NRFI Today: NRFI Picks, Predictions, Best Bets for Thursday, September 10, 2026

Today's Top NRFI Picks at a Glance

• Rangers vs. Mariners NRFI
• Pirates vs. White Sox 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

Rangers vs. Mariners NRFI (-192)

Rangers at Mariners, 4:10 p.m. ET

This is my favorite NRFI spot on Thursday's small slate, with Jacob deGrom and Logan Gilbert getting the ball at T-Mobile Park.

While deGrom's 3.96 ERA isn't quite up to the absurd standards he established earlier in his career, the underlying swing-and-miss numbers remain excellent. He's struck out 29.9% of hitters with just a 6.5% walk rate, and his 16.2% swinging-strike rate is among the best marks in baseball.

Gilbert gives us plenty to like on the other side. He's worked 165 innings with a 3.71 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, and his 26.6% strikeout rate is paired with an excellent 6.4% walk rate. Gilbert also owns a 13.6% swinging-strike rate, giving both starters the ability to escape the opening frame with a strikeout when necessary.

Add in the pitcher-friendly environment at T-Mobile Park, and Texas Rangers-Seattle Mariners is the first NRFI matchup I'd circle today even at these odds.

Pirates vs. White Sox NRFI (-148)

Pirates at White Sox, 7:40 p.m. ET

This one became a lot more appealing once the Chicago White Sox's pitching plans were clarified. The pitching probables are left-hander Hagen Smith opposite Jared Jones.

Smith has been electric in a relief role since reaching the majors. Through his first 16 innings, he's allowed just one earned run, good for a 0.56 ERA, while recording 23 strikeouts and surrendering only a .096 batting average. His strikeout rate sits at a massive 37.1%.

There is some risk with Smith because his 16.1% walk rate is extremely high, but the Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t exactly the kind of matchup that scares me away from an NRFI.

Jones is a little less dominant from a run-prevention standpoint, posting a 4.46 ERA over 78 2/3 innings, but his strikeout ability gives him significant upside in this market. He's fanned 27.6% of hitters with an 8.4% walk rate, and his 13.9% swinging-strike rate shows how difficult his arsenal can be to square up.

Neither starter is completely risk-free, but the swing-and-miss potential on both sides makes Pirates-White Sox an appealing night-game NRFI.

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.