NRFI Today: 3 NRFI Picks, Predictions, Best Bets for Friday, September 4, 2026

Today's Top NRFI Picks at a Glance

• Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies NRFI
• Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles NRFI
• New York Yankees at San Diego Padres NRFI

The MLB season is an annual marathon that gives us months of daily betting markets to consider.

While traditional player props like home runs and strikeouts remain popular options, one market that's gained steam is betting whether or not no runs will be scored in the first inning -- aka a No Run First Inning (NRFI) bet.

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.

Best NRFI Picks and Predictions for Today

Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies NRFI (-166)

This is my favorite NRFI spot on Friday's slate, with Chris Sale and Cristopher Sánchez scheduled to square off.

Sale has been outstanding in 2026, pitching to a 2.06 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 144.0 innings. He's also sporting a 31.0% strikeout rate and a 26.0% K-BB rate, giving him multiple ways to navigate a dangerous portion of the Philadelphia Phillies‘ lineup without allowing a run.

Sánchez has been similarly dominant. The Philadelphia left-hander owns a 2.52 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 175.1 innings, and his 28.0% strikeout rate gives him plenty of swing-and-miss upside against the top of the Atlanta Braves‘ order.

There's obviously some offensive firepower on both sides, but it's difficult to find a better starting-pitching matchup than this one. With two of the better left-handers in baseball taking the mound, I'll back the NRFI.

Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles NRFI (-148)

This clash gives us Ranger Suárez versus Shane Baz in Baltimore.

Suárez has been solid this season, posting a 3.64 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 123.2 innings. His 23.1% strikeout rate is more than respectable, and Baltimore has struck out at a 25.9% clip against left-handed pitching, the second-highest mark in baseball.

Baz enters with a 4.01 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 157.0 innings, so he's certainly the riskier half of the equation. Still, he's struck out 20.8% of hitters while maintaining a solid 12.6% K-BB rate.

This doesn't have the same combination of elite starters as Atlanta-Philadelphia, but I like Suárez's matchup enough to take a chance on Baz getting through the Boston Red Sox‘s first three hitters.

New York Yankees at San Diego Padres NRFI (-154)

Max Fried is the primary reason to target this matchup.

The New York Yankees‘ lefty has registered a 2.80 ERA and 1.00 WHIP this season. Petco Park is also a favorable setting for a first-inning wager, particularly compared to some of the more hitter-friendly venues on Friday's slate.

Walker Buehler's overall numbers aren't nearly as impressive, as he's carrying a 4.66 ERA and 1.36 WHIP through 131.1 innings. However, there are some encouraging matchup numbers. Current Yankees hitters have struck out in 30.2% of their 116 career plate appearances against Buehler while producing a .309 expected wOBA.

The top of New York's order makes this somewhat uncomfortable, but Fried plus the ballpark environment and Buehler's history against the Yankees are enough for me to side with the NRFI.

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.

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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.