Best NRFI Bets Today: No Run First Inning Picks For Thursday, June 19

Tarik Skubal and Cristopher Sanchez highlight our best NRFI bets today - can we build on our 30-19 record?

Last Updated: June 19, 2025 10:21 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Best NRFI Bets Today - Thursday, June 19 — Pictured Cristopher Sanchez delivers a pitch. Photo by Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Welcome to our best NRFI bets today for Thursday, June 19. It's a beautiful day when you have a full slate of afternoon baseball to sweat.

As it stands, we're sitting at 30-19 with 6.88 extra units in our pocket on the season after a solid 1-0 day following a postponement. Do we count that as a sweep? Maybe. But we have Garret Crochet and Luis Castillo to thank for getting us in the win column nonetheless. Let's do it all over again with today's first-inning picks and predictions.

I have a couple of plays for you I absolutely love, so let's stay hot using odds from our best sports betting sites.

Best NRFI picks today: Thursday, June 19

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Detroit Tigers - Game 1 (-155 at DraftKings)
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins (-135 at ESPN BET)

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Pirates vs. Tigers - 1:10 p.m. ET

Andrew Heaney (3.33 ERA) vs. Tarik Skubal (1.99 ERA)
NRFI record: Pirates (43-31) vs. Tigers (41-33)

Well, we had a postponement here yesterday, but we're more than ready to run this play back.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know backing the AL Cy Young Award Odds favorite in Skubal is good for your NRFIs, but the ace looks even better in this specific matchup.

The Pirates own just a .287 xwOBA against the southpaw, and, while Oneil Cruz hasn't taken an at-bat against him in his career (which should work out in our favor), the projected two-three hitters are a combined 1-12 versus Skubal. Look for him to not only have a clean, three-up, three-down first inning, but to go deep into the ballgame as part of our Pirates vs Tigers predictions.

Can Heaney get us across the finish line? He's coming off two straight quality starts and owns a 30% whiff rate against this Tigers team. We're always in the mood for some weak contact if we find ourselves in a first-inning jam, and the lefty can provide just that. Let's ride him as part of our best NRFI bets today.

Confidence level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best NRFI bets today: -155 at DraftKings

Phillies vs. Marlins - 6:40 p.m. ET

Cristopher Sanchez (3.05 ERA) vs. Edward Cabrera (4.10 ERA)
NRFI record: Phillies (38-36) vs. Mariners (38-34)

Are we crazy? We're actually riding Cabrera against the Phillies' vaunted offense? Well, yea - and for a couple of reasons.

For starters, Philadelphia is hitting .233 against Cabrera across 90 plate appearances, now that's a sample size we can fall in love with. On top of that, the projected top three own abysmal numbers versus the righty, with Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Alec Bohm a combined 6-for-29 (.206). I know it might be a roller-coaster ride of emotions for the first inning, but this will work for us. All you gotta do is believe.

With the Phillies, it just makes sense to ride the Sanchez wave as part of our best NRFI bets today. The Marlins own a paltry .132 xwOBA against the ace, who hasn't allowed a run in the first frame in five straight starts. We like what we see here.

Here's to a 2-0 day.

Confidence level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best NRFI bets today: -150 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 on 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

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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.