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 | K. Maeda (Twins) vs. S. Alcantara (Marlins) |
| First Pitch | 6:40 p.m. ET |
| Matchup | S. Bieber (Guardians) vs. J. Sears (Athletics) |
| First Pitch | 9:40 p.m. ET |
Today, we will create a custom No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bet by analyzing the performances of two pitchers in two different games. This personalized bet 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.
Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara emerged as one of the premier NRFI pitchers in MLB last season. He recorded a remarkable 26-6 NRFI record, accompanied by a 12-4 home NRFI split. When facing batters for the first time through the order, he allowed only 46 hits in 265 at-bats, resulting in a .174 average.
The limited experience the Twins' hitters have against Alcantara will work to his advantage. Byron Buxton is 0-for-2, Christian Vázquez is 0-for-2, Kyle Farmer is 0-for-6 and Joey Gallo 3-for-8.
The Twins are likely to have at least two lefties at the top of the order to face the right-handed Alcantara, such as Nick Gordon and Trevor Larnach. However, Alcantara kept lefties in check since last season, allowing only 87 hits in 480 at-bats for a .196 average. In 2023, he has allowed just two hits in 15 at-bats so far.
Our second option today is Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Guardians. Last season, Bieber posted an impressive 26-5 NRFI record with a 15-3 road NRFI split. When facing batters for the first time through the order, he allowed a .193 average across 264 at-bats.
The Athletics' hitters also have limited experience against Bieber, which will be to their disadvantage. Jesus Aguilar is 0-for-5, Tony Kemp is 1-for-4, Seth Brown is 1-for-3 and Aledmys Diaz is 2-for-5.
Though it is a limited sample size, the Oakland Athletics remain one of the worst first-inning hitting teams in the MLB, with only three hits in 18 plate appearances. As previously mentioned, the Oakland Athletics' stadium is considered an NRFI paradise due to the extensive foul ball territory.
The best odds available on this customized NRFI are at DraftKings (-175), as it provides a significant edge over Barstool (-249).
As always, six outs to glory…
