The NRFI bet, short for “No Run First Inning,” has quietly become one of the most popular MLB betting markets in recent years.
Here are our best NRFI picks for today, Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Instead of betting on the full game, NRFI bettors focus on just the first inning, wagering on whether either team will score before the second inning begins.
At CLEATZ, we track starting pitcher matchups, NRFI career and season records, lineup tendencies, weather, and scoring trends to identify the top NRFI picks today across today’s slate.
All MLB season long, this page updates daily with:
- Top NRFI picks today, plus YRFI picks, which are termed as “fades” below
- Starting Pitcher matchup analysis
- MLB First-inning scoring trends
- NRFI odds and movement via DraftKings sportsbook
- 2026 season and career win/loss records and percentages for NRFI/YRFI
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NRFI Picks Today + Fades (YRFI)
Just a reminder that we place an NRFI or YRFI pick on every game. Fades or YRFI picks continue their ridiculous run of 28-6 over the past 10 weeks. Our “Strong” NRFI selections have performed well all season and more recently on a 26-15 L41 run!
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If you’re looking for even more MLB betting analysis, explore CLEATZ’s other MLB props coverage, including MLB strikeout props, home run props, and MLB weather.
NRFI & YRFI Team Records Tracking
Updated today, Sunday, July 26, 2026, see the latest NRFI and YRFI team standings for the 2026 season.
MLB NRFI / YRFI Team Records — 2026 Season
Track every MLB team’s No Run First Inning (NRFI) and Yes Run First Inning (YRFI) records for the 2026 regular season. Stats update live and include each team’s overall record, winning percentage, home/away splits, games played, and current streak — sorted by best NRFI percentage by default.
Neither team scores in the top or bottom of the 1st inning. A NRFI bet wins if the first inning ends 0-0.
At least one run is scored in the 1st inning by either team. A YRFI bet wins the moment any run crosses the plate.
Data pulled live from the official MLB Stats API. Refresh for the latest results after each day’s games.
What Is an NRFI Bet?
An NRFI bet is a wager on no runs being scored in the first inning of a baseball game.
The opposite bet is YRFI, “Yes Run First Inning.”
Example odds:
| Bet Type | Odds |
|---|---|
| NRFI | -120 |
| YRFI | +100 |
If neither team scores in the first inning, the NRFI bet wins.
If either team scores at least one run, the NRFI bet loses.
Because it only lasts one inning, NRFI and YRFI bets resolve very quickly, making them one of the most entertaining betting markets in baseball.
Why NRFI Bets Are So Popular
NRFI betting has exploded in popularity for a few reasons:
1. Quick Results
Unlike full-game wagers that take three hours to settle, NRFI bets are resolved after just six outs.
That makes them perfect for bettors who enjoy quick outcomes.
2. Pitching Matchups Matter More
The first inning always features starting pitchers versus the top of each MLB lineup.
That means the matchup between elite pitchers and opposing hitters often determines the outcome.
When two strong starting pitchers take the mound, NRFI odds often become a popular betting target.
3. Daily Betting Opportunities
With nearly every MLB game offering NRFI odds, bettors have multiple opportunities every day to find value.
During the regular season, there are typically 10–15 NRFI markets available each day.
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Key Factors When Betting NRFI
Successful NRFI bettors typically analyze several important factors before making a wager.
Starting Pitcher Performance
The most important factor is the starting pitcher’s first-inning performance.
Some pitchers dominate early in games, while others struggle out of the gate.
Pitchers with strong command and swing-and-miss stuff often excel in NRFI situations.
Examples of dominant starting pitchers in recent seasons include:
- Gerrit Cole
- Corbin Burnes
- Max Fried
- Zac Gallen
When these types of pitchers face disciplined lineups, NRFI odds often tighten significantly.
Top of the Lineup Strength
The first inning features the top three hitters in each lineup, which often includes a team’s most dangerous offensive players.
Lineups loaded with power hitters increase the probability of a YRFI outcome, while weaker or contact-oriented lineups often favor NRFI bets.
Ballpark Factors
Certain ballpark factors significantly increase scoring probability.
Stadiums with hitter-friendly environments can impact NRFI outcomes, particularly during warmer weather months when the ball carries farther.
Conversely, pitcher-friendly parks often favor NRFI bets.
Weather Conditions
Weather can play a surprisingly important role in NRFI betting.
Key factors include:
- Wind direction
- Temperature
- Humidity
Warm temperatures and strong winds blowing out to the outfield can increase scoring probability early in games.
NRFI vs. YRFI Strategy
Many bettors prefer to focus strictly on NRFI wagers, but the opposite bet, YRFI, can also present opportunities.
