Shayne Trail breaks down his favorite NRFI/YRFI bets of the day below, but you can follow all of his bets in the Action Network app.
| Matchup | Paul Blackburn vs. Sandy Alcantara |
| First Pitch | 1:40 p.m. ET |
| Matchup | Triston McKenzie vs. Joe Ryan |
| First Pitch | 2:10 p.m. ET |
Today we will create a custom No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bet which can be crafted through sportsbooks such as DraftKings and Barstool. This NRFI bet is different from a traditional NRFI, as it combines two separate half-innings from the first innings of two different games. This approach allows you to have a better edge and tailor the bet to your preferences.
Former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara is the first NRFI pitcher worth backing. This season, Alcantara's record is nothing short of exceptional, standing tall at 10–1 for the No Runs First Inning (NRFI). Furthermore, his performance at home is strong, boasting a 18-4 home NRFI split since 2022. When facing batters the first time through the order, Alcantara's mastery is evident as he is conceding just a .183 average.
It is significant to note that the Oakland A’s have struggled offensively, especially in first innings. Their team average in the last 14 days stands below .200, providing an additional edge to Alcantara. Moreover, his lack of previous encounters with Oakland A’s batters lends to his advantage as it introduces an element of unfamiliarity to the mix.
On the flip side of our custom NRFI bet, the Minnesota Twins' dark-horse contender for the Cy Young award, Joe Ryan, squares up against the Cleveland Guardians. Ryan's record runs parallel to Alcantara's as he sports an impressive 9–2 NRFI record this season and an overall tally of 29–9 since the 2022 season.
His track record against the Cleveland Guardians hitters — Andres Gimenez 2-15, Jose Ramirez 3-17, Amed Rosario 2-13, Josh Naylor 1-8, and Will Brennan 0-3 — is a testament to his potency. It is crucial to emphasize that over the past two weeks, the Cleveland Guardians have been one of the most sluggish first-inning teams in the league, with a pitiful .189 average as they have scraped together a mere 10 hits over 55 plate appearances.
Currently, DraftKings is setting the odds for this NRFI at -170, which offers a terrific opportunity to back two of the MLB's leading NRFI pitchers. Both are squared up against two slumping first-inning offenses, with the added advantage of playing at home.
As always, six outs to glory…
