Another season of Major League Baseball is underway. No Run First Inning (NRFI) and Yes Run First Inning (YRFI) bets have become some of the most entertaining to make each day, so we’ve set out to showcase our best picks throughout the season.
There are 14 games on tap today, giving us a massive range of NRFI bets to choose from. Here’s what I’m rolling with this afternoon.
All MLB odds are current as of Thursday, March 27.
Best NRFI Bet Today
Pirates vs Marlins: NRFI (-195)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Marlins and Pirates ranked among the league’s worst in runs scored per game in 2024, and they’ll both have their aces on the mound today.
Pittsburgh will deploy reigning NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes, who allowed one run through six innings when he last took on Miami in early September. Meanwhile, the Marlins are rolling with Sandy Alcántara, who missed the 2024 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Neither side boasts much power at the plate. NRFI is the way to go at (-195).
Best MLB Player Prop Bets Today
Check out the best MLB player prop bets to make with our props comparison tool. Click on a game below to see all of its prop bets.
What Is an NRFI bet?
An NRFI bet is when you predict there won’t be any runs in the first inning. This includes both the top and bottom halves of the inning.
If one or more runs are scored, you’ll lose your bet. It doesn’t matter which team scores the run.
What Is a YRFI bet?
A YRFI bet is when you wager that a run will be scored in the first inning. It likewise includes both the top and bottom of the first.
If one or more runs are scored, your bet hits. As with NRFI, it doesn’t matter which team scores the run.
How Do I Make NRFI Bets and YRFI Bets?
To place an NRFI or YRFI bet, go to your sportsbook’s baseball page. From there, click your preferred game to access the entire selection of bet types for the game.
You’ll find NRFI and YRFI listed somewhere among in-game or innings props.
You must consider a few factors when choosing whether to bet “yes" or “no" on runs scored in the first inning.
First, take a look at the pitching matchup. If you have two aces like Max Scherzer and Corbin Burnes going at it, that would be a tough spot for a run in the first inning. However, if there are one or two volatile pitchers, you can bet on YRFI.
At the same time, if you choose a game with two aces, remember that the moneyline will be juiced up, giving you less value on your bet.
Another one of the keys to look for when targeting YRFI is control issues. If a pitcher has trouble throwing strikes, that means we’ll see more walks and baserunners, which bodes well for YRFI.
You also want to take a look at the lineup order. The best hitters come to the plate in the first inning, so if the game involves a strong offense, it might be risky to bet on NRFI.
Make sure to consider the implied team totals. For example, if the New York Yankees are -200 favorites in a game with a 10.5 run total, that gives them a 5.5 run implied team total. This means that they are projected to score a lot of runs in that game, which bodes well for YRFI.
Being mindful of these factors should put you on the right track to succeed in YRFI and NRFI bets. This is more important to look at than trends like “Team X has scored in the first inning in seven consecutive games" because there is more context involved.
Best MLB NRFI Sportsbooks
It’s important to shop around across multiple sportsbooks to find the best odds on your NRFI bet. Even if one site offers a -120 moneyline compared to +100, that’s still a $20 savings on a $100 bet.
You want to get the most bang for your buck as a bettor, so be sure to choose some of the best operators on the market, including the following:
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel has become the most popular betting site in the United States due to its user-friendly app and robust betting markets.
The site features same-game parlays, where you can combine several bet types for higher payouts. There are also useful promos that you can target, such as odds boosts. These give you more value on your bets.
FanDuel features some of the best odds in the industry, so it’s a great choice for NRFI bets.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings transitioned from one of the leaders in daily fantasy sports into a powerhouse in the sports-betting space.
You’ll find everything you need for NRFI bets at DraftKings, including the ability to put them into single-game parlays.
The site is easy to navigate, which enhances the user experience and makes DraftKings one of the premier options.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM emerged from a partnership between MGM Resorts and Entain Holdings to form one of the best sportsbooks around.
The site has a detailed live-betting platform with live streaming on select events, which is fantastic for a fast-paced wager like NRFI since you can sweat your bet in real time.
There are also numerous odds boosts that give you more value on your wagers at BetMGM.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars has become a giant in the sports-betting industry after purchasing reputable betting site William Hill in 2021.
Aside from offering everything you’ll need as a sports bettor, Caesars has some of the best welcome bonuses and VIP rewards programs. You can redeem your rewards points for terrific prizes like hotel accommodations and fine dining.
Enjoy a sleek aesthetic and accessible platform when placing your NRFI bet.
bet365 Sportsbook
bet365 prides itself as the world’s largest sportsbook, featuring a comprehensive selection of betting markets and a detailed live-betting platform.
The site allows you to make parlays on in-game wagers, which isn’t often offered by other sportsbooks.
There’s also an organized layout that makes it easy to find your bet and a user-friendly site that functions at a high speed.
