Best NRFI Bets Today: MLB No Run First Inning Picks for Tuesday, Sept. 8
My best NRFI bets today highlight the Angels vs. Red Sox and the Blue Jays vs. Athletics. Below, I explain why Reid Detmers is going to shut down the Red Sox and why Patrick Sandoval will do the same to the Angels. Then, I dissect why Athletics' starter Jack Perkins first-inning struggles won't be an issue against the Blue Jays.
Here are my best NRFI picks for the 15-game MLB slate, as I expect both of these contests to finish with no runs in the first inning.
βΎ Best NRFI bets today: Sept. 8
See all of our expertsβ MLB picks based on the latest MLB odds.
| βΎ NRFI pick | π΅ Units | π Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Angels vs. Red Sox NRFI (-130 via FanDuel) | 2u β 1.54u | Sandoval has held opponents scoreless in 80% of his first innings, and Detmers hasn't allowed a first-inning run in eight of his last nine starts. |
| Blue Jays vs. Athletics NRFI (-104 via FanDuel) | 1.5u β 1.44u | Despite struggling in first innings, Perkins will survive unscathed against a Blue Jays' offense that is the worst first-inning team in baseball. |
Total wagered: 3.5 units | Max profit: 2.98 units
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π° Best NRFI bet today
Angels vs. Red Sox (6:45 p.m. ET)
- Reid Detmers (3.44 ERA) vs. Patrick Sandoval (4.41 ERA)
- NRFI records: Angels (66.7%) vs. Red Sox (74.5%)
The Angels are actually one of the best teams at scoring in the first inning. However, they face Sandoval tonight, who has held opponents scoreless in the first frame in 80% of his starts this season.
Then there's the Red Sox and their slow starts. The Red Sox have been held scoreless in 108 first innings, managing a first-inning run in just 25.5% of their games. Detmers has held opponents scoreless through one inning in 21.4% of his starts.
📡 SBR Edge: Detmers is on fire
Detmers has held opponents scoreless in six consecutive starts. He hasn't allowed a first-inning run since the Astros scored once on July 28. He's held opponents scoreless in the first inning in eight of his last nine starts.
π₯ More NRFI picks today
Blue Jays vs. Athletics (9:40 p.m. ET)
- Jose Soriano (3.52 ERA) vs. Jack Perkins (6.50 ERA)
- NRFI records: Blue Jays (75.8%) vs. Athletics (72.4%)
Neither Soriano nor Perkins has pitched particularly well of late, but the Blue Jays are the least likely team to score in the first inning, and the Athletics have scored in just 40 first innings. That's tied for the ninth-fewest in the league.
Additionally, Soriano has yet to allow a first-inning run in his six starts with the Blue Jays, despite allowing 14 earned runs in his last four starts. Perkins has allowed a first-inning run in 46.2% of his starts, which is the only reason this isn't a two-star play.
π Best NRFI parlay today
If Perkins wasn't starting, this would be a 1.5-unit parlay. Perkins allows too many first-inning runs, but I still expect him to hold the Blue Jays scoreless, just like over 75% of opponents have this season. When it comes to the Angels and Red Sox, Detmers and Sandoval are too hot to bet against right now.
💵 Best NRFI parlay today
- Angels vs. Red Sox NRFI (-130)
- Blue Jays vs. Athletics NRFI (-104)
Best odds: +244via FanDuel (1u -> 2.44u)
π΅ My betting record for MLB picks
All MLB picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since Sep. 7.
| Bet type | Record | Net profit | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3-0 | +4.37 units β | +124.9% β |
| NRFI picks | 2-0 | +2.06 units β | +82.5% β |
| NRFI parlays | 1-0 | +2.31 units β | +231% β |
π‘ How I'm betting NRFI picks today (Sept. 8)
Follow all of our MLB analysis and expert predictions for baseball season.
If the Athletics were starting any pitcher other than Perkins, then I'd have two 2-unit plays today. But with how much Perkins has struggled early in games, I can't go all-in on him, even against the league's worst first-inning offense. Still, with Soriano on the mound, I'm making Blue Jays vs. Athletics a 1.5-unit play. However, I'm even more confident in the Angels and Red Sox finishing scoreless, because both Detmers and Sandoval have been excellent in early innings this season.
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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