NRFI Bets to Target on Monday 6/17/24

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 -- also knowns as a No Run First Inning (NRFI) bet.

On FanDuel Sportsbook's MLB odds, we can find NRFI odds listed as 1st Inning Over/Under 0.5 Runs odds under each MLB game.

Where can we find value in this unique prop market today?

Please note: lines and projections are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published.

Best NRFI Prop Bets

Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays

Under 1st Inning 0.5 Runs (-132)

Whenever the Toronto Blue Jays are on the slate, we'll have to consider taking the NRFI bet in their game. Besides logging the third-fewest runs (21) in the first inning this season, the Blue Jays are posting the third-worst wOBA (.251), third-worst wRC+ (61), and fourth-worst ISO (.110) in the opening frame.

Nick Pivetta -- who holds a 6-3 NRFI record in 2024 -- is producing a solid 3.49 xFIP, .227 BABIP, and 27.0% strikeout rate in the first inning. While Pivetta's strikeout rate could be nullified against a Toronto squad that has the fifth-lowest strikeout rate (19.2%) versus righties, the matchup is tough to ignore.

The Blue Jays are projected to have two righties hitting in the first inning, and Pivetta is putting together a 2.66 xFIP to right-handed batters compared to a 3.92 xFIP to left-handed batters. Toronto is also tallying the highest NRFI percentage (85.92%) in baseball.

On the other hand, Yusei Kikuchi draws a favorable matchup versus a Boston Red Sox team that is logging the highest strikeout rate (28.7%) against left-handed pitching. Kikuchi boasts a 10-4 NRFI record with a 3.85 xFIP and 26.6% strikeout rate in the opening inning.

Two of the first three hitters in Boston's projected lineup are posting a strikeout rate of 26.2% or higher against southpaws this year. With the Blue Jays falling flat in the first inning of games -- and the Red Sox struggling versus left-handed pitchers -- we should see no runs scored early in Monday's AL East clash.

San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs

Under 1st Inning 0.5 Runs (-104)

Wrigley Field is expected to be warm and winds are blowing out, which is why the impending showdown between the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs has -104 odds for a NRFI on Monday. That being said, we have two starting pitchers -- Jordan Hicks and Javier Assad -- who know how to take care of business to open games.

Hicks has a formidable 10-4 NRFI record through 14 starts, notching a 3.38 xFIP, 0.93 WHIP, and just a 3.8% walk rate in the first inning. Along with registering the seventh-highest strikeout rate (24.2%) against righties, the Cubs are in bad form with the seventh-worst wOBA (.287), seventh-worst wRC+ (86), and sixth-worst ISO (.121) in the last 14 days.

The Cubs have also failed to score in the first inning in six consecutive games.

Assad isn't far behind Hicks with 3.44 xFIP, 1.07 WHIP, and 24.6% strikeout rate in the opening inning of contests. The right-handed hurler for the Cubs has gone six straight starts of allowing zero earned runs in the first inning while the Giants are a below-average offense to begin games.

San Fran is sporting the seventh-worst wOBA (.276), seventh-worst wRC+ (81), and third-worst ISO (.109) in the first frame. While some would argue that the Giants have been woeful in the opening inning due to playing at a pitcher-friendly Oracle Park for their home games, they have the fifth-worst wOBA (.247), fifth-worst wRC+ (57), and worst ISO (.048) in the first inning during road contests.

Even though the Giants-Cubs bout holds the second-highest projected run total (10) on Monday, there were three total runs in Sunday's matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago at Wrigley in a hitter-friendly environment.

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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.