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Read our best NRFI betting picks today - Major League Baseball NRFI predictions for 7/25/2025. No Runs First Inning (NRFI) betting tips, expert MLB predictions, odds, and trends.
The pressure to keep the winning streak going is mounting; I can feel it. Today, we find out if I crumble under that pressure or if I can keep this heater going the same way a hitter bears down with two strikes and manages to fight off a fastball on the outside corner for an opposite field single.
Yes, we are going for our fourth winning slate in a row. The last three articles from yours truly, going back to last Friday, have yielded an 11-1 record. We have a big slate, so I was able to be picky and just roll with the top four spots for NRFIs today.
On this page, I'll provide my best NRFI and YRFI bets today for MLB games on Friday, July 25, 2025. Monitor the weather and lineups for each team before placing your wagers. Odds for these bets are from DraftKings or FanDuel Sportsbook.
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What Are MLB NRFI/YRFI Bets?
NRFI bets are bets where you try to pick whether or not two MLB teams will combine for one run in the first inning. YRFI stands for "Yes Run First Inning," while NRFI means "No Run First Inning."
We prefer to target NRFI because it tends to occur more frequently, which is why you usually see shorter odds than on YRFI. This strategy can change on a slate with worse pitching options, and we have seen offenses start to push back against the NRFI in the summer months, when hitting conditions are better.
The best part of NRFI wagers 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. Remember to only go with a smaller percentage of your bankroll because this can be a volatile market, with even the best pitchers struggling in the first inning.
Best First Inning Bets Today (July 25, 2025)
- Miami Marlins at Milwaukee Brewers: 4:10 pm
- Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox: 7:40 pm
- Atlanta Braves at Texas Rangers: 8:05 pm
- Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels: 9:38 pm
Miami Marlins at Milwaukee Brewers NRFI (-125 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- MIA: Cal Quantrill
- MIL: Freddy Peralta
Okay, so perhaps I am feeling a bit bold here by counting on Cal Quantrill, but I wouldn't do that without good reason. Quantrill has been respectable this season, especially early in games, as he carries a solid 15-4 NRFI record into this afternoon's game.
While the Brewers are red-hot at the plate and on an incredible stretch right now (having lost just four games in the entire month of July), they are also one of two teams that have not scored in the first inning over their last 10 games (with the other one being Seattle - more on them in a bit).
You may have guessed that Peralta has been an NRFI standout, based on his reputation, and you'd be right, as he's 18-3 on NRFIs this season.
Miami is no pushover on offense lately, but Peralta is riding a five-game NRFI streak and has the type of swing-and-miss stuff we are looking for from ace pitchers.
All of our NRFIs are priced very similarly today, right in the sweet spot where it doesn't feel like we are overpaying. If you like parlays, today is a great day to round-robin these picks (that is, if you think our hot streak can endure!)
Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox NRFI (-120 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- CHC: Shota Imanaga
- CWS: Adrian Houser
Imanaga has been in top form lately. He didn't pitch all that well to start the season and had to miss some time on the IL in May and June. However, he's been terrific in July, especially in his last two starts (14 IP, 1 ER, 11K).
Shōta Imanaga, Filthy Splitters. ✌️✌️
That K Pose after the second K. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/pQcNGoFTsX
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 20, 2025
The White Sox aren't a team we should automatically target with pitchers right now. Their offense has been on fire since the break, but flipping them around against a lefty helps a bit, as it gets Mike Tauchman out of the lineup and puts Andrew Benintendi on the wrong side of his splits. Imanaga should face Chase Meidroth, Austin Slater, and Edgar Quero at the top of the order - not exactly a trio that we should fear.
As far as the other side of this matchup goes, Adrian Houser has been a revelation this season for the White Sox on the mound. He's pitched to a 1.89 ERA over 62 innings and has a 9-1 NRFI record this season. I am not sure he can keep those types of numbers the rest of the way, but his resurgence has been impressive.
