The MLB season has arrived, and so has our NRFI betting series article.
While traditional markets like moneylines and totals on full games are fun, if you’re the type that prefers an intense bet that settles quickly, then a No-Run First Inning (NRFI) or Yes-Run First Inning (YRFI) is perfect for you.
This MLB bet type allows you to choose whether a run will be scored in the first inning. While it may seem like a dart throw at first, when you dive a bit deeper, you come to understand that there is a strategy involved with this type of wager.
Just remember that with long odds comes high risk. For example, a wager at -110 would require you to be successful at a 53% clip to avoid a loss. However, if you increase those odds to -200, you need to convert at a 66.7% rate to break even.
This daily article series will outline a process to help you decide on your NRFI or YRFI bets in MLB.
So without further ado, let’s dive into our best NRFI bet for Friday, March 31.
Best NRFI Bet Today
Rockies @ Padres: YRFI (+105) • DraftKings Sportsbook
Kyle Freeland (COL) at Nick Martinez (SD)
Kyle Freeland becomes an easy target in a Friday slate that only contains five games.
The 29-year-old southpaw posted a 5.38 FIP and 1.77 HR/9 with a 1.63 FIP against left-handed bats last season. Unfortunately, that will not work against a San Diego lineup that includes Juan Soto, Trent Grisham, and Jake Cronenworth.
If that were not enough, Padres third baseman Manny Machado is 12-for-43 (.316) with six extra-base hits and five walks against Freeland.
While the Padres bats are the primary reason for expecting a YRFI on Friday, Nick Martinez is not exactly bulletproof. The right-hander carried a 4.50 FIP after Aug. 31 last season with a 1.23 WHIP and 11.1% walk rate while struggling against left-handed hitting.
Look for some early fireworks in this divisional matchup.
For more information on this game, read today’s MLB best bets and predictions.
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 a NRFI bet?
A NRFI bet is when you predict that there will not be any runs in the first inning. This includes both the top and bottom halves of the inning.
If there is one run scored, you will lose your bet. It does not 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 also includes both the top and bottom of the first.
If there are one or more runs 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, simply go to the MLB page on your sportsbook. 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 in-game or innings props.
When choosing whether you want to bet yes or no on runs scored in the first inning, you need to consider a few factors.
First, take a look at the pitching matchup. If you have two aces going at it like Max Scherzer and Corbin Burnes, it 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, we need to remember that if you’re choosing a game with two aces, 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 be mindful of 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 gone 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 their 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 around.
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 such a fast-paced bet type like NRFI since you can sweat your bet in real time.
There are 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 following the purchase of reputable betting site William Hill in 2021.
Aside from offering everything you’ll need as a sports bettor, Caesars also has some of the best welcome bonuses and VIP rewards programs around. 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.
PointsBet Sportsbook
PointsBet has garnered interest throughout the sports betting world because of their innovative platform that features a distinct bet type.
This is known as “PointsBetting," which allows the user to win more if their team has a greater margin, but lose more if the opposite is true.
It’s a high-risk, high-reward style of betting that adds more excitement to the experience.
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 is not often offered by other sportsbooks.
There is also an organized layout that makes it easy to find your bet, as well as a user-friendly site that functions at a high speed.
