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Read our best NRFI betting picks today - Major League Baseball NRFI predictions for 8/6/2025. No Runs First Inning (NRFI) betting tips, expert MLB predictions, odds, and trends.
We've got a full slate with 15 games on Wednesday, so there are plenty of exploitable matchups to target to bring you my best NRFI bets today and bonus bets. The goal is to achieve a profitable result while sticking to reasonable odds, as we aim to minimize our risk in a volatile market like the first inning.
There are a few intriguing spots for scoreless first innings on Wednesday. Each game features pitchers who have performed well in the first inning, including Michael Wacha vs. Dustin May, Jose Quintana vs. Spencer Strider, and Jonathan Cannon vs. George Kirby.
On this page, I'll provide my best NRFI bets today for MLB games on Wednesday, August 6, 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 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 happen more often, which is why you usually see shorter odds compared to YRFI. It's also just more enjoyable, as whenever I take a YRFI, it feels like an inevitable loss. There's nothing more tilting than watching your team strand baserunners when you need them to score in the first inning. If you're taking the YRFI, I suggest not even watching the game.
My favorite 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. Just 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 at times.
Best First Inning Bets Today (August 6, 2025)
- Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox: 7:05 pm ET
- Milwaukee Brewers at Atlanta Braves: 7:15 pm ET
- Chicago White Sox at Seattle Mariners: 9:40 pm ET
Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox NRFI (-110 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- KC: Michael Wacha
- BOS: Dustin May
The first NRFI starts with an AL clash between the Royals and Red Sox.
Kansas City is going with Wacha, who has a rock-solid 3.38 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 35 walks and 95 strikeouts in 125.1 innings this season. The veteran innings-eater is on quite a roll lately, allowing one earned run in four consecutive starts. This is highlighted by a dominant outing in his last turn, where he went eight innings, allowing one run on three hits with zero walks and five strikeouts against the Blue Jays.
You have to love the improved control that Wacha has shown of late, issuing only two walks in his last three starts, spanning 19.1 innings. That bodes well for a scoreless first inning, which is something that Wacha has done consistently this season, featuring an elite 20-2 NRFI record.
Really feels like Michael Wacha has gone under-appreciated this season. Guy has given up more than three runs in five of his now 22 starts. The epitome of a dependable No. 3 starter.
— Royals Data Dugout (@RoyalsData) August 2, 2025
On the other side, we have May, who makes his Red Sox debut. It's been an inconsistent season for the former Dodgers' righty, including a 4.85 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 40 walks and 97 strikeouts in 104 innings.
We've seen May struggle of late, allowing four or more earned runs in three of his last five outings. However, there are a few factors in his favor for this wager.
For one, given that it's May's first start with his new team, you could see an amped-up version where he comes out throwing flames in the first inning, which bodes well for the NRFI.
Secondly, despite recent struggles, May has still done well in the first inning, featuring a respectable 11-7 NRFI record.
With that in mind, you have to like getting a (-110) price on the NRFI here. Any time you don't have to pay a lot of juice on an NRFI with two pitchers that have strong records, you have to ride.
Milwaukee Brewers at Atlanta Braves NRFI (-135 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- MIL: Jose Quintana
- ATL: Spencer Strider
The next NRFI starts with Brewers' lefty Quintana, who continues to be a dependable innings-eater, putting up a 3.50 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 35 walks and 59 strikeouts in 87.1 innings.
The former Met has been rock-solid of late, allowing two runs or fewer in three of his last four outings.
On top of that, Quintana has a 12-4 NRFI record, which also has you feeling good about tonight's wager.
The Braves counter with Strider, who hasn't been himself this season as he returns from injury, putting up a 3.71 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 32 walks and 92 strikeouts in 77.2 innings.
The good news is that the strikeouts have been there, as highlighted by a 28.2 K%, which bodes well for the NRFI. The Braves' ace has racked up seven or more punchouts in three of his last four outings.
You also have to like how Strider has a 10-4 NRFI record on the season.
With that in mind, I feel fine paying (-135) juice on this NRFI.
Chicago White Sox at Seattle Mariners NRFI (-120 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- CHW: Jonathan Cannon
- SEA: George Kirby
The final NRFI heads to Seattle, where the focus is on an ace in an exploitable matchup.
We'll start with Cannon, who has put up a 4.77 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 32 walks and 75 strikeouts in 94.1 innings. The advanced metrics don't look much better, including a 9.9% barrel rate and 5.04 xERA.
Simply put, this is a mediocre pitcher who eats innings in the backend of a rebuilding team's rotation.
However, I'm willing to take the risk that Cannon can hold down the fort for one inning. While he's allowed five runs or more in consecutive outings, he allowed two runs or fewer in four straight starts before that.
We also have to note that this game is at T-Mobile Park, which is one of the most pitcher-friendly environments in baseball. It's the perfect setup for Cannon to get the job done. The 9-7 NRFI record isn't anything notable, but at least it's above .500.
The real appeal with this wager is with Kirby, who I'm betting has a strong start against the White Sox. Despite underwhelming season-long numbers with a 4.13 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 18 walks and 74 strikeouts in 72 innings, I like riding with the Mariners' righty here.
We can chalk up those disappointing numbers to injury. Kirby is starting to find his groove after the long lay-off, allowing a combined two runs in his last two starts, spanning 12 innings.
Additionally, this is a pitcher with a 10-3 NRFI record, making a scoreless first inning worth a look at a -120 price.
Conclusion: Best MLB NRFI Bets Today (August 6, 2025)
As we head into a full Wednesday slate of games, today's MLB NRFI bets offer plenty of value with favorable pitching matchups and helpful trends. The focus of today's column was on pitchers who are in favorable spots or excel in the first time through the order.
Whether you're targeting pitchers with elite strikeout rates or strong control, 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.
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