NRFI Today: 3 NRFI Picks, Predictions, Best Bets for Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Today's Top NRFI Picks at a Glance

• Blue Jays at Guardians NRFI
• Marlins at Royals NRFI
• Yankees at Angels 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.

Best NRFI Picks and Predictions for Today

Blue Jays at Guardians NRFI (-162)

Starting Pitchers: Dylan Cease vs. Joey Cantillo

Dylan Cease is having an outstanding first season with the Toronto Blue Jays, entering Wednesday with a 9-5 record, a 2.33 ERA and 217 strikeouts across 150.1 innings. His 12.99 K/9 and 36.1% strikeout rate are both elite, while his 2.41 FIP suggests his underlying numbers are every bit as strong as his ERA.

The first inning has been particularly favorable for Cease, who owns a 2.52 first-inning ERA with 36 strikeouts in 25 innings.

The Cleveland Guardians counter with Joey Cantillo, who has posted a 3.70 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 136.1 innings. Cantillo has also been excellent in the opening frame, carrying a 2.89 first-inning ERA with 37 strikeouts in 28 innings.

This is the type of matchup that makes the NRFI market appealing. Both starters have the swing-and-miss ability to work around an occasional baserunner, and both have demonstrated that they are particularly effective early in games.

Marlins at Royals NRFI (-120)

Starting Pitchers: Eury Pérez vs. Noah Cameron

This matchup offers one of the better combinations of odds and pitcher form on the Wednesday slate.

Eury Pérez enters with a 7-10 record and a 3.44 ERA along with a 3.78 FIP and 16.2% K-BB rate. He has been especially good since the All-Star break, with opponents hitting just .179 against him during that span.

Noah Cameron has also been excellent over the last several weeks. The Kansas City Royals‘ lefty is 9-8 with a 3.98 ERA, 131 strikeouts and a 1.22 WHIP through 149.1 innings. In 25 starts, Cameron has posted a 1.44 first-inning ERA while holding opponents to a .163/.275/.221 slash line with no home runs in the opening frame.

The Miami Marlins have cashed NRFI in 42 of its 70 road games this season, a 60% rate. Pérez has also thrown a scoreless first inning in each of his last 10 starts.

With both pitchers entering in strong form, this is a good place to take advantage of relatively modest odds.

Yankees at Angels NRFI (-180)

Starting Pitchers: Cam Schlittler vs. Reid Detmers

Cam Schlittler has emerged as one of the best pitchers in the American League in 2026, entering this matchup at 12-6 with a 2.09 ERA. He has allowed opponents to hit just .197 while posting a 0.75 WHIP, and he has recorded 201 strikeouts on the season.

Schlittler has also been strong in the first inning, recording a 2.89 ERA and 38 strikeouts across 28 opening frames.

Reid Detmers provides a strong counterpart for the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels’ lefty is 4-8 with a 3.54 ERA and 174 strikeouts in 155 innings while his 10.10 K/9 ranks among the better marks in baseball. Detmers has a 3.67 first-inning ERA with 32 strikeouts in 27 innings.

The two starters have combined to produce a scoreless first inning in 45 of their 55 starts this season, an 82% rate. Neither pitcher has allowed a first-inning run in more than four weeks, while the Yankees have scored only 69 first-inning runs all season. Los Angeles has also struggled to generate offense at home, making this a strong spot to trust the pitchers early.

Check out the top home run picks and MLB props for today.

NRFI Betting — Frequently Asked Questions

What does NRFI mean in MLB 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.