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Read our best NRFI betting picks today - Major League Baseball NRFI predictions for 6/17/2025. No Runs First Inning (NRFI) betting tips, expert MLB predictions, odds, and trends.
The good news is that I hit my first YRFI of the season yesterday in the Colorado-Washington game when Hunter Goodman hit a two-run home run off Jake Irvin in the first inning.
The bad news was that the other three bets (all NRFIs) missed in what was a pretty rare 1-3 showing for me. But it was a bit of a funky slate and like a pitcher who just gave up a home run, I have to be ready to move on to the next hitter (I mean, in my case, slate).
On this page, I'll provide my best NRFI bets today (I've got five of them today) for MLB games on Tuesday, June 17, 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. 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 baserunners when you need them to score in the first inning. If you're taking the YRFI, then 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. 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 (June 17, 2025)
- Minnesota Twins at Cincinnati Reds: 7:10 pm
- New York Mets at Atlanta Braves: 7:15 pm
- St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago White Sox: 7:40 pm
- Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers: 8:05 pm
- Cleveland Guardians at San Francisco Giants: 9:45 pm
Minnesota Twins at Cincinnati Reds NRFI (-120 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- MIN: David Festa
- CIN: Andrew Abbott
The rookie Festa is getting a chance to stick in the Minnesota rotation with injuries to Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews. He's had four immaculate first innings and just one bad one (against the Athletics) for a nice 4-1 NRFI record through his first five starts.
Andrew Abbott took 'em to school 📚 pic.twitter.com/aeEoFxI31L
— MLB (@MLB) June 11, 2025
Andrew Abbott has been fantastic early in games and is riding high after pitching a gem in his last outing, shutting out the Guardians for his first complete game shutout.
Abbott is a perfect 11-0 on the season on NRFIs and in peak form. He continues to paint the corners with his pitches and has not allowed hitters to barrel him up.
I love this pitching matchup, and I think the only reason these odds are where they are is the ballpark, as Cincinnati's park favors hitters heavily.
New York Mets at Atlanta Braves NRFI (-105 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- NYM: David Peterson
- ATL: Spencer Schwellenbach
We go right from one lefty who is coming off a CGSO to another, as we have David Peterson on the bump for the Mets. Peterson has been on fire for New York and is their most consistent starter all season.
David Peterson was LIGHTS OUT tonight in Queens!
He lowers his ERA to 2.49 😤 pic.twitter.com/s4h3AsrC0V
— MLB (@MLB) June 12, 2025
While the Braves are a pretty good offense with some home run hitters that Peterson will have to face early, they also strike out alot vs. LHP. Peterson has been nearly pristine in the first inning this season with an 11-2 NRFI record and I give him the advantage here with how well he's been throwing.
On the other side, the Braves are rolling with their up-and-coming star Spencer Schwellenbach, who has compiled a 10-4 NRFI record of his own. The Mets have scored in the first inning just twice in their last 10 games, and again, I give the pitcher the advantage in this matchup.
These odds are incredible, considering that we have two very good pitchers. I'm excited about this matchup, and I just hope we get a clean first inning from both guys.
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago White Sox NRFI (-130 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- STL: Matthew Liberatore
- CWS: Shane Smith
Liberatore had an awesome start to the season, but then he hit a wall about three weeks ago. This is a nice "get-right" spot for him tonight as he faces the White Sox, a team that has one of the worst offenses in baseball and has a 1-9 YRFI record over their last ten.
Despite his struggles recently, Liberatore still sports a 10-3 NRFI record this season.
We might not be talking about Shane Smith enough... Maybe it's because it's the White Sox?
Maybe being a Rule 5 draft pick? Regardless, he's been great and has a 2.37 ERA on the season in 68.1 IP
Today vs Astros
6IP 7H 1ER 2BB 4Kpic.twitter.com/HVwJoRCAEX— Nicho Roessler (@NichoRoessler) June 11, 2025
The Cardinals offense is solid, but I have a lot of confidence in Shane Smith. He has an 11-2 NRFI record and a 3-game NRFI streak going. He's been really solid all season for Chicago and is emerging as their top pitcher this season.
Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers (-120 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- KCR: Seth Lugo
- TEX: Jack Leiter
These two pitchers might not inspire much confidence at first glance, but Lugo is 10-2 on NRFIs this season while Leiter is 9-2. Lugo hasn't allowed a baserunner in his last two starts, while Leiter is riding a 5-game NRFI streak.
Neither offense is super scary, either. The Royals lack much power and are just 2-8 over their last 10 on YRFIs. The Rangers are 3-7, but they have had their own offensive struggles this season, too.
We are getting a nice price here on this game where the matchups favor both pitchers.
Cleveland Guardians at San Francisco Giants (-135 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- CLE: Slade Cecconi
- SFG: Robbie Ray
I have been very impressed with how Cleveland has resurrected Slade Cecconi so far this season. He looked quite mediocre in Arizona, but has had multiple impressive starts for Cleveland since entering the rotation.
Slade Cecconi, 74mph Hammer. ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/OMCNMNuKjw
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 10, 2025
Cecconi is a perfect 5-0 on NRFIs this season, but will be tested as he faces a Giants lineup that just got better with the addition of Rafael Devers.
For the Giants, it's their ace Robbie Ray on the hill, and he brings a 10-3 NRFI record with him. Ray is riding a 5-game NRFI streak and faces a Cleveland offense that ranks just 23rd overall in wRC+ vs. LHP.
I love the matchup again for both pitchers, and I think this could be one of the better pitchers' duels of the night!
Notable NRFI/YRFI MLB Trends: Last 10 Games
- Best NRFI hit rate: Brewers (100%)
- Best YRFI hit rate: Red Sox, Phillies (50%)
- Most First Inning Home Runs: Yankees(4)
- Best First Inning Batting Average: Mariners (.366)
- Best First Inning On-Base Percentage: Mariners (.449)
Good luck if you're tailing these NRFI bets today, and thanks for reading my NRFI betting recommendations here at RotoBaller!
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