NRFI Today: MLB NRFI Picks, Predictions, Best Bets for Friday, September 18, 2026

Today's Top NRFI Picks at a Glance

• Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds NRFI
• Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals 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.

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

Best NRFI Picks and Predictions for Today

Cubs at Reds NRFI (-138)

The combination of Clay Holmes and Chase Burns makes Chicago Cubs-Cincinnati Reds one of the most appealing NRFI spots on Friday.

Burns has put together an outstanding sophomore season, recording a 2.80 ERA, 3.28 xERA and 29.4% strikeout rate across 151 1/3 innings. He's also surrendered only 0.95 home runs per nine innings. Those are impressive numbers considering his home stadium is hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.

Holmes doesn't offer Burns' strikeout upside, but his profile is well suited to getting through an inning without allowing a run. Holmes owns a 2.85 ERA and has permitted only 0.59 homers per nine innings. His calling card continues to be keeping the ball on the ground as he's generated a massive 60.3% ground-ball rate in 2026.

That ability to avoid home runs is particularly valuable in Cincinnati, and Burns gives us an excellent pitcher on the other side. Despite the dangerous hitting environment, the starting-pitcher matchup makes the NRFI a solid bet.

Nationals at Cardinals NRFI (-120)

Cade Cavalli's breakout season gives us another attractive NRFI opportunity.

Through 31 starts, Cavalli has pitched to a 3.12 ERA and 1.17 WHIP while piling up 194 strikeouts in 164 2/3 innings. His Statcast profile backs up much of that success, as he's produced a 3.71 xERA, 28.2% strikeout rate and 7.0% walk rate. He's also limited opponents to a .233 expected batting average.

Kyle Leahy is a little less convincing from an underlying-metrics perspective, but his surface-level production has been strong. He's posted a 3.33 ERA through 135 innings, pairing a 22.5% strikeout rate with an excellent 6.7% walk rate. He's also allowed fewer than one homer per nine innings (0.93).

There is some regression risk in Leahy's overall profile — his 4.65 xERA is significantly higher than his actual ERA. For an NRFI, however, we're asking him to navigate the Washington Nationals‘ lineup only once at the top of the game. Combined with Cavalli's excellent 2026 campaign, that makes the first-inning under worth considering.

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.

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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.