Best NRFI Bets Today: MLB No Run First Inning Picks for Monday, June 29
While there are 13 games in MLB on Monday, there aren't a ton of aces taking the mound, which is why my best NRFI bets today are focused on a matchup between two struggling offenses and a game between a pair of NRFI juggernauts.
Among my favorite NRFI picks for today's slate - NRFI stands for No Run First Inning, meaning neither team scores before the second inning begins - is a battle between two offenses that sit in the bottom five in RBIs this season.
βΎ Best NRFI bets today: June 29
See all of our expertsβ MLB picks based on the latest MLB odds.
| βΎ NRFI pick | π΅ Units | π Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rangers vs. Guardians NRFI (-130 via DraftKings) | 1u β 0.77u | Two of the least effective offenses in MLB |
| Padres vs. Cubs NRFI (+122 via FanDuel) | 1u β 1.22u | The two best NRFI teams in MLB |
Total wagered: 2 units | Max profit: 1.99 units
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π° Best NRFI bet today
Rangers vs. Guardians (7:10 p.m. ET)
- Tyler Alexander (2.62 ERA) vs. Parker Messick (2.67 ERA)
- NRFI records: Rangers (30-54) vs. Guardians (48-36)
Neither the Texas Rangers nor the Cleveland Guardians have had much success bringing home runners this season. Texas has the fifth-fewest RBIs in MLB (327), and Cleveland is even worse with the third-fewest (317).
Beyond the ineptitude offensively, Cleveland also has Parker Messick on the mound tonight. The 25-year-old is having a breakout season and ranks in the top 20 in MLB in ERA, WHIP (1.05), and strikeouts (101).
Meanwhile, Tyler Alexander gets the start for Texas, and he hasn't allowed a run in his last six appearances.
📡 SBR Edge: Cleveland's among the best NRFI teams
On average, the Guardians give up just 0.39 runs in the first inning of games, the second-lowest mark in MLB. Cleveland also averages just 0.45 runs in the first inning of games.
π₯ More NRFI picks today
Padres vs. Cubs (8:05 p.m. ET)
- Griffin Canning (7.38 ERA) vs. Shota Imanaga (4.40 ERA)
- NRFI records: Padres (55-27) vs. Cubs (51-33)
Don't let the inconsistency of the starting pitchers in this matchup stop you from taking these plus-money odds. While Griffin Canning and Shota Imanaga aren't having the most stellar seasons, these are by far the best NRFI teams in MLB, with the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs having combined to have no run first innings in 16 of their last 20 games.
It's no surprise to see the Padres dominate NRFIs, they're bottom two in MLB in total bases (975), RBIs (313), OBP (.297), and SLG (.365).
Obviously the Cubs are the more lethal offensive team, but they've averaged just 0.42 runs in the first inning of games this season.
π Best NRFI parlay today
With the Rangers and Guardians both struggling to score, and the Padres and Cubs being the two best NRFI teams in MLB, I'm sticking to just these two games. There aren't many big-time pitchers taking the mound on Monday, so I'd rather keep it simple and focus on just these two games.
💵 Best NRFI parlay today
- Rangers vs. Guardians NRFI (-130)
- Padres vs. Cubs NRFI (+115)
Best odds: +280 via DraftKings (0.2u -> 0.76u)
π‘ How I'm betting NRFI picks today (June 29)
Follow all of our MLB analysis and expert predictions for baseball season.
Without any obvious pitching duel to focus on for today's slate, my approach is to bet that two of MLB's worst offenses will continue to disappoint. And with San Diego and Chicago so consistently going runless in the first innings of games, paired with the Padres' inept offense, that's the only other matchup that I have confidence in today.
I'm sticking to one unit on both games, and I'd be willing to play the Rangers-Guardians matchup at any price shorter than -145, while I'd play Padres-Cubs at any plus-money number.
β 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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