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Read our best NRFI betting picks today - Major League Baseball NRFI predictions for 5/2/2025. No Runs First Inning (NRFI) betting tips, expert MLB predictions, odds, and trends.
We've got a full slate of games on Friday, so I'm here to bring you my best NRFI bets today and bonus bets. This will be my first YRFI/NRFI article of the season, so let's get off to a strong start here. Today, I've got four NRFI picks for you, each ranging in odds from (-104) to (-135).
Several great pitchers are on the mound today, so we could see a fair share of scoreless first innings. We've got a potential pitcher's duel at Yankee Stadium between Ryan Pepiot and Max Fried, Yoshinobu Yamamoto looks to get back on track against Grant Holmes, while both Tarik Skubal and Robbie Ray are in smash spots. When making my YRFI/NRFI picks, I'm looking at the pitcher's performance along with first-inning data.
In this article, I'll provide my best NRFI bets today for the MLB games on Friday, May 2, 2025. Make sure to check the weather and projected lineups for each team before placing any bets. All odds are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, and ESPN BET Sportsbook.
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What Are MLB NRFI/YRFI Bets?
NRFI bets are wagers placed on whether or not two MLB teams will combine for one run or go scoreless in the first inning. MLB NRFI stands for "No Run First Inning," while YRFI is "Yes Run First Inning."
Most bettors prefer to target NRFI because it's more enjoyable to cheer for a scoreless opening frame. When you take the YRFI, it always feels like you're headed for a loss. It's best not to watch when you go with a YRFI, if I'm honest.
What makes these bets so popular is that they settle quickly, with the first inning usually taking about 10 minutes or fewer. It's a fun and quick sweat -- these six outs can be thrilling. Just remember to only use a small portion of your bankroll because this is a more volatile market than others, since it's such a small sample of one inning.
Best First Inning Bets Today (May 2, 2025)
- Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees: 7:05 pm
- Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves: 7:15 pm
- Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels: 9:38 pm
- Colorado Rockies at San Francisco Giants: 10:15 pm
Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees NRFI (-102 FanDuel Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- TBR: Ryan Pepiot
- NYY: Max Fried
The Yankees have been one of the worst teams to target for NRFI. The Bronx Bombers have the worst NRFI record (16-15) of any team. One of the main reasons for this is that they have the best hitter in baseball, Aaron Judge, coming up to the plate every first inning.
However, I'm targeting the Rays vs Yankees game for my first NRFI pick of the day. We've got a potential pitcher's duel between Pepiot and Fried.
Pepiot has allowed three runs or fewer in five of six starts this season. The Rays' righty went six IP with three runs, one walk, and seven strikeouts vs the Yankees on April 20th.
Fried has registered a 1.19 ERA and 1.04 WHIP this season. While New York's prized free agent signing has overperformed advanced metrics (3.68 SIERA), I'll take a shot that he'll keep it rolling here.
Both Pepiot (4-2) and Fried (5-1) have strong NRFI records this season. Additionally, we're getting an appealing price at FanDuel's (-102) odds.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves YRFI (-110 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- LAD: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- ATL: Grant Holmes
Next, I'm targeting another game featuring two strong offenses: the Dodgers and Braves. Sometimes, it's a good idea to do this with NRFI if the pitching matchup is good because you can get more manageable odds this way.
We've got Yamamoto on the mound for the Dodgers. The second-year righty is off to a terrific start, registering a 1.06 ERA and 1.00 WHIP, which is backed by advanced metrics -- including a 2.52 SIERA.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Wicked 90mph Splitter. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/c7TBmIzRu4
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 26, 2025
On the other side, Grant Holmes is pitching for the Braves. The 29-year-old righty is off to a slow start, including a 4.83 SIERA. However, he has a 2.19 ERA in the first time through the order, which bodes well for a scoreless first frame.
It also helps that both Yamamoto (5-1) and Holmes (4-1) have some of the best NRFI records in MLB. Given their success in the first inning so far, we have to follow that trend.
Let's not forget that nice price we're getting at (-110) odds at DraftKings. You never want to lay too much juice on a first-inning wager, so sticking to this type of price is a good idea.
Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels NRFI (-135 ESPN BET Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- DET: Tarik Skubal
- LAA: Jose Soriano
The third NRFI pick on this page features the reigning AL Cy Young in a smash spot on the road vs the struggling Angels. While this wager is a bit more expensive at (-135) odds at ESPN BET, I'm willing to pay the price with Skubal on the mound.
The Tigers' lefty has been rolling lately, allowing a combined two runs in his last four starts. This includes an impressive 30-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 24 IP.
You have to love how Skubal has performed in the first inning with a 6-0 record. There's a good chance that this undefeated streak continues vs the Angels, who have a 61 wRC+ (30th) and 29.3 K% (30th) in the last 14 days.
Tarik Skubal strikes out the side and has 5 strikeouts through 2 innings 🔥 pic.twitter.com/R3utpXdKzd
— MLB (@MLB) April 27, 2025
We need Jose Soriano to hold down the fort for us in this one. While the Angels' righty is struggling lately, allowing at least three runs in three straight outings, this is still a groundball pitcher (63.7 GB%) who can induce the kind of weak contact you want in an NRFI wager. It also helps that Soriano has a rock-solid NRFI record (4-2).
With Skubal likely cruising through the first and Soriano's high-velocity sinker, you have to ride with the NRFI in this spot.
Colorado Rockies at San Francisco Giants NRFI (-125 FanDuel Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- COL: Anthony Senzatela
- SFG: Robbie Ray
My last pick involves the Rockies vs Giants game, where we're targeting Ray to build off his strongest outing of the season against the weakest lineup in baseball.
We just saw Ray pitch seven innings of two-run ball against the Rangers. This outing included eight strikeouts and only one walk. You have to like Ray's improved command, which is likely to stick against the Rockies.
Colorado has been atrocious at the plate so far, putting up a 53 wRC+ on the road. This is by far the worst in baseball. Expect more of the same in a pitcher's park in San Francisco.
The risk in this game is with Anthony Senzatela, who has a 5.22 ERA and 1.88 WHIP on the season. But the good news is that he's performed better on the road (2.57 ERA) with a strong NRFI record (4-2).
Perhaps Senzatela can provide a decent outing in this pitcher-friendly environment, which makes the NRFI worth a look in this spot, even at (-125) odds at FanDuel.
Notable NRFI/YRFI MLB Trends: Last 10 Games
- Longest NRFI Streak: Orioles (10-0)
- Best YRFI hit rate: Mariners, Yankees, Pirates, Red Sox (4)
- Most First Inning Home Runs: Yankees (8)
- Best First Inning Batting Average: Brewers (.386)
These NRFI bets today offer some of the best bets for Friday's MLB slate (5/2/2025), backed by strong pitching matchups and key first-inning trends.
Whether you're new to sports betting or a seasoned player, targeting the NRFI market brings quick action and potential early wins. Check back often for updated NRFI best bets and expert insights into this exciting MLB market.
Good luck, RotoBallers, and thanks for reading!
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