Best NRFI Bets Today: No Run First Inning Picks For Monday, July 21

Skenes and Woodruff highlight our best NRFI bets today. Can we build on our 50-34 record?

Last Updated: July 21, 2025 3:11 PM EDT • 4 minute read

Best NRFI Bets Today - Monday, July 21 — Pictured: Paul Skenes - who's highlighted in our best NRFI bets today - of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning. Photo by: Brett Davis via Imagn Images.

Welcome to our best NRFI bets today for Monday, July 21.

We hit a milestone on Sunday, earning our 50th NRFI win behind Bryan Woo and Hunter Brown. We love backing our horses and will continue to do so today - six sweat-free outs are on deck.

We're now sitting at 50-34 on the campaign with 7.79 extra units in our pocket. Let's kick the week off by building our collective bankroll. It's time to get into my first-inning picks and predictions using odds from our best sports betting sites.

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

💰 Best NRFI picks today: Monday, July 21

Detroit Tigers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (-180 at FanDuel)
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Seattle Mariners (-155 at DraftKings)

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⚾️ Tigers vs. Pirates - 6:40 p.m. ET

Jack Flaherty (4.65 ERA) vs. Paul Skenes (2.01 ERA)
NRFI record: Tigers (54-46) vs. Pirates (59-41)

We talked about riding our horses to the bank. Well, how about Cy Young odds contender Paul Skenes? The electric right-hander hasn't allowed more than two runs across his last three starts (15 innings), which doesn't include his three-up, three-down All-Star Game appearance. The Tigers own just a .190 xBA in this matchup, with their top three hitters just 2-for-11 lifetime against him. That'll play as part of our best NRFI bets today.

Flaherty is another story. He's having the epitome of a roller-coaster season, but we're tailing him in a good spot here. The Pirates are one of the worst offenses in baseball (they just got swept by the White Sox) and haven't scored a run in the first frame in their last 14 games. I'm trusting Flaherty to get us three simple outs today.

Confidence level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best NRFI bets today: -180 at FanDuel

⚾️ Brewers vs. Mariners - 9:40 p.m. ET

Brandon Woodruff (2.61 ERA) vs. George Kirby (4.50 ERA)
NRFI record: Brewers (57-42) vs. Mariners (49-50)

Welcome back, Woody. For the first time this year, we're firing you up as part of our best NRFI bets today.

Woodruff has been great since returning from injury, firing 10 1/3 innings of three-run baseball. He's coming off a 4 1/3-inning, 10-strikeout performance against the Nats, too. The right-hander has been a huge boost to the Brewers' rotation, and there's no doubt in my mind he'll continue his lights-out ways against the Mariners tonight.

Kirby will get the job done for us on the other side. He's going up against one of the best NRFI teams in baseball, and an offense that hasn't scored in the first inning in eight straight games.

I'd price this play closer to -170 betting odds than the -155 we're getting at DraftKings. Let's ride with the value we're getting here.

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.