Best NRFI Bets Today and MLB Picks Including Los Angeles Dodgers vs Miami Marlins Prediction

⭐ Luis Castillo vs Zack Littell: Under 0.5 Runs (-115) at Fanduel

The Rays present a conundrum for NRFI (No Runs First Inning) bets, boasting the third-highest NRFI percentage in the majors, yet also ranking fifth in first-inning runs. However, their Thursday clash with the Mariners seems ripe for a scoreless inning, especially with Zack Littell taking the mound. Littell has transitioned well from reliever to starter this season.

Facing the Rays is Luis Castillo, an elite pitcher who could stymie Tampa's lineup, potentially leading to a scoreless game for several innings. Despite a subpar outing against the Mets where he gave up five runs in five innings, Castillo holds the seventh-best ERA among starters at 3.19 and ranks second in WHIP at 1.03. He also performed well in the 14 innings before his Mets start, giving up just one run, and didn't allow any first-inning runs against the Mets, reducing his first-inning ERA to 3.21.

Littell, on the other hand, shines early on, sporting a 0.90 ERA in the first inning over his 10 starts. Although he tends to struggle in later innings, his background as a relief pitcher makes him effective in his initial inning. This makes a bet on a scoreless first inning between the Mariners and Rays on Thursday a sensible wager.

Best NRFI Bets: Luis Castillo vs Zack Littell: Under 0.5 Runs (-115)  at Fanduel

CLICK HERE to bet on the Mariners vs Rays match!

⭐ Ryan Pepiot vs Braxton