NRFI Today: 3 NRFI Picks, Predictions, Best Bets for Friday, August 28, 2026

Today's Top NRFI Picks at a Glance

• Padres at Rays NRFI
• Mariners at Blue Jays NRFI
• Rangers at Brewers NRFI

Friday offers several appealing pitching matchups, including a pair of starters with sub-1.00 WHIPs and another game featuring two pitchers with ERAs below 3.50.

What are the top NRFI bets for today?

On FanDuel Sportsbook's MLB odds, we can find NRFI odds listed as 1st Inning 0.5 Runs under the Innings tab for each MLB game.

Please note: lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. You can also check out our MLB player news page to stay up to date with lineup news and injuries.

Check out the top home run picks and MLB props for today.

NRFI Bets Today: No Run First Inning Picks

Padres at Rays NRFI (-113)

Shane McClanahan has returned to being a dependable option atop the Tampa Bay Rays‘ rotation.

The left-hander has worked 107.1 innings this season while producing a 3.10 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. He has also allowed opponents relatively little power, which is particularly useful when betting a market where one mistake can immediately sink the wager.

Casey Mize has been solid, as well, entering Friday with a 3.44 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 104.2 innings. His 23% strikeout rate is also comfortably above his walk rate, resulting in a strong 16% strikeout-minus-walk percentage.

There are some dangerous hitters on both sides, but the pitching matchup is strong enough for me to trust a scoreless opening frame.

Mariners at Blue Jays NRFI (-172)

Dylan Cease has been one of baseball's most dominant starting pitchers this season, making this one of my favorite NRFI spots of the day.

Cease owns a 2.37 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 144.1 innings while striking out a massive 36% of the hitters he's faced. He’s been outstanding for the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Seattle Mariners will counter with Emerson Hancock, who has been quietly effective in his own right. Hancock carries a 3.37 ERA and 1.12 WHIP through 133.2 innings, and his 23% strikeout rate is backed by a strong 17% strikeout-minus-walk rate.

The Mariners' offense against Cease is the biggest reason to like this wager, but Hancock has been steady enough that I'm comfortable trusting both sides of the pitching matchup.

Rangers at Brewers NRFI (-120)

Logan Henderson's breakout campaign makes the Milwaukee Brewers-Texas Rangers matchup another appealing option.

Henderson has recorded a 2.60 ERA and sparkling 0.89 WHIP over 69.1 innings. His underlying numbers are strong, too, with a 30% strikeout rate and 25% strikeout-minus-walk rate.

Cody Bradford doesn't have nearly as large of a sample, but he has allowed only a 3.05 ERA over 20.2 innings. Milwaukee's offense is certainly capable of doing damage, so Bradford represents the riskier half of this matchup.

The full-game total is sitting at just 7.5 runs, which is another positive indicator for a low-scoring environment, and ultimately I think Bradford can navigate a clean first.

NRFI Betting — Frequently Asked Questions

What does NRFI mean in baseball betting? NRFI stands for No Run First Inning. It's a baseball bet where you wager that neither team will score in the first inning. The opposite bet — at least one run scored in the first inning — is called YRFI (Yes Run First Inning).

How does a NRFI bet work? A NRFI bet is settled when the first inning is completed. If both teams fail to score, your bet wins. If either team scores one or more runs, the bet loses. The final game score has no bearing on the outcome.

What is the difference between NRFI and YRFI? NRFI bets that no runs will score in the first inning, while YRFI bets that at least one run will.

What stats should I look at for NRFI bets? The most important factors are usually each starting pitcher's first-inning ERA, WHIP, and strikeout rate (K%). You should also look at each team's first-inning batting average and on-base percentage as well as individual player stats for the first few batters in the lineup for each team.

Can I parlay NRFI bets? Yes, FanDuel lets you parlay NRFIs across multiple games on the same slate.

Where can you find NRFI betting lines on FanDuel? You can find NRFI odds listed as 1st Inning 0.5 Runs under the Innings tab for each MLB game.

New customers can get up to $350 in Bonus Bets — guaranteed — when you bet $5 every day for seven days. Place your first wager now! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today's other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Which MLB bets stand out to you today? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's MLB odds to see the full menu of options.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.