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Read our best NRFI betting picks today - Major League Baseball NRFI predictions for 5/30/2025. No Runs First Inning (NRFI) betting tips, expert MLB predictions, odds, and trends.
We've got a full slate with 15 games on Friday, so there are plenty of spots to choose from to bring you my best NRFI bets today and bonus bets. The goal is to go 4-0 on our NRFI picks, which range from +100 to -115 odds.
There are a few intriguing spots for scoreless first innings today. We're targeting a pitcher who has performed well vs the NRFI in Grant Holmes, along with a pair of scoreless innings masters in Casey Mize vs Seth Lugo, with a couple of lefties in Matthew Liberatore and Max Fried as the highlights of the last two games.
On this page, I'll provide my best NRFI bets today for MLB games on Friday, May 30, 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 hit a bit more often, which is why you usually see shorter odds compared to YRFI. It's also just more enjoyable -- whenever I take a YRFI, it feels like an inevitable loss. There's nothing more tilting than watching your team strand base-runners when you need them to score in the first inning. If you're taking the YRFI, I suggest not even watching.
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. 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 (May 30, 2025)
- Boston Red Sox at Atlanta Braves: 7:15 pm
- Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals: 8:10 pm
- St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Rangers: 8:05 pm
- New York Yankees at Los Angeles Dodgers: 10:10 pm
Boston Red Sox at Atlanta Braves NRFI (+100 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- BOS: Lucas Giolito
- ATL: Grant Holmes
Giolito hasn't been good for the Red Sox so far, putting up a 5.27 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with eight walks and 23 strikeouts in 27.1 innings. However, there is one encouraging sign that could point to improved results in the future.
This is a pitcher who has had bad luck on batted balls, as highlighted by a .329 BABIP. While the barrel rate isn't good (9.5%), .329 BABIP would be the second-highest of Giolito's career. Most of his seasons have ranged from .260 to .275 in BABIP. So it's no surprise that Giolito's SIERA is at 4.05, which is much lower than his 5.27 ERA.
The good news for Giolito is that he's coming off his strongest outing of the season, featuring seven shutout innings against the Baltimore Orioles. That's one earned run or fewer allowed in two of his last three starts.
#RedSox Lucas Giolito flashed some upside today
• Increased avg. velo across the board
• +3 mph and less movement on slider
• Featured the slider A LOT more as a third offering to go with the change up and fastball pic.twitter.com/rydvlAbiUg— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) May 11, 2025
On the other side, we have Holmes, who has a 3.68 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with a 22.8% strikeout rate and 10.8% walk rate on the season.
The appeal with Holmes has been his performance against the NRFI, as highlighted by an 8-2 record.
We don't have to pay a steep price on this prop at +100 odds, making it worth a look to kick off our NRFI card.
Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals NRFI (-110 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- DET: Casey Mize
- KC: Seth Lugo
Mize has been terrific for the Tigers this season, registering a 2.45 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 10 walks and 41 strikeouts in 47.2 innings.
What's been most impressive is how he bumped his swinging-strike rate from 9.7% to 12.4%.
We've seen Mize excel in the first inning, as highlighted by an impressive 7-1 record this season.
Casey Mize, 97mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/l0tn5FzTyS
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 8, 2025
The Royals counter with Lugo, who is making his return from injury tonight. This is the veteran righty's first start since May 11th.
This is another pitcher who has thrived in the first inning, putting up a 9-1 record. It also helps that the Royals have done well here as a team, boasting a 39-18 NRFI record.
Considering each of these pitchers' success in the opening frame, you have to love that you only have to pay -110 odds at DraftKings.
St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Rangers NRFI (-115 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- STL: Matthew Liberatore
- TEX: TBD
Liberatore has had a breakout season so far, registering a 2.73 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with eight walks and 51 strikeouts in 59.1 innings. The Cardinals' lefty has allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight consecutive outings.
This is a great spot against the Rangers, who have struggled against lefties this season, featuring a 68 wRC+, which ranks 28th in MLB.
In addition, Liberatore has been dominant in the first inning, with a 9-1 NRFI record.
Matthew Liberatore, Pretty 80mph Curveball. 🌈 pic.twitter.com/dpG0PPue20
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 13, 2025
At the time of this article, the Rangers starter hasn't been confirmed. The most likely option is Jack Leiter, who would be on five days' rest, but it's still "TBD" on DraftKings.
Leiter has allowed three runs or fewer in three straight starts, so hopefully he can hold down the fort for us here. But the main draw of this wager is Liberatore.
New York Yankees at Los Angeles Dodgers NRFI (-105 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- NYY: Max Fried
- LAD: Tony Gonsolin
The last NRFI on my Friday betting card starts with Fried for the Yankees. The crafty lefty has been dominant this season, boasting a 1.29 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 16 walks and 67 strikeouts in 70 innings.
Additionally, Fried has been terrific against the NRFI, as highlighted by a 10-1 record.
Max Fried, Painted 84mph Sweeper. 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/3t8I1y8pJI
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 2, 2025
The Dodgers counter with Gonsolin, who has allowed four earned runs in each of his last two starts.
The good news is that the veteran righty has a strong 4-1 NRFI record, so hopefully, he can do his part here.
Like the Liberatore start, the main appeal here is Fried. You also have to like the reasonable price at -105 odds.
Notable NRFI/YRFI MLB Trends: Last 10 Games
- Best NRFI hit rate: Rangers, Giants (9)
- Best YRFI hit rate: Cubs (6)
- Most First Inning Home Runs: Braves (5)
- Best First Inning Batting Average: Marlins (.383)
Conclusion: Best MLB NRFI Bets Today (May 30, 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 Kansas City to three other games with pitchers with strong NRFI records, there is no shortage of intriguing spots tonight.
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 Fried leading the charge, we can feel confident in a profitable night here.
Good luck with your MLB NRFI bets, and as always, bet responsibly!
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