NRFI Betting Today - No Runs First Inning Best MLB Picks and Odds (Monday, 4/13/2026)

April 13, 2026

Read our best NRFI betting picks today - Major League Baseball NRFI predictions for 4/13/2026. No Runs First Inning (NRFI) betting tips, expert MLB predictions, odds, and trends.

Today's MLB 10-game slate doesn't appeal much to me in terms of strikeout props, but I do have an interest in several first-inning bets.

While I typically am on the lookout for NRFIs, I actually think that the most value on the board today comes from YRFI (yes, run first inning) bets. We've seen the odds for NRFIs drift to where some of the best pitching matchups have been priced from -150 to -200 regularly, and that's simply not a market that is going to produce the type of run on your investment that you're looking for. So today, we flip the script with three YRFI bets, and only one NRFI bet!

On this page, I'll provide my best first-inning bets today for MLB games on Monday, April 13, 2026. Make sure to monitor the weather and lineups for each team before placing your wagers.

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 often tend to target NRFI because it occurs more often, which is why you usually see shorter odds than for YRFI. However, that also means that the value lies in finding the right YRFI bets, too.

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 (April 13, 2026)

Here's a quick chart with the games and bets that we will be targeting today!

Houston Astros at Seattle Mariners YRFI (+100 FanDuel)

Starting Pitchers

• HOU: Mike Burrows
• SEA:  George Kirby

Yes, neither pitcher is a typical target to pick on; they'll both have to face a formidable top of the lineup from the opposing offense as well. Burrows will have to contend with the red-hot Brendon Donovan, followed by Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez. While Burrows has good stuff, he's allowed a lot of hard contact to start the year and isn't missing bats like he was last season. Astros pitchers have allowed three YRFIs in a row, while Houston ranks fifth among all MLB teams this year in YRFIs allowed.

Kirby will have to square off against Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez in the first inning, both of whom have been obliterating baseballs to start the year.

Yordan Alvarez homers in back-to-back games 🚀 pic.twitter.com/uG2WDIRklq

— MLB (@MLB) April 12, 2026

The Astros don't strike out much either, so Kirby is likely to give up contact, especially since his SwStr% is all the way down to just 7% to start the year.

Seattle pitchers have allowed the most YRFIs to opponents this season! It's surprising, given how solid their pitching staff usually is, but it's certainly another trend working in our favor here today.

Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees YRFI (-117 Novig)

Starting Pitchers

• LAA: Yusei Kikuchi
• NYY: Will Warren

Aaron Judge will hit a home run off Kikuchi in the bottom of the first inning, and we cash. There, that's it - that's the analysis!

All joking aside, Kikuchi is a fly-ball pitcher who has had a home run issue throughout his career. He's allowed 23 or more home runs in five straight seasons! That's not ideal for a guy who is facing a Yankees lineup that is loaded with power (besides Judge) in a warm-weather game with the winds projected to be blowing out in Yankee Stadium.

The Angels' lineup has a formidable group hitting 1-4 as well. Zach Neto is a home run threat leading off, and is followed by Mike Trout, Nolan Schanuel, and the red-hot Jorge Soler. Will Warren will have his hands full early, and one mistake to any of these hitters could easily end up deposited in the seats.

Both the Angels and Yankees have been top-7 teams in YRFI rate this season! I like our chances of one of these teams pushing a run across early today.

Miami Marlins at Atlanta Braves YRFI (+100 FanDuel)

Starting Pitchers

• MIA: Eury Perez
• ATL: Grant Holmes

At first glance, you might think we'd be looking at a potential NRFI here, but both the Marlins and Braves have been top-3 in offensive YRFIs this season, which forces me to look at a YRFI instead.

While Perez is a very gifted and talented young pitcher, he's struggled early in games this year and has failed to command the strike zone. He has great stuff, but he's not throwing strikes or getting ahead of hitters, and has been hit hard as a result. He'll have to contend with a loaded Braves top of the order that hasn't struck out much, and every hitter in that top-4 is a very real home run threat.

Holmes has overperformed quite a bit in my opinion. He's a solid pitcher, but he's far too reliant on his slider and has a very hittable fastball. This Miami lineup is better than you might think. Marsee is always a threat to steal a base if he gets on, and Miami could manufacture a run. Or they could just string together a couple of hits, too; there are a lot of paths to a run here for the Marlins.

The value is on the YRFI side of the bet as we are getting plus money. I'm going to back the trends here and count on one of these pitchers to falter and allow an early run.

Cleveland Guardians at St. Louis Cardinals NRFI (-122 Novig)

Starting Pitchers

• CLE: Gavin Williams
• STL: Matthew Liberatore

We have at least one matchup of opening starters here today, and even if they are necessarily bona fide aces, I like the matchup for both Williams and Liberatore.

Williams is off to a roaring start in 2026, posting a 2.04 ERA and 37% K% over his first three starts. Yes, the 20% walk rate DOES concern me, but so far he's been able to work around those and keep opponents in check. He's facing a relatively weak Cardinals lineup here that has posted just a wRC+ of 89 through the first three weeks of the season.

Gavin Williams, 97mph Fastball and 89mph Sweeper, Overlay. pic.twitter.com/wB8AtL0CUM

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 2, 2026

Liberatore hasn't been nearly as dominant as Williams, but he's been pretty clean early this year, allowing just one earned run to opponents the first time through the order. Jose Ramirez is always a dangerous hitter to navigate, but Cleveland as a team is mediocre, at best, against LHP this season.

Thanks for reading, and good luck if you tail any or all of these bets today!

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