Best NRFI Bets Today: MLB No Run First Inning Picks for Thursday, Aug. 20
With a nine-game MLB slate on tap today, there are plenty of opportunities to target the best NRFI bets today across the board. An NRFI, or No Run First Inning, wager wins when neither team scores during the opening inning. Starting pitching, recent first-inning trends, and the strength of each lineup’s top three hitters can all play a major role when identifying the best spots.
Today’s slate features several matchups worth targeting, and I’m breaking down my favorite NRFI bets with the numbers and trends that stand out most.
⚾ Best NRFI bets today: August 20
See all of our experts’ MLB picks based on the latest MLB odds.
| ⚾ NRFI pick | Units | 📝 Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yankees vs. Orioles NRFI (-125 via FanDuel) | 1.25u → 1u | Both the Yankees and Orioles are better NRFI teams than YRFI teams, including the Orioles having the fourth-most NRFI wins in the league. |
| Nationals vs. Rangers NRFI (-125 via DraftKings) | 1.25u → 1u | With an extremely low total sitting at 7.5, and the Rangers starting DeGrom, this should be an easy NRFI here. |
Total wagered: 2.5 units | Max profit: 2 units
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💰 Best NRFI bet today
Yankees vs. Orioles (6:35 p.m. ET)
- Gerrit Cole (3.22 ERA) vs. Kyle Bradish (3.65 ERA)
- NRFI records: Yankees (63-63) vs. Orioles (70-57)
The Yankees vs. Orioles matchup is one of my favorite NRFI spots on today’s nine-game MLB slate. Both teams have capable starting pitchers who should be able to attack the strike zone early and avoid giving opposing offenses free baserunners. While both lineups feature plenty of power, the opening inning can often favor the pitchers when they are working with a clean slate.
A quick start from both starters and a couple of early outs against the heart of each lineup should put this game in a strong position to cash an NRFI.
📡 SBR Edge: Yankees struggling offense continues
The Yankees have statistically been the worst offense in baseball since Aaron Judge went on the extended injured list. The Yankees have also been cashing NRFI's at a high rate during this time, while the Orioles are the fourth-best NRFI team in the league. This is a recipe for a home run NRFI.
🔥 More NRFI picks today
Nationals vs. Rangers (8:05 p.m. ET)
- Andrew Alvarez (3.72 ERA) vs. Jacob DeGrom (3.95 ERA)
- NRFI records: Nationals (61-67) vs. Rangers (50-77)
The Nationals vs. Rangers matchup is a strong candidate to cash an NRFI, especially with Jacob deGrom taking the mound for Texas. DeGrom remains one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers when healthy, possessing the strikeout ability and command to work through the opening inning without allowing much damage.
Andrew Alvarez gets the start for Washington and will look to keep the Rangers’ offense quiet early. With deGrom capable of shutting down the Nationals and Alvarez needing just three outs, this matchup has the ingredients for a scoreless first inning today.
🚀 Best NRFI parlay today
We are parlaying both of our NRFI plays today for a decent payout. We believe the pitching matchup in both games will carry us to a winner tonight.
💵 Best NRFI parlay today
- Yankees vs. Orioles NRFI (-125)
- Nationals vs. Rangers NRFI (-125)
Best odds:+220 via FanDuel (.5u -> 1.07u)
💵 My betting record for MLB picks
All MLB picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since March 7.
| Bet type | Record | Net profit | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 28-21-1 | +5.2 units ✅ | 79.76% ✅ |
| Game picks | 18-8-0 | +7.9 units ✅ | 56.99% ✅ |
| Player props | 7-11-1 | -6.3 units ❌ | 48.91% ❌ |
| Parlays | 3-2-0 | +3.6 units ✅ | +88.88% ✅ |
❓ NRFI betting FAQ
What does NRFI mean in baseball betting?
NRFI stands for "No Run First Inning." It's a popular MLB bet that neither team will score in the first inning of a game, and the bet settles after just six outs (three per half-inning).
What does YRFI mean?
YRFI stands for "Yes Run First Inning" - the opposite of an NRFI. This MLB prop bet cashes if there's at least one run by either team in the first inning.
What should I look for when betting NRFIs?
Each team's starting pitcher is the biggest factor in cashing a NRFI bet, but you should also focus on each team's NRFI records (home vs. away) and each lineup's first-inning tendencies. Recent form can also play a bigger role than full-season numbers.
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