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Read our best NRFI betting picks today - Major League Baseball NRFI predictions for 8/13/2025. No Runs First Inning (NRFI) betting tips, expert MLB predictions, odds, and trends.
We've got a full slate with 15 games on Monday, so there are several of exploitable 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 an unpredictable market like the first inning.
The focus of my targets was on players who perform well in the first inning, including Joe Ryan vs. Cam Schlittler, Cade Horton vs. Kevin Gausman, Carlos Carrasco vs. David Peterson, and Walker Buehler vs. Hunter Brown.
On this page, I'll provide my best NRFI bets today for MLB games on Wednesday, August 13, 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 (August 13, 2025)
- Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees: 7:05 pm ET
- Chicago Cubs at Toronto Blue Jays: 7:07 pm ET
- Atlanta Braves at New York Mets: 7:10 pm ET
- Boston Red Sox at Houston Astros: 7:10 pm ET
Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees NRFI (-110 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- MIN: Joe Ryan
- NYY: Cam Schlittler
Joe Ryan's Ungodly Sweeper with 30 inches of Horizontal Break...with Tail. 😳 pic.twitter.com/rBCq28amFt
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 27, 2025
The first NRFI starts with an AL clash between the Twins and Yankees.
Minnesota is going with Ryan, who has a 2.79 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 25 walks and 146 strikeouts in 132.1 innings. These strong surface stats are backed by advanced metrics, as highlighted by a 3.17 SIERA.
What's great about targeting Ryan in this spot at Yankee Stadium is how good he's been in the first inning, featuring an impressive 17-5 NRFI record. This makes you feel better about this bet despite the game being played in a hitter-friendly environment.
On the other side, we have Schlittler, who has a 4.38 ERA and 1.66 WHIP with 12 walks and 24 strikeouts in 24.2 innings. While these numbers are underwhelming, the rookie righty has given up two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four outings.
That makes me feel a bit better about his poor 1-4 NRFI record.
The main appeal here is on Ryan, so we'll take a shot that Schlittler can do his part in the top half of the first inning.
Chicago Cubs at Toronto Blue Jays NRFI (-130 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- CHC: Cade Horton
- TOR: Kevin Gausman
Cade Horton pushes his scoreless innings streak to 23.1 IP!
The longest scoreless streak by a @Cubs rookie EVER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Y0sVhexdkW
— MLB (@MLB) August 6, 2025
The next NRFI starts with Cubs' righty Horton, who continues to enjoy an impressive season, putting up a 3.18 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 25 walks and 59 strikeouts in 79.1 innings. The 23-year-old has allowed zero earned runs in four consecutive outings.
Additionally, Horton has done well in the first inning, featuring a 9-5 NRFI record.
On the other side, the Blue Jays are rolling with Gausman, who has registered a 3.85 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 39 walks and 135 strikeouts in 135.2 innings this season.
The Blue Jays' righty has given up one earned run or fewer in three of his last four starts, which makes me feel bullish about a scoreless first inning here, especially with his rock-solid 15-8 NRFI record.
When you consider both of these pitchers' recent forms, you have to like the NRFI in this spot, even at -130 odds.
Atlanta Braves at New York Mets NRFI (-105 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- ATL: Carlos Carrasco
- NYM: David Peterson
The third NRFI heads to Queens, where the focus is on two pitchers who have terrific NRFI records.
Braves' righty Carrasco is having an abysmal season, posting a 6.18 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 14 walks and 32 strikeouts in 43.2 innings. This includes a 10.6% barrel rate, which is among the worst in MLB.
Carrasco has given up four earned runs or more in two of his four outings. So, why do I like the NRFI here? It's because Carrasco surprisingly has an 8-0 record in the first inning.
The Mets have had a starting pitcher go 6 or more innings 8 times in their last 50 games
David Peterson is all 8 of those starts pic.twitter.com/fhiQGqVG7n
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) August 6, 2025
On the other side, the Angels counter with Peterson, who has put up a 2.98 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 45 walks and 112 strikeouts in 133 innings.
The Mets' lefty has been an anchor in their rotation, allowing two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six starts.
On top of that, Peterson has been terrific in the first inning, as highlighted by his elite 19-3 NRFI record.
With how dominant each of these pitchers has been in the opening frame, I'm willing to take a shot on a scoreless first inning in this spot, especially when we only have to pay a -105 price.
Boston Red Sox at Houston Astros NRFI (-125 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- BOS: Walker Buehler
- HOU: Hunter Brown
Hunter Brown is built different.
7 games with 9+ strikeouts - most in MLB pic.twitter.com/w4mOcn0X4g
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 14, 2025
The final NRFI in this column is between the Red Sox and Astros.
We'll start with Buehler, who has had a disappointing debut season in Boston, putting up a 5.40 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with 46 walks and 75 strikeouts in 100 innings.
This includes a below-average 9.3% barrel rate, which isn't good news for a NRFI.
With that said, Buehler has a respectable 13-7 NRFI record, so we'll take a shot on him here.
On the other side, the Astros are going with their ace in Brown, who has carried over last year's second-half dominance with a terrific season, putting up a 2.51 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 40 walks and 160 strikeouts in 136.1 innings.
Brown has been dominant in the opening frame, posting a 19-5 NRFI record.
Conclusion: Best MLB NRFI Bets Today (August 13, 2025)
As we head into a 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, as some of these NRFI odds could shift as the public piles in.
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