NRFI scenarios
NRFI bets often make sense when:
- Two strong starting pitchers face each other
- Both teams struggle to score early
- The ballpark favors pitchers
YRFI scenarios
YRFI bets can offer value when:
- Struggling pitchers take the mound
- Powerful offenses face weak starters
- Hitter-friendly ballparks are involved
- One name, Aaron Nola.
Understanding these matchup dynamics is critical when evaluating NRFI picks today.
NRFI & YRFI Frequently Asked Questions
NRFI stands for “No Run First Inning.” It’s a wager that neither team will score during the top or bottom of the 1st inning. If the inning ends 0-0, the NRFI bet wins. If either team scores even a single run before the 2nd inning begins, it loses.
YRFI means “Yes Run First Inning”, the opposite side of the NRFI bet. The moment either team scores a run in the 1st inning, YRFI wins. Unlike NRFI, YRFI can resolve on the very first pitch of the game if the leadoff hitter clears the bases.
They’re two sides of the same market. NRFI wins if the 1st inning ends scoreless; YRFI wins if any run is scored by either team. Sportsbooks typically price NRFI as the favorite (around -110 to -140) because most MLB 1st innings are scoreless, which makes YRFI the plus-money underdog side.
NRFI can be profitable when you focus on matchups rather than price alone. The best spots are strong starting pitchers with good first-inning splits facing lineups that struggle early, especially in pitcher-friendly parks or cold/still weather. Blindly betting NRFI every night won’t beat the juice — targeted selections based on pitching, lineups, and conditions will.
Most NRFI markets price between -110 and -140, depending on the starting pitching matchup. When two elite starters face off, NRFI can climb to -160 or higher. YRFI usually sits between +100 and +130. Lines vary 10-15 cents across books, so shopping odds before placing a bet matters.
Focus on four inputs: (1) each starting pitcher’s first-inning performance and career NRFI %, (2) the top three hitters in each lineup, (3) ballpark run environment, and (4) weather, especially wind direction and temperature. CLEATZ scores every MLB game daily on these variables and surfaces the strongest NRFI and YRFI picks on this page.
The most reliable NRFI pitchers have strong command, high first-pitch strike rates, and low walk rates, they get quick outs and keep leadoff hitters off base. Look for starters with career NRFI percentages above 65-70% and stable season splits. Each game card on this page shows Career NRFI %, 2026 NRFI %, and opponent offensive NRFI % so you can evaluate both sides of the matchup.
Team NRFI records depend on both pitching staff quality and how often the top of the lineup goes down in order. The full 2026 NRFI/YRFI team record table is on this page below today’s picks, sorted by NRFI win percentage with home/away splits and current streaks.
Four factors drive 1st-inning scoring: starting pitcher quality, top-of-lineup strength, ballpark run environment, and weather (especially wind blowing out to the outfield and warm temperatures). Coors Field, Great American Ballpark, and Fenway Park tilt toward YRFI in hot weather. Pitcher-friendly parks like Oracle Park and Tropicana Field favor NRFI.
Yes. NRFI parlays are popular because each leg resolves quickly, and combining several -120 favorites into a 3- or 4-leg parlay can produce plus-money payouts. Most sportsbooks also offer pre-built NRFI same-game and cross-game parlays. Just remember the juice compounds, accuracy matters more than leg count.
NRFI markets are available at every major US sportsbook including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars, as well as prediction markets like Kalshi, Polymarket, and Novig. Odds vary noticeably between books, so comparing prices before placing a bet matters, especially on heavy favorites where the juice is steepest.
If the 1st inning completes before a delay or shortened game, the bet stands based on the 1st-inning result. If the game is postponed before the 1st inning finishes, most sportsbooks void the wager and refund the stake. Rules vary slightly by book, so check your sportsbook’s specific MLB settlement terms.
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Where to Bet NRFI
NRFI markets are widely available at most major sportsbooks and prediction markets including:
- DraftKings
- Rebet
- FanDuel
- BetMGM
- Novig Promo Code
- Kalshi Promo Code
- Polymarket Promo Code
Odds typically range from -110 to -130 for NRFI & YRFI bets, depending on the pitching matchup.
When two elite pitchers face off, the NRFI price may climb even higher.
Jason Ziernicki is the founder of CLEATZ, where he analyzes sports betting data, public betting percentages, alt-line trends, and prediction markets across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and college sports.
He is based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he routinely trades on Kalshi each month, hoping to win on weather markets like snowfall, as well as sports and politics.
His work focuses on turning sportsbook data and betting market trends into actionable insights for bettors/traders.
