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Read our best NRFI betting picks today - Major League Baseball NRFI predictions for 7/30/2025. No Runs First Inning (NRFI) betting tips, expert MLB predictions, odds, and trends.
We've got a full slate with 15 games on Wednesday, so there are plenty of favorable spots to target to bring you my best NRFI bets today and bonus bets. The goal is to achieve a profitable result while sticking to reasonable odds, as we aim to minimize our risk in a volatile market like the first inning.
There are a few intriguing spots for scoreless first innings on Wednesday. Each game features pitchers who have performed well in the first inning, including Zack Littell vs. Will Warren, Shohei Ohtani vs. Nick Martinez, Cal Quantrill vs. Miles Mikolas, and Nathan Eovaldi vs. Jose Soriano.
On this page, I'll provide my best NRFI bets today for MLB games on Wednesday, July 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 happen more often, which is why you usually see shorter odds compared to YRFI. It's also just more enjoyable, as 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, I suggest not even watching the game.
My favorite 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 (July 30, 2025)
- Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees: 7:05 pm ET
- Los Angeles Dodgers at Cincinnati Reds: 7:10 pm ET
- Miami Marlins at St. Louis Cardinals: 7:45 pm ET
- Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels: 9:38 pm ET
Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees NRFI (-102 FanDuel Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- TB: Zack Littell
- NYY: Will Warren
The first NRFI starts with an AL East clash between the Rays and Yankees.
Tampa Bay is going with Littell, who has a respectable 3.72 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 17 walks and 85 strikeouts in 128.1 innings. The veteran innings-eater has given up two earned runs or fewer in four of his last six starts. This feels like a good spot for that streak to continue vs. a Yankees lineup that is still without Aaron Judge.
It also helps that Littell has performed well in the first inning this season, putting up a 15-6 NRFI record. There's even a chance that the Rays will trade Littell at the deadline, meaning this could be his last start with the team, adding a little extra motivation for this game.
Other teams perceive Tampa Bay, which slumped through a brutal July, has joined the Diamondbacks as one of the primary sellers in the market: SP Zack Littell ("He's GOING to be traded," said one evaluator), RP Garrett Cleavinger and Peter Fairbanks, Yandy Diaz, Josh Lowe,…
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 29, 2025
On the other side, we have Warren, who has had an inconsistent season, posting a 4.82 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 50 walks and 124 strikeouts in 104.2 innings. However, since an eight-run blowup on July 2, the young righty has given up two earned runs or fewer in three of four outings.
We've also seen Warren fare well vs. the NRFI, registering an impressive 17-5 record. This is the type of strikeout pitcher that you want to target when looking for scoreless first innings.
With that in mind, you have to like getting a (-102) price on an NRFI considering these factors.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Cincinnati Reds NRFI (+110 bet365 Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- LAD: Shohei Ohtani
- CIN: Nick Martinez
The next NRFI focuses on the best player in baseball, who is starting to find his groove on the mound. We just need the opposing starter to hold down the fort for one inning.
Ohtani has allowed a combined one earned run in his last five appearances, spanning 11 innings. During this stretch, the Dodgers' superstar has three walks and 13 strikeouts, displaying improved control that you want to see when targeting an NRFI.
Additionally, Ohtani has done well in the first inning so far this season, as highlighted by a respectable 4-2 record.
John Smoltz on Shohei Ohtani:
"If all he did was pitch, he would be the best pitcher in baseball." pic.twitter.com/BdJQ3BZmAg
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 14, 2025
The Reds counter with Martinez, who has had an up-and-down season, featuring a 4.69 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 29 walks and 86 strikeouts in 121 innings. However, since getting rocked for 10 runs on July 8, the Reds righty has given up two earned runs in each of his last three outings.
In addition to this, we've seen Martinez do a good job in the first inning, featuring an impressive 15-6 NRFI record.
The risk here is that this game is in a hitter-friendly environment at Great American Ball Park, but I'm willing to take a chance because we're getting a (+110) price.
Miami Marlins at St. Louis Cardinals NRFI (-105 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- MIA: Cal Quantrill
- STL: Miles Mikolas
The third NRFI heads to St. Louis, where we have two starters who prefer to pitch to contact.
We'll start with Quantrill, who has abysmal overall numbers, including a 5.05 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 24 walks and 74 strikeouts in 92.2 innings. However, the veteran righty has found a rhythm in his last two starts, where he's combined for one earned run allowed in 11 innings.
Despite the underwhelming season-long stats, Quantrill has been fantastic in the first inning, including an elite 16-4 NRFI record.
In his last 7 starts, Cal Quantrill has been exactly what the #Marlins signed him to be.
33.1 IP
5:28 BB:K
4.05 ERA
1.02 WHIPSomeone will be calling Miami for him, and he may get a better player in return than what his full season stats show. pic.twitter.com/MUOlh3zUSG
— Jonathan (@JonAndersen_5R) July 25, 2025
The Cardinals are countering with Mikolas. Like Quantrill, Mikolas' numbers don't jump out at you, featuring a 4.94 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 23 walks and 70 strikeouts in 102 innings.
However, the veteran righty has allowed zero earned runs in two of his last three starts. On top of that, he's got a rock-solid 12-8 NRFI record.
Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels NRFI (-125 Caesars Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- TEX: Nathan Eovaldi
- LAA: Jose Soriano
The last NRFI on my Wednesday betting card starts with Eovaldi, who has been excellent this season, putting up a 1.50 ERA and 0.88 WHIP with 18 walks and 101 strikeouts in 96 innings.
We've seen the veteran righty excel in the first inning, including an elite 14-3 NRFI record.
After tonight’s start, Nathan Eovaldi lowers his ERA to 1.50 over 17 starts.
Unreal. pic.twitter.com/gq9VqTEt7j
— SleeperRangers (@SleeperRangers) July 26, 2025
On the other side, Soriano has given up two runs or fewer in three of his last five starts. The Angels' righty has also done well vs. the NRFI, featuring a 17-5 record.
With that in mind, you can see why I'm willing to pay (-125) juice on a scoreless first inning here.
Conclusion: Best MLB NRFI Bets Today (July 30, 2025)
As we head into a full Wednesday 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 are in favorable spots or excel in the first time through the order.
Whether you're targeting pitchers with elite strikeout rates or strong control, 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.
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