2 Best MLB NRFI Picks for May 7, 2026: Best No Run First Inning Prop Bets, Odds & Analysis

Today's Top NRFI Picks at a Glance

• Rangers-Yankees NRFI
• Reds-Cubs 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.

What are the top home run picks for today?

NRFI Betting Picks for Today

NRFI Pick: Cubs vs. Reds

Shota Imanaga vs. Rhett Lowder (2:20 PM ET)

Shota Imanaga is in the midst of the hottest sustained stretch of his MLB career — a 2.40 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, and 9.9 K/9 through seven starts with a 4-game streak of allowing one run or fewer. His first-inning profile is especially dominant. Imanaga's four-seam fastball sits at peak velocity and maximum deception in the opening frame, before hitters have any game-day calibration against his release point or the movement profile of his splitter. His 87% NRFI rate over the past two seasons is among the best marks for any starting pitcher in the National League, and he has opened at least five of his seven 2026 starts with a scoreless first inning.

The Cincinnati Reds' first-inning offensive profile directly supports this pick. Cincinnati's leadoff hitters are batting .189 this season against left-handed pitching — one of the lowest marks in the league. The Reds have the ninth-lowest YRFI rate on the road in 2026 and are 0-6 on the road in their last six games, suggesting a depleted road club with no early-game momentum.

On the other side, Rhett Lowder starts for Cincinnati with a 5.09 ERA. His first-inning work has been generally cleaner than his overall numbers suggest — he generates early-count weak contact with his sinker-slider combination — and the Chicago Cubs' discipline-first approach typically works deep counts rather than ambushing pitchers in the first frame.

NRFI Pick: Yankees vs. Rangers

Paul Blackburn vs. MacKenzie Gore (12:36 PM ET)

Neither Paul Blackburn nor MacKenzie Gore is an elite ace, but the matchup dynamics for the opening inning point toward a scoreless first half-inning from both teams.

Blackburn enters with a 3.21 ERA and is a strike-thrower by profile — his sinker-heavy approach generates early-count ground balls rather than baserunners, and the New York Yankees' own lineup features patient hitters who work counts deeply rather than putting the ball in play aggressively against pitchers they haven't seen recently. The Yankees' top-of-order trio typically takes first pitches at a high rate, which minimizes the chances of an early Yankees first-inning hit parade.

On the Texas Rangers' side, MacKenzie Gore has struggled with command in 2026 with a 4.6 BB/9 rate, but his first-inning profile is separate from his full-game issues. Gore's walk problems tend to compound over the second, third, and fourth innings as pitch counts rise and his mechanics slide.

In the first inning — facing a cold lineup for the first time in the game — Gore's fastball velocity is at its peak and his slider and curveball play at their most deceptive. His first-inning FIP and ERA are meaningfully better than his overall numbers, and the Rangers' lineup checks in as one of the worst run-scoring teams in baseball right now. Texas has scored an MLB-worst 24 runs over their last 10 games. They rank third-lowest in runs per game on the season with a .689 team OPS and have a 25.71% YRFI rate — eighth-lowest in baseball.

The combination of Blackburn's strike-throwing profile in the opening frame, Gore's first-inning prowess, and Texas's anemic offensive production makes this a well-supported NRFI play.

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.

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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.