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Read our best NRFI betting picks today - Major League Baseball NRFI predictions for 5/23/2025. No Runs First Inning (NRFI) betting tips, expert MLB predictions, odds, and trends.
We've got a full slate of games on Friday, so it's time to bring you my best NRFI bets today and bonus bets. We'll try to go 4-0 on our NRFI picks, ranging from -125 to -160 odds.
There are a few intriguing spots for scoreless first innings today. We've got a projected pitcher's duel in Pittsburgh between Freddy Peralta and Paul Skenes, Matthew Boyd looks to stay hot against Hunter Greene, Noah Cameron tries to make it three strong starts in a row, and the Zack Wheeler NL Cy Young season continues.
On this page, I'll provide my best NRFI bets today for MLB games on Friday, May 23, 2025. Monitor the weather and lineups for each team before placing your wagers. Odds for these bets are from DraftKings Sportsbook.
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What Are MLB NRFI/YRFI Bets?
NRFI bets are bets where you try to determine whether or not two MLB teams will score one run in the first inning. YRFI stands for "Yes Run First Inning," while NRFI means "No Run First Inning."
The more popular wager is NRFI because it's more enjoyable to cheer for a shutout in the first inning. Scoreless innings also happen more often than not. Whenever I take a YRFI, it's a stressful sweat that always feels like it'll end up as a loss. I suggest not even watching the game if you take the YRFI.
The best part of NRFI bets is how they settle so quickly. This is a fun sweat, as these six outs can be thrilling, especially if your pitcher works his way out of a jam. Just remember to only go with a smaller portion of your bankroll because this can be a volatile market with even the best pitchers struggling in the first inning at times.
Best First Inning Bets Today (May 23, 2025)
- Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates: 6:40 pm
- Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds: 6:40 pm
- Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins: 8:10 pm
- Philadelphia Phillies at Athletics: 10:05 pm
Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates NRFI (-160 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- MIL: Freddy Peralta
- PIT: Paul Skenes
Peralta has a 2.59 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 55.2 innings this season. You want to target this type of strikeout pitcher for an NRFI, as the Brewers righty has a 25.1 K% on the year. We've seen Peralta perform well against the Pirates, allowing a .310 xwOBA in 114 plate appearances against them, per Baseball Savant.
It's also encouraging that Peralta has a good NRFI record of 8-2 this year.
The Pirates counter with Skenes, who has picked up right where he left off last year, registering a 2.44 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 62.2 innings. Skenes is coming off his best outing of the season, where he went eight innings, allowing one run on three hits with one walk and nine strikeouts.
Like Peralta, Skenes has an elite 10-0 record vs. the NRFI this season.
Even though we have to pay a hefty price of (-160) odds, I'm willing to take the risk considering this has a game total of 6.5 and we have two of the best pitchers in the NL facing each other.
Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds NRFI (-140 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- CHC: Matthew Boyd
- CIN: Hunter Greene
Boyd is on a roll lately, allowing two earned runs in three of his last four starts, including eight strikeouts in his previous two outings. The veteran lefty has been rock-solid for the Cubs, putting up a 2.98 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 51.1 innings. This is backed by advanced metrics, as highlighted by a 3.54 SIERA.
You must also love that Boyd has performed well against the NRFI this season, with a 7-2 record. That's good news against a Reds lineup that struggles against lefties, with a 71 wRC+ against them, which is tied for 23rd in MLB.
Conversely, Greene returns for the Reds, looking to keep up his NL Cy Young-type season. It's Greene's first start since May 7th, but his overall numbers are dominant, including a 2.36 ERA and 0.81 WHIP in 45.2 innings.
The Reds' ace has also been terrific at holding opponents to a scoreless first inning, with his record sitting at 7-1.
This line is a bit priced up at (-140) odds, but with how Greene has looked this season, I'm willing to take a shot.
Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins NRFI (-130 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- KC: Noah Cameron
- MIN: Pablo Lopez
Cameron has gotten off to a terrific start for the Royals, allowing only three hits and one run in 12.2 scoreless innings. While the strikeouts haven't been there yet, this lefty registered a 28.6 K% at Triple-A this year.
We've seen Cameron shut down opponents in the first inning in these two outings. It also helps that the Twins struggle against lefties, putting up an 86 wRC+ against them.
The Twins send out Lopez to the mound, who has been terrific this season, allowing two runs or fewer in seven of eight starts. This includes a strong NRFI record of 6-2.
When you consider that Lopez has an elite 3.04 SIERA and Cameron has been tough to hit this year, you come away willing to pay the (-130) price on this NRFI.
Philadelphia Phillies at Athletics NRFI (-125 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- PHI: Zack Wheeler
- ATH: Jeffrey Springs
The last NRFI on my Friday betting card starts with Wheeler on the mound for the Phillies. This ace has been dominant this year, putting up a 2.67 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with an elite 32.8% strikeout rate in 64 innings.
Even though this game is in a hitter-friendly environment in Sutter Health Park, we have to ride with Wheeler with how good he's looked. It also helps that the Phillies' ace has a 10-0 NRFI record.
On the other side, Springs has turned his season around for the Athletics. The former Ray has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four consecutive outings. This includes one run allowed in three of those starts.
We're getting a cheaper price at (-125) odds because this matchup has a 9.5 game total since it's in a hitter's park, but it's hard not to take a shot given what we've seen from Wheeler all year and Springs recently. We need the A's lefty to hold down the fort for one inning here.
Notable NRFI/YRFI MLB Trends: Last 10 Games
- Best NRFI hit rate: Mets, Brewers, Orioles, Royals, Blue Jays, Yankees (9)
- Best YRFI hit rate: Nationals (6)
- Most First Inning Home Runs: Angels (5)
- Best First Inning Batting Average: Nationals (.409)
Conclusion: Best MLB NRFI Bets Today (May 23, 2025)
As we head into a full Friday slate of games, today's MLB NRFI bets offer plenty of value with intense pitching matchups and favorable trends. From a pitcher's duel in Pittsburgh to an intriguing Royals rookie, there are several spots to choose from.
Whether you're targeting pitchers with elite strikeout rates or teams on extended NRFI streaks, this slate has something for every bettor looking for that quick six-out sweat.
Be sure to monitor starting lineups and weather before locking anything in, but don’t wait too long—some of these NRFI odds could shift as the public piles in. With pitchers like Skenes, Wheeler, and Lopez leading the charge, there’s no shortage of solid edges on the board.
Good luck with your MLB NRFI bets, and as always, bet responsibly!
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