Best NRFI Bets Today: No Run First Inning Picks For Thursday, Aug. 7

Logan Gilbert and Paul Skenes highlight our best NRFI bets today. Can we build on our 58-45 record?

Last Updated: August 7, 2025 11:03 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Best NRFI Bets Today: Picks & Predictions for Thursday, Aug. 7 — Pictured: Paul Skenes - who's highlighted in our best NRFI bets today - reacts after pitching six scoreless innings. Photo by: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Welcome to our best NRFI bets today for Thursday, Aug. 7.

After a brief hiatus, we're back to looking for six simple outs with a pair of plays today amid a short slate that will only help us on our trek to the moon.

We now sit comfortably with a 58-45 record while heading into the back half of the season. Let's dive into my first-inning picks and predictions for today using odds from our best sports betting sites.

All of these plays are one-unit wagers unless specified otherwise.

💰 Best NRFI picks today: Thursday, Aug. 7

Chicago White Sox vs. Seattle Mariners (-135 at DraftKings)
Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (-155 at DraftKings)

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⚾️ White Sox vs. Mariners - 4:10 p.m. ET

Shane Smith (4.25 ERA) vs. Logan Gilbert (3.45 ERA)
NRFI record: White Sox (53-61) vs. Mariners (60-55)

We're taking a Chicago White Sox pitcher as part of our best NRFI bets today? You better believe we are.

For what it's worth, Shane Smith hasn't been terrible this year - which, I understand, may seem like an incredibly low bar to be featured in our NRFI plays. The first-time All-Star has been serviceable, and he matches up well against the Mariners after holding them to a .214 average and striking Seattle out at a 27% clip. It's not a large sample size, but it should be enough to get us the three outs we need.

And Logan Gilbert? Well, he's been dominating Chicago across 43 plate appearances, limiting the lineup to a .238 xBA and .285 xwOBA. I've felt better about plays before, but I would actually price this closer to -145 than the -135 betting odds we're getting with DraftKings.

Confidence level: ⭐⭐⭐

Best NRFI bets today: -135 at DraftKings

⚾️ Reds vs. Pirates - 10:10 p.m. ET

Brady Singer (4.38 ERA) vs. Paul Skenes (2.02 ERA)
NRFI record: Reds (58-57) vs. Pirates (67-48)

Well, well, well, we meet again, Mr. Skenes. We may as well give him Employee of the Month honors when it comes to our best NRFI bets today.

The electric righty has not only been featured heavily this year around these parts, but he's become a cash cow for us. Skenes hasn't allowed a run in the first frame all year long, and the Cy Young odds front-runner shouldn't struggle against a Reds team that owns just a .185 xBA against him. We're riding Skenes with confidence one more time.

Singer is going to take us home.

By now, you know we love large sample sizes, and that's exactly what the Reds starter is giving us in this matchup. Singer has limited the Pirates to a .246 average across 66 plate appearances, and that includes owning Bryan Reynolds (2-for-10) and Andrew McCutchen (0-for-3).

I'm seeing slightly more value at DraftKings over the other best sports betting apps, which are pricing this play at -160 betting odds.

Buckle up, and let's sweep the slate on a day when not much is going on in the baseball world.

Confidence level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best NRFI bets today: -155 at DraftKings

💡 Expert MLB predictions today

❓ Best NRFI bets today FAQs

What is a NRFI bet?

A NRFI bet is a wager on a matchup to go scoreless in the first inning. You can either wager “No Runs First Inning” or “Yes Runs First Inning” depending on the type of bet you'd like to make.

How do I place a NRFI bet?

To place a NRFI bet, simply go to one of our best sportsbooks, head over to the market and your game of choice. Then click on “first inning.” You should see an option to bet on a NRFI or a YRFI.

Can you parlay a NRFI bet?

The simple answer is yes! Just like making any parlay, you can combine two or more NRFIs across the MLB slate for any given day.

💵 Best MLB betting sites

Want to bet on baseball? Check out the best MLB betting sites and best sportsbook promos for today's games:

FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
Hard Rock Bet Promo Code | Read our Hard Rock Bet Review

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Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Written by:
Dustin Saracini

Dustin Saracini is a Senior Publishing Editor & Analyst for Sportsbook Review. Dustin has been in the industry for 11-plus years, making various stops across Canada while gaining tremendous experience within the sports and betting landscape. Dustin has hosted multiple shows during his time in the sports betting industry, discussing NBA, NFL, PGA, and MLB betting markets with top handicappers from around the country, and has appeared on CNN as a betting consultant. Dustin wagers every single day and line shops at all of the top sportsbooks (FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars). He firmly believes that discipline is the only way you can become a profitable bettor. Dustin graduated from Western University with a broadcast journalism degree/diploma in 2014. If you want to see more of his plays, make sure to follow his Twitter @DustinSaracini. Follow for picks, strategies, and more.