Best NRFI Bets Today: No Run First Inning Picks for Friday, July 18

JP Sears and Reese Olson highlight our best NRFI bets today. Can we build on our 47-31 record?

Last Updated: July 18, 2025 10:31 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Best NRFI Bets Today - July 18 — Pictured: Reese Olson - who's highlighted in our best NRFI bets today - throws a pitch during the first inning. Photo by: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Welcome to our best NRFI bets today for Friday, July 18. The end of the first half of the season couldn't have gone any better for us, as we polished off a clean 6-0 run before the All-Star break. Our adventure to the moon is all systems go.

We're now sitting at 47-31 with 8.62 extra units in our pocket this season. Let's kick off the weekend with some added funds in our collective wallet. It's time to get into my first-inning picks and predictions using odds from the best sports betting sites.

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

Best NRFI picks today: Friday, July 18

Athletics vs. Cleveland Guardians (-135 at FanDuel)
Detroit Tigers vs. Texas Rangers (-120 at DraftKings)

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

Athletics vs. Guardians - 7:10 p.m. ET

JP Sears (4.79 ERA) vs. Slade Cecconi (3.44 ERA)
NRFI record: Athletics (51-47) vs. Guardians (58-37)

Two pitchers who own great numbers in this matchup, and two of the best NRFI teams in baseball. I don't know about you, but I could end this write-up right now and feel good about this wager as part of our best NRFI bets today.

But we'll continue on though, starting with Sears, who's limited this Guardians team to a .238 xBA across 58 plate appearances. Cleveland simply can't square him up while averaging an exit velocity of just 85 mph. Among notable weaklings against Sears is Jose Ramirez (3-for-12, three strikeouts). Let's get three simple outs here.

On the other side it's Cecconi, who's striking the Athletics out at a 20% clip. Only Brent Rooker has logged more than one hit against him in the Athletics' lineup (2-for-5). That'll be enough to get us across the finish line.

Confidence level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best NRFI bets today: -135 at FanDuel

Tigers vs. Rangers - 8:10 p.m. ET

Reese Olson (2.95 ERA) vs. Patrick Corbin (4.15 ERA)
NRFI record: Tigers (51-46) vs. Rangers (55-42)

For as good as this Detroit offense has been so far, the Tigers aren't the league's best team at scoring in the first frame. So we'll fade them against Corbin as part of our best NRFI bets today.

Let's highlight Riley Greene, who's 0-for-8 against the veteran right-hander during his career. Greene is the engine of Detroit's offense, and we should be fine getting past the Tigers' bats if Corbin can continue to get him out.

Our Gabe Henderson is also riding Corbin as part of our Tigers vs. Rangers prediction tonight. We're feeling good about this one.

Olson will bring us home. He hasn't allowed more than three runs in a start since April 11, and Olson has given up just three across his last 15 1/3 innings pitched. He's as hot as they come, and the hurler won't have an issue getting three outs for us tonight against the Rangers.

Confidence level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best NRFI bets today: -120 at DraftKings

💡 More 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 your favorite sportsbook, head over to the market and game of your choice. Then click on “first inning.” You should see an option to bet on a NRFI or a YRFI from there.

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

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
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.