If you aren’t interested in a bet that will take 9 innings, one of the shortest-lasting bets you can make in an MLB game is if a run will be scored in the first inning. All it takes is 6 outs to glory, and one swing of the bat can make or break your bet. There is also a lot of value in these bets because the odds are usually very well-priced, and if you’re not a fan of sweating out your bets for 3 hours then this one will take only about 15 minutes to win or lose. Before we dive in, don’t forget to check out our free MLB picks for every game on Wednesday.
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Cincinnati Reds vs Atlanta Braves: NRFI (-125)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Two of the hardest-throwing starting pitchers in baseball will face off on Wednesday night. Since coming into the league, Hunter Greene has been lighting up the radar gun with triple-digits in each start. His high-velocity fastball has helped him earn a career 31% strikeout rate, but it’s also helped him become an excellent pitcher in the first inning. In the first frame last year, Greene allowed just a .205 batting average with a 49.4% strikeout rate. His opening frame success continued into his 2 starts this season, as Greene has allowed only 1 hit while striking out 5 of the 8 batters he has faced.
Spencer Strider was a NRFI bettor’s dream last season. Last season, opponents hit just .143 with a 51.4% strikeout rate against the Braves starter in the first inning. Strider has shown that although it may be a new season, his opening frame success has not changed. Through 2 starts this season, Strider has not allowed a hit in the first inning and has struck out 4 of the 6 batters he has faced. These 2 pitchers have been incredible in the first inning this season, and at a reasonable price, I’m backing the NRFI in Atlanta.
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants: NRFI (-136)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
The Giants at home was the most profitable NRFI spot in baseball last season. The NRFI cashed in 64% of San Francisco’s home games, and that trend stayed true in their first home series of the year. All 3 games against the Royals featured a scoreless first inning, but that shifted when the Dodgers came to town. Although there has been a score in the first inning in both games so far this series, I’m expecting that to change on Wednesday. Alex Cobb will start for the Giants, and the veteran has been excellent in the first inning through 2 starts. Opponents are 1-for-8 with 3 strikeout rates against Cobb in the first frame.
Making his 3rd start of the season will be the Dodgers legend, Clayton Kershaw. The lefty had an excellent season debut followed by a less-than-stellar outing in Arizona, but for this bet, we just need him to be solid for one inning. That shouldn’t be much to ask from Kershaw, who allowed just a .162 batting average in the first frame last season. However, the biggest advantage Kershaw has against the Giants is being left-handed. San Francisco has been atrocious against southpaws this season, as they rank 29th in batting average and OPS against left-handed pitching. I’m expecting a scoreless opening frame in San Francisco.
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