Caleb Wilfinger
The MLB season continues on Saturday, 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: Braves vs Reds – YRFI (+100)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -110.
Our first best bet in the YRFI/NRFI market comes at Bristol Motor Speedway, where we’ll get a unique contest between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds. Both offenses can be expected have an edge in this matchup over a pair of streaky starting pitchers in this unfamiliar environment. Cincinnati is sending out rookie Chase Burns, who has excellent stuff but he still has to adjust to the Major League level, as he currently holds a 6.26 ERA and 1.54 WHIP on the season. Atlanta’s offense hasn’t been consistent of late, but this is still a lineup that is full of veteran hitters that should be able to give the young right-hander some issues.
As for the Braves, Spencer Strider is getting the start on the other side, and given his 4.42 ERA when pitching away from Truist Park this season, I’m not convinced that he’ll get off to a great start. It certainly helps my handicap that Cincinnati’s offense has been executing at a high level, with the Reds averaging nearly 5 runs per game since the all-star break. Ultimately, I’ll back a hot start for both offenses and grab the YRFI at plus money.
Make sure you check out our MLB best bets for today
YRFI/NRFI best bet: Rangers vs Mariners – NRFI (-130)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -140.
For my second best bet in this market on Saturday, let’s roll with the NRFI in this crucial AL West tilt between the Rangers and Mariners. Seattle just won a thriller on Friday in walk-off fashion to increase its advantage in the AL wild-card race, but it’s the pitching for both sides that should hold an early advantage in this matchup. Merrill Kelly will make his first start in a Rangers uniform and he’s surrendered just 5 earned runs over his last 4 outings. Even with Seattle’s new revamped lineup, I wouldn’t expect Kelly to start out slow in this one, especially since he has excellent career numbers against the likes of Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriquez, Josh Naylor and others.
As for the hosts, Seattle will counter with Luis Castillo. While the longtime starter might not be an ace anymore, he still has the tools to churn out quality starts. Castillo holds a 3.19 ERA on the season, and he has allowed just 8 runs over his last 6 outings, most of which have gone at least 6 innings. The Rangers lineup has been in good form of late, but Castillo has had plenty of success against the top of this order in his career. That should continue on Saturday.
