One of the shortest-lasting bets you can make in an MLB game is if a run will be scored in the first inning. All it takes is 6 outs to glory, and one swing of the bat can make or break your bet. There is also a lot of value in these bets because the odds are usually very well priced, and if you’re not a fan of sweating out your bets for 3 hours then this one will take only about 15 minutes to win or lose. We’re also 5-0 in our last 5 YRFI/NRFI bets.
There are 2 YRFI/NRFI bets I like for Wednesday’s slate, so let’s get right into it.
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New York Yankees vs Texas Rangers: NRFI (-130)
The last time Glenn Otto allowed a run in the first inning was on June 26. That means he has thrown a scoreless first inning in his last 17 consecutive starts. With a trend that has that big of a sample size, it’s absolutely worth looking into. It doesn’t take long to see that Otto struggles the second time through the order, but he’s found success in the first inning. He’s held opponents to a .202 batting average and a .303 slugging percentage in the first frame this year. In his one start against the Yankees back in May, he did not allow a run until the 3rd inning.
Another thing to keep in mind will be the Yankees starting lineup since Aaron Judge hit home run #62 on Tuesday night. The slugger might get the day off on Wednesday, considering he hasn’t had an off-day in a long time since he’s been on his quest for the history-making homer.
In Domingo German’s last 13 starts, he has allowed a first-inning run only 3 times. He will face a Rangers offense that has scored a first-inning run in 3 of their last 13 games. Corey Seager was not in the starting lineup in game two of the doubleheader on Tuesday, but I do expect the entire starting Texas lineup on Wednesday since it is their last game of the year. However, at -130, the NRFI has excellent value in Texas. It’s hard to ignore Otto’s streak of scoreless first innings, so I’ll back the trend for a 0-0 first frame in Texas.
Be sure to check out our full New York Yankees vs Texas Rangers predictions
Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds NRFI: (-130)
It’s the final game of the season, and these teams couldn’t be happier. It’s been a rough season for these two clubs, and Adrian Sampson and Graham Ashcraft will wrap up the year for these two teams. What makes this bet have value is these two starters have been solid in the first inning this year, and these offenses are two of the worst in baseball. The NRFI is 96-65 in the Reds’ 161 games this season, including 49-31 at home. That’s where this game will take place, and Ashcraft will start for the home team, who has limited opponents to a .214 batting average in the first frame. He’s faced the Cubs in 2 of his last 4 starts and did not allow a first-inning run in either of those outings. Those two games are part of his 8-0 streak of scoreless first innings in his last 8 starts.
Just like Ashcraft, Sampson has faced the Cubs twice in his last 4 outings and did not allow a first-inning run. He’s thrown a scoreless first frame in 7 of his last 8 outings and will face a Cubs offense that does not score early. They’ve scored a run in the first inning in just 2 of their last 17 games, and with only one game left, I don’t expect that trend to change. These two offenses lack power at the top of the order, so I expect a scoreless first frame in Cincinnati.
Be sure to check out our full Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds predictions
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