40 p.m. ET | -115 | -110 |
| Yankees vs. Dodgers | 10:10 p.m. ET | -120 | -105 |
| Orioles vs. Giants | 10:15 p.m. ET | -120 | -105 |
Best NRFI Teams this MLB Season
The best team to bet on for NRFI this season is currently the Miami Marlins, who have an NRFI record of 38-19.
Best YRFI Teams this MLB Season
The best team to bet on for YRFI this season is currently the St. Louis Cardinals, who have an YRFI record of 36-21.
MLB Probable Pitchers
| ROAD TEAM | PITCHER | ERA/WHIP | HOME TEAM | PITCHER | ERA/WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewers | C. Burnes | 3.68/1.19 | Reds | B. Williamson | 5.02/1.47 |
| Athletics | S. Fujinami | 12.00/1.97 | Marlins | E. Cabrera | 5.02/1.50 |
| Phillies | Z. Wheeler | 3.60/1.14 | Nationals | J. Gray | 2.77/1.41 |
| Cardinals | J. Flaherty | 4.81/1.53 | Pirates | R. Contreras | 4.33/1.38 |
| Rays | T. Glasnow | 6.23/1.38 | Red Sox | G. Whitlock | 5.14/1.19 |
| Blue Jays | C. Bassitt | 3.80/1.15 | Mets | J. Verlander | 4.80/1.10 |
| Mariners | L. Castillo | 2.69/0.99 | Rangers | J. Gray | 2.81/1.11 |
| Angels | S. Ohtani | 2.91/0.95 | Astros | F. Valdez | 2.38/1.04 |
| Guardians | A. Civale | 2.84/1.03 | Twins | B. Ober | 2.68/1.02 |
| Rockies | C. Anderson | 1.31/0.97 | Royals | J. Lyles | 7.30/1.38 |
| Tigers | R. Olson | --/-- | White Sox | -- | --/-- |
| Braves | C. Morton | 3.59/1.47 | Diamondbacks | M. Kelly | 2.83/1.07 |
| Cubs | J. Taillon | 8.04/1.69 | Padres | M. Wacha | 3.45/1.10 |
| Yankees | L. Severino | 1.59/0.79 | Dodgers | C. Kershaw | 3.32/1.14 |
| Orioles | D. Kremer | 4.58/1.44 | Giants | L. Webb | 2.75/1.07 |
How To Bet on NRFI
At BetMGM, you can bet any NRFI on any game. Just click on any game in the baseball odds section of the online sportsbook, then head to the “Innings” tab.
Find the question near the top, “Will There be a Run in the 1st Inning?” The “No” option is the NRFI.
Because baseball is (often accurately) perceived as a sport without much scoring, there is often a price to pay when betting on a NRFI. For example, the NRFI may be juiced to a -135 vig.
For games with elite pitching matchups, the cost could be even higher.
How To Bet on YRFI
Like the NRFI, YRFI’s are available for any MLB game at BetMGM. Just click on any game in the baseball odds section of the online sportsbook, then head to the “Innings” tab.
Find the question near the top, “Will There be a Run in the 1st Inning?” The “Yes” option is the YRFI.
Betting on offense at a specific point in a baseball game is difficult and unpredictable, so YRFIs are often priced with a more lucrative return.
For games with poor pitching matchups or spot starters, that return could be lower.
Baseball Odds at the Sportsbook
At BetMGM, baseball odds are available before and after first pitch.
With live sports betting, you can place wagers on over/under totals, run lines, and more during regular-season and postseason MLB games. Whether you’re a first-time bettor, casual fan who places a few bets per week, or seasoned pro betting several games per night, it’s easy to place live bets at the sportsbook.
