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Read our best NRFI betting picks today - Major League Baseball NRFI predictions for 6/24/2025. No Runs First Inning (NRFI) betting tips, expert MLB predictions, odds, and trends.
We were able to hit three out of four bets last night, with the Pirates ruining our chance at a sweep with a two-out RBI double in the first inning off Chad Patrick.
Our one YRFI bet hit with ease as the Red Sox and Angels combined for eight runs in the first inning. Today, we get a lot better quality arms on the mound, so no YRFIs, just NRFIs, and with 15 games on the slate, we can be selective with which games we target, too.
On this page, I'll provide my best NRFI and YRFI bets today for MLB games on Tuesday, June 24, 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, as there's nothing more tilting than watching your team strand baserunners when you need them to score in the first inning.
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 24, 2025)
- Athletics at Detroit Tigers: 6:40 pm
- Toronto Blue Jays at Cleveland Guardians: 6:40 pm
- New York Yankees at Cincinnati Reds: 7:10 pm
- Philadelphia Phillies at Houston Astros: 8:10 pm
Athletics at Detroit Tigers NRFI (-145 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- ATH: Luis Severino
- DET: Tarik Skubal
We get to watch the best pitcher in baseball today as Tarik Skubal takes the hill for the Tigers at home against the Athletics. I don't think I need to list out all of Skubal's stats this season to convince you that he's been phenomenal this season, but it's very relevant to our bet that his dominance has included great work in the first inning, as he's sporting a 13-2 NRFI record.
Happy Tarik Skubal bump day to all who celebrate! 🐅🔥#RepDetroit
📸: @tigers pic.twitter.com/6KlPJJnztt
— Tony Dombrowski (@tonydombrowski) June 24, 2025
The key here is Severino, who has been pretty darn good himself on NRFIs this season at 12-4 despite having some very mediocre overall numbers this season. It's tough to trust him at home, where he's struggled to a 6.79 ERA, but on the road, he's been very solid with a 0.93 ERA across 38 innings.
The offensive trends back this play in a big way as the Athletics are 1-9 on offensive YRFIs over their last 10, while the Tigers are just 2-8.
Toronto Blue Jays at Cleveland Guardians NRFI (+100 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- TOR: Eric Lauer
- CLE: Logan Allen
Oooh, some tasty odds here, and I am not sure why we are getting such a good number when both pitchers have been very effective in the first inning, and neither offense is anything special.
Toronto has been hot, with the fifth-best wRC+ against lefties over the last month, so Logan Allen will have his work cut out for him. Allen isn't a great pitcher, but he's been terrific early with an 11-2 NRFI record this season and comes into this one with a four-game NRFI streak.
Eric Lauer's 7th and 8th Ks pic.twitter.com/GmUJvGWQki
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 19, 2025
The Blue Jays have a 3-7 offensive NRFI mark over their last 10, so they're right in the middle of the pack. If Allen can pitch a clean first inning, then I love our chances because Eric Lauer has been fantastic for Toronto since entering the rotation.
Lauer was pitching in relief but has slid back into a starter role and is coming off his best start of the season. The Guardians have struggled against lefties lately, too, and are just 2-8 on offensive NRFIs over the last ten games.
New York Yankees at Cincinnati Reds NRFI (-105 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- NYY: Carlos Rodon
- CIN: Chase Burns
It's an exciting day at Great American Ball Park as the Reds are calling up their top pitching prospect, Chase Burns, to make his MLB debut against the visiting Yankees. It should be an electric atmosphere as Burns has the most buzz of any rookie debut since Paul Skenes' last season. His minor league numbers have been as impressive as Skenes, too, as he dominated at every level.
Carlos Rodón, Vicious 88mph Slider. 😤 pic.twitter.com/WTjGqDrXDy
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 19, 2025
He will have to face Aaron Judge, but I still give the young pitcher the advantage here as the Yankees haven't seen him before, and his stuff is tremendous. For the Yankees, it's Carlos Rodon on the hill who has been pretty darn good this year, too.
Rodon has a 12-4 NRFI record this year, but is riding a two-game YRFI streak. I think he gets back on track here against the Reds, who are significantly less dangerous against LHP. The hitting environment favors the bats, and we have some good hitters coming to the plate in the first inning who could launch a home run and beat us, but that's also why we are getting such attractive odds. I am rolling the dice on these pitchers today, and I think we can get a clean first inning.
Philadelphia Phillies at Houston Astros NRFI (-140 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- PHI: Ranger Suarez
- HOU: Framber Valdez
This may be the best pitchers' duel on the board tonight. Both lefties come into this matchup in excellent form. Ranger Suarez has picked up the win in six of his last eight starts, giving the Phillies at least six innings in every start.
Ranger Suarez last 8 starts:
53.2 IP, 39 H, 7 ER, 46 K, 12 BB, 1.17 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
In that time, 3rd in MLB in ERA, 5th in fWAR.
Should have made him a setup man! 🙄 pic.twitter.com/2p3MZwTtSl
— Bob Wankel (@Bob_Wankel) June 19, 2025
Meanwhile, Framber Valdez has recorded a win in seven of his last eight starts! He's cranked up the strikeouts, too, whiffing six or more hitters in seven of his last nine.
The books are factoring in the strong pitching here, but we are still below the -150 threshold, so I am in. I will say that Houston has been picking it up offensively of late, and their 40% YRFI rate scares me a bit, but Suarez has been a master of getting groundballs and inducing soft contact so I don't think he's a risk to give up a first inning home run (he has yet to allow one this season).
Notable NRFI/YRFI MLB Trends: Last 10 Games
- Best NRFI hit rate: Athletics (90%)
- Best YRFI hit rate: Angels, Red Sox, Cubs, Braves (50%)
- Most First Inning Home Runs: Cubs, Angels (5)
- Best First Inning Batting Average: Rays (.350)
- Best First Inning On-Base Percentage: Rays (.447)
Conclusion:
With a full 15-game MLB slate and top-tier arms on the mound, today’s card is tailor-made for savvy NRFI betting.
After cashing three of four plays last night—including a wild YRFI win—we’re back to focusing strictly on NRFI bets today, capitalizing on elite pitching matchups and cold first-inning offenses.
Each of these MLB NRFI bets has been selected based on recent team trends, pitcher NRFI success rates, and favorable splits. As always, monitor lineups and weather before locking in your wagers, and stick with us daily for your most reliable NRFI betting insights.
Good luck if you choose to tail these bets, and please remember to bet responsibly!
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