Even with MLB's new pitch clock, you still have to wait a few hours to sweat out your MLB picks. But, with No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets, you get the same betting drama and tension plus a nearly immediate result.
Below we have a complete breakdown of the NRFI inning betting trends and the best MLB teams for each side of the wager:
NRFI Betting Trends
| Team | # Games | 1st Inning Runs Scored per game | 1st Inning Runs Against per game | # Games with a run in the 1st Inning (For/Against) | # Games w/o a run in the 1st Inning (For/Against) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 128 | 0.7 | 0.39 | 62 | 66 |
| Atlanta | 126 | 0.53 | 0.48 | 57 | 69 |
| Chi Cubs | 127 | 0.49 | 0.34 | 48 | 79 |
| Cincinnati | 127 | 0.41 | 0.5 | 54 | 73 |
| Colorado | 127 | 0.5 | 0.72 | 69 | 58 |
| Miami | 127 | 0.6 | 0.65 | 68 | 59 |
| Houston | 126 | 0.52 | 0.65 | 62 | 64 |
| LA Dodgers | 128 | 0.64 | 0.48 | 68 | 60 |
| Milwaukee | 126 | 0.51 | 0.55 | 61 | 65 |
| Washington | 127 | 0.35 | 0.47 | 49 | 78 |
| NY Mets | 127 | 0.39 | 0.39 | 48 | 79 |
| Philadelphia | 126 | 0.67 | 0.36 | 63 | 63 |
| Pittsburgh | 126 | 0.35 | 0.47 | 48 | 78 |
| San Diego | 128 | 0.55 | 0.56 | 63 | 65 |
| San Francisco | 129 | 0.39 | 0.57 | 56 | 73 |
| St. Louis | 126 | 0.49 | 0.51 | 51 | 75 |
| LA Angels | 127 | 0.35 | 0.63 | 58 | 69 |
| Baltimore | 128 | 0.55 | 0.38 | 57 | 71 |
| Boston | 126 | 0.56 | 0.48 | 67 | 59 |
| Chi White Sox | 128 | 0.3 | 0.51 | 53 | 75 |
| Detroit | 127 | 0.45 | 0.48 | 63 | 64 |
| Kansas City | 127 | 0.49 | 0.46 | 57 | 70 |
| Minnesota | 127 | 0.52 | 0.51 | 65 | 62 |
| NY Yankees | 127 | 0.75 | 0.47 | 71 | 56 |
| Oakland | 127 | 0.45 | 0.63 | 63 | 64 |
| Seattle | 128 | 0.53 | 0.37 | 53 | 75 |
| Tampa Bay | 126 | 0.46 | 0.51 | 62 | 64 |
| Texas | 128 | 0.5 | 0.47 | 64 | 64 |
| Toronto | 127 | 0.54 | 0.53 | 59 | 68 |
| Cleveland | 126 | 0.44 | 0.48 | 61 | 65 |
colorado Remains YRFI GOAT
You'd better consider a YRFI wager whenever the Rox are in action. Colorado's offense averages just 0.54 runs per first inning, but the club's pitching is so brutal that Colorado owns a 69-58 YRFI record. The Rockies allow 0.72 runs per first inning (by far the worst in MLB), and you can see those numbers reflected in their starting staff's first-inning ERAs. For example, Austin Gomber owns an 11.50 ERA in the first, while Ryan Feltner sits at a 7.11 ERA.
NRFI? Bet Washington
The Nats combine quality first-inning pitching (0.47 runs allowed) and abysmal hitting (0.35 runs scored) to become the perfect NRFI club. Washington has held the NRFI crown all season, and there's little evidence they'll cough up the throne any time soon. The Nationals offense is truly at the bottom of the barrel, batting just .206 in the first with a terrible .286 OBP.
If a NRFI-heavy club faces Washington, hammer that No Run First Inning bet.
What Are NRFI Bets?
YRFI/NRFI stands for 'Yes Run First Inning' or 'No Run First Inning'. Simply put, this is a betting market where you're predicting if there will or will not be at least one run scored in the first inning of a game. This run can come from either team, in the top or bottom half of the inning. It's just an OVER/UNDER 0.5 runs scored wager for the first inning of the game. Here's an example of what the market would look like at your MLB sportsbook:
Will There Be a 1st Inning Run In the Brewers vs Cardinals Game?
- Yes Run -115
- No Run -115
Many YRFI/NRFI odds are close to even money for both sides of the wager. In this case, a winning $100 bet on either side of the market would pay out $186.96, per our odds calculator. You just pick if you think the Brewers and/or the Cards will get to the starting pitchers early, and choose which side you're riding with.
