Caleb Wilfinger
The MLB season continues on Monday, and the 2025 campaign has already produced a lot of exciting action on the diamond. While there are plenty of ways to wager on all of the action this season, one of the quickest bets you can make is if a run will be scored in the first inning — YRFI or NRFI. There is still value to be had in this market, so it’s no wonder that these bets have become very popular over time. If you don’t like sweating out your wagers for 3 hours, this one will take only about 15 minutes.
The NRFI/YRFI market has been profitable for our MLB handicapping team this season, so let’s keep that momentum going! Here is today’s MLB YRFI/NRFI best bet, and don’t forget to check out our MLB picks for EVERY GAME today.
YRFI/NRFI best bet: Twins vs Dodgers – NRFI (+100)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -110.
Our first best bet in the YRFI/NRFI market comes in Los Angeles, where the reeling Dodgers will host the Minnesota Twins at Dodger Stadium. While I could certainly see the Dodgers offense breaking out against against Twins starter David Festa (5.25 ERA, 4.75 xERA) in a series they really need to win, I’m still not confident in Los Angeles breaking out of this extended slump just yet, especially since this team has given me no reason to expect an offensive explosion in the first inning or two. With that in mind, I’m projecting a lower-scoring affair in Monday’s series opener, particularly in the first inning.
When the Dodgers send out Shohei Ohtani to the mound, good things are typically in store for Los Angeles. After all, Ohtani has been dominant this season, to the tune of a 1.00 ERA and an xBA of just .149 on the year. Furthermore, Ohtani is coming off a pair of outstanding showings against the likes of the Astros and Giants. It’s fair to suggest that Minnesota’s offense is a major step down in class, and the Dodgers 2-way superstar will be pitching at home in this contest as well. Given that has enjoyed success against nearly every lineup he’s seen this season, I’m expecting another strong outing from Ohtani on Monday.
With our experts on a 25-10 run, make sure you check out their MLB best bets for today
YRFI/NRFI best bet: Orioles vs Guardians – YRFI (-104)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -110.
For my second best bet in this market on Monday, let’s roll with the YRFI in Cleveland between the Orioles and Guardians. I’ve already faded Baltimore starter Tomoyuki Sugano on multiple occasions this season, and this wager is another way to fade the struggling right-hander on the road in this spot. After all, Sugano is one of the worst pitchers in the American League, posting a whopping 5.80 xERA, to go along with an abysmal 14% strikeout rate and .305 opponent expected batting average. He should struggle early on once again in the series opener against a Cleveland offense that has tallied 34 runs over its last 6 contests.
As for the hosts, Cleveland is sending Tanner Bibee to the mound, and while Bibee is due for some positive regression based on his advanced metrics, he has surrendered 11 earned runs over his last 3 outings. While the Orioles don’t have an elite offense by any means, Baltimore is still competent enough at the dish to make Bibee work and potentially scratch across an early run against the young right-hander. I’ll take the YRFI in Cleveland on Monday.