Houser has a five-game NRFI streak intact, and as a groundball pitcher, he's less vulnerable to the long ball (just a 0.29 HR/9), which is what I worry about the most for pitchers who have to face the big Cubs' bats at the top of their lineup.
Atlanta Braves at Texas Rangers NRFI (-120 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- ATL: Joey Wentz
- TEX: Nathan Eovaldi
Okay, if you're keeping track so far, I have us relying on journeyman pitchers Quantrill and Houser. Now, I want you to put your faith in left-hander Joey Wentz, who is on his third MLB team just this season!
Yes, Wentz started in the Pirates' bullpen and then made a few brief appearances for the Twins before getting another chance with the pitching-starved Braves.
Atlanta is trying to get Wentz stretched back out as a starter, and he's looked good so far in two appearances for them, tossing seven scoreless innings with a 0.57 WHIP.
This is a good spot for Wentz as the Rangers rank just 27th in wRC+ against LHP over the last month. We just saw a guy like JP Sears shut this team down earlier in the week. Even average lefties can have some success against Texas.
Nathan Eovaldi's 7th and 8th Ks. pic.twitter.com/rGZlL19Okq
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 13, 2025
Meanwhile, the Rangers will put their co-ace (yes, deGrom fans, I said it!) on the hill in Nathan Eovaldi. The veteran righty is having a career year and would have likely been an All-Star if not for a trip to the IL in June.
"Nasty Nate" has a 13-3 NRFI record this season and went into the break in top form, allowing just one earned run over his final three starts. The Braves are not an easy matchup, but I have a lot of confidence in Eovaldi.
Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels NRFI (-130 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- SEA: Bryan Woo
- LAA: Jose Soriano
So I mentioned the Mariners earlier in this article as the other offense that has a 10-game NRFI streak, and I am going to keep attacking them today as we get a worthy adversary on the bump for the Angels in Jose Soriano.
Soriano not only has a 17-4 NRFI streak this season, but he also owns an impressive eight-game NRFI streak that extends back to late May. The Mariners acquired Josh Naylor in a trade last night, but he may not be ready to debut tonight, so it's just Cal Raleigh in the three hole, whom Soriano has to be very careful pitching to in the first.
On the other side, Bryan Woo is having a fantastic season and putting up some impressive numbers. His NRFI record isn't anything special at first glance (13-6), but let's consider that he's gone nine straight games with a NRFI. Yes, at one point early in the year, he was 4-6 on NRFIs, but he's reeled off nine straight and continues to show excellent control and the ability to induce weak contact at a high rate.
With both pitchers riding incredible NRFI streaks and the Mariners' offense also streaking (in a bad way), this game makes for the perfect nightcap for our card, which I hope can keep us streaking in the win column!
“We’re going streaking!!!” pic.twitter.com/K9aEg5horU
— Cinema Tweets (@CinemaTweets1) July 8, 2025
Notable NRFI/YRFI MLB Trends: Last 10 Games
- Best NRFI hit rate: Mariners, Brewers (100%)
- Best YRFI hit rate: Orioles, Phillies (50%)
- Most First Inning Home Runs: Cubs, White Sox (4)
- Best First Inning Batting Average: Orioles (.409)
- Best First Inning On-Base Percentage: Angels (.447)
Conclusion
The pressure is on, but I'm embracing it like a veteran closer in the ninth inning. I'm calm, calculated, and ready to cash more NRFI bets today. Riding an 11-1 heater across the last three slates, I’ve zeroed in on four elite MLB NRFI bets for Friday, July 25.
From Freddy Peralta’s dominance to Bryan Woo’s quiet excellence, each matchup has been hand-picked for its first-inning shutdown potential. As always, stay alert for weather and lineup changes, and remember that NRFI betting is a volatile but thrilling market. For sharp insights and daily picks, RotoBaller is your home for the best NRFI bets today.
Good luck and thanks for reading!
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