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Read our best NRFI betting picks today - Major League Baseball NRFI predictions for 5/26/2025. No Runs First Inning (NRFI) betting tips, expert MLB predictions, odds, and trends.
We've got nearly a full slate with 12 games on Monday, so let's dive in to bring you my best NRFI bets today and bonus bets. The goal is to go 4-0 on our NRFI picks, which range from +100 to -140 odds.
There are a few intriguing spots for scoreless first innings today. We've got a projected pitcher's duel in Cleveland between Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Gavin Williams, along with three matchups that feature starters who have performed well against the NRFI, including Twins vs. Rays, Pirates vs. Diamondbacks, and Yankees vs. Angels.
On this page, I'll provide my best NRFI bets today for MLB games on Monday, May 26, 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 hit more often, which is why you often 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. To be honest, it's probably best not to watch the game if you take the YRFI.
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 (May 26, 2025)
- Los Angeles Dodgers at Cleveland Guardians: 6:10 pm
- Minnesota Twins at Tampa Bay Rays: 7:05 pm
- Pittsburgh Pirates at Arizona Diamondbacks: 8:10 pm
- New York Yankees at Los Angeles Angels: 9:38 pm
Los Angeles Dodgers at Cleveland Guardians NRFI (-140 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- LAD: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- CLE: Gavin Williams
Yamamoto has been fantastic for the Dodgers this year, registering a 1.86 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 18 walks and 68 strikeouts in 58 innings. The second-year righty has allowed one earned run or fewer in six of nine starts.
This is a good matchup against the Guardians, who have put up a .285 xwOBA against righties in the last 14 days, which ranks 30th in MLB during that stretch.
It's also encouraging to see that Yamamoto has a 9-1 record against the NRFI this season. The Guardians have a 39-13 NRFI record, which is another positive.
On the other side, the Guardians are rolling with Williams, who has turned his season around in his last couple of outings. During this stretch, Williams has allowed a combined three earned runs in 16 innings across three starts. This includes seven walks and 20 strikeouts.
While Williams does not have as good of a NRFI record as Yamamoto at 6-4, this is a pitcher trending in a positive direction right now. It also helps that the Dodgers have ice-cold bats, putting up a 71 wRC+ in the last seven days, which ranks 27th in MLB during that stretch.
Even though we have to pay a hefty price of (-140) odds, I'm willing to take the risk considering this has a game total of 7.5 and we have an intriguing pitching matchup.
Minnesota Twins at Tampa Bay Rays NRFI (-110 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- MIN: Chris Paddack
- TB: Zack Littell
Paddack has been in a rhythm lately, allowing a combined 12 earned runs in his last eight starts, spanning 44.2 innings.
This pitcher has a rock-solid 7-3 record against the NRFI, taking on a Rays team with a 39-13 record. You must love that combination, even in a hitter's park like George Steinbrenner Field.
The Rays counter with Zack Littell, who has gone six innings in five of his last seven starts, allowing two earned runs or fewer in five of those outings.
Like Paddack, Littell has performed well against the NRFI with a 7-3 record. The Twins have also been a team to target for a scoreless first inning, as highlighted by a 34-18 record.
While Tampa has been hot at the plate with a 128 wRC+ in the last seven days, Minnesota has been ice-cold, featuring an 83 wRC+ during that stretch.
We can feel confident in Littell shutting the door in the top of the first, but we need Paddack to hold down the fort. Considering how he's performed lately, there's a reasonable chance that he gets this done.
You have to like that we're getting a reasonable price of (-110) odds on this wager.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Arizona Diamondbacks NRFI (+100 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- PIT: Andrew Heaney
- ARI: Ryne Nelson
Heaney has fallen off after a strong start to the season regarding strikeouts, registering only 11 in his last five starts, spanning 24.1 innings. But the veteran lefty has done a good job keeping offenses in check, holding opponents to two earned runs or fewer in three consecutive outings.
The former Ranger has an elite 8-2 record against the NRFI, so we have to ride with him while he continues to have success in the first inning.
The D-Backs counter with Nelson, who did a good job against the Dodgers in his last turn, limiting them to one earned run in five strong innings. This included a scoreless opening frame.
When you consider that both Pittsburgh (38-16) and Arizona (34-19) have solid NRFI records, you have to like that we're getting (+100) odds on this one.
New York Yankees at Los Angeles Angels NRFI (+105 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Starting Pitchers
- NYY: Ryan Yarbrough
- LAA: Jack Kochanowicz
The last NRFI on my Monday betting card starts with Yarbrough for the Yankees. The crafty lefty is coming off his best outing of the season, where he dominated the Rangers for five innings of one-run ball, including eight strikeouts.
While Kochanowicz hasn't been great, we've seen him perform well recently, especially against the Dodgers, where he held them to only one earned run in 6.2 innings.
Both Yarbrough (3-0) and Kochanowicz (7-3) have strong NRFI records, making this worth a shot at (+105) odds.
We'll take a chance that these two can pitch to contact to escape trouble in the opening frame. This is mostly a value play on a plus-money NRFI featuring two pitchers who have performed well in the first inning.
Notable NRFI/YRFI MLB Trends: Last 10 Games
- Best NRFI hit rate: Mets, Orioles, Rangers, Blue Jays, Giants (9)
- Best YRFI hit rate: Nationals (6)
- Most First Inning Home Runs: Braves (5)
- Best First Inning Batting Average: Nationals (.413)
Conclusion: Best MLB NRFI Bets Today (May 26, 2025)
As we head into a nearly full Monday slate of games, today's MLB NRFI bets offer plenty of value with intense pitching matchups and favorable trends. From a pitcher's duel in Cleveland to three other games with pitchers that have strong NRFI records, there is no shortage of intriguing spots here.
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 Yamamoto leading the charge, we can feel confident in a profitable night here.
Good luck with your MLB NRFI bets, and as always, bet responsibly!
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