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Read our best NRFI betting picks today - Major League Baseball NRFI predictions for 6/6/2025. 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 favorable 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 usually range from +100 to -140 odds.
There are a few intriguing spots for scoreless first innings today. Each of the games we've chosen featured pitchers who have performed well in the first inning, including Patrick Corbin vs Michael Soroka, Colton Gordon vs Logan Allen, Randy Vasquez vs Chad Patrick, and Spencer Schwellenbach vs Hayden Birdsong.
On this page, I'll provide my best NRFI bets today for MLB games on Friday, June 6, 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 occur more frequently, 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 (June 6, 2025)
- Texas Rangers at Washington Nationals: 6:45 pm
- Houston Astros at Cleveland Guardians: 7:10 pm
- San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers: 8:10 pm
- Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants: 10:15 pm
Texas Rangers at Washington Nationals NRFI (-105 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- TEX: Patrick Corbin
- WAS: Michael Soroka
You may wonder why I'd target an NRFI with Corbin on the mound, but the veteran lefty has excelled in the first inning. This pitcher has a 9-1 NRFI record this season.
Even though Corbin has an underwhelming 3.71 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with only 41 strikeouts in 5.1 innings, it's hard to pass up that type of success in the opening frame.
Patrick Corbin has struck out six consecutive batters 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/W0tAsO54oI
— MLB (@MLB) May 15, 2025
On the other hand, we have Soroka, who has done well in the first inning, as highlighted by a 6-0 NRFI record.
We've seen Soroka show improved command lately, with one walk or fewer in four consecutive outings.
It also helps that the Rangers have done well with NRFIs lately, including a 9-1 record in their last 10 games. The Nationals even have a respectable 7-3 NRFI record during that stretch.
Add in the fact that we're paying a reasonable price of (-105) odds, and you can see why this is a sneaky spot for a scoreless first inning.
Houston Astros at Cleveland Guardians NRFI (-120 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- HOU: Colton Gordon
- CLE: Logan Allen
The next NRFI starts with a rookie lefty with elite command in Gordon, who has issued only one walk in 19.2 innings.
It also helps that the Guardians have struggled against lefties this season, as highlighted by a 25.3% strikeout rate, which ranks 21st in MLB.
Gordon has a respectable record against the NRFI at 3-1 so far this year.
Colton Gordon, Filthy 82mph Sweeper. 😷 pic.twitter.com/MqvNMamQT3
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 19, 2025
The Guardians counter with Allen, who, despite his flaws, has performed exceptionally well in the first inning. This is similar to Corbin in that we're targeting a mediocre pitcher because of his first-inning success. Allen has an impressive 8-2 record against the NRFI this year.
We're getting a reasonable price of (-120) odds, so we don't have to worry about too much juice in this one, making the NRFI worth the look.
San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers NRFI (+105 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- SD: Randy Vasquez
- MIL: Chad Patrick
The third NRFI heads to Milwaukee, where we have a pair of pitchers with strong NRFI records.
Vasquez (9-3) and Patrick have each performed well in the opening frame this season.
The main appeal with this play is Patrick, who is on a roll right now, allowing two runs or fewer in four of his last five games.
The Brewers always seem to find pitchers out of nowhere -- last year it was Tobias Myers, this time it's Patrick.
Chad Patrick, Painted 87mph Back Door Cutter. 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/iB3nDskX0h
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 21, 2025
The Padres' 7-3 NRFI record in their last 10 games also bodes well for this play.
We need Vasquez to hold down the fort for one inning.
Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants NRFI (-145 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- ATL: Spencer Schwellenbach
- SF: Hayden Birdsong
The last NRFI on my Friday betting card starts with one of the hottest pitchers in baseball in Schwellenbach. The Braves' righty has struck out 11 in back-to-back outings.
I'm expecting more of the same from Schwellenbach in a pitcher-friendly environment at San Francisco.
It's also encouraging that Schwellenbach has a 9-3 record against the NRFI this year. The Giants even have a 9-1 record vs NRFI in the last 10 games.
Spencer Schwellenbach never let go of the shortstop in him pic.twitter.com/NU0HHs2axy
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) May 25, 2025
On the other side, Birdsong has also done well in the opening frame, featuring a 3-0 NRFI record.
The Giants' righty has a 2.37 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 38 innings, so there's enough swing-and-miss here that makes a scoreless first inning look likely.
While this prop is priced up at (-155) odds, I can't pass up on a chance to ride the Schwellenbach train while he's performing so well. We just need Birdsong to do his part for one half inning.
Notable NRFI/YRFI MLB Trends: Last 10 Games
- Best NRFI hit rate: Rangers, Giants, Pirates (9)
- Best YRFI hit rate: Mets (4)
- Most First Inning Home Runs: Mets, Angels (5)
- Best First Inning Batting Average: Mets (.375)
Conclusion: Best MLB NRFI Bets Today (June 6, 2025)
As we head into a full Friday slate of games, today's MLB NRFI bets offer plenty of value with favorable pitching matchups and helpful trends. The focus of today's column was on pitchers who excel in the first inning, even if their overall numbers aren't great.
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 Schwellenbach leading the charge, we can feel confident in a profitable night here.
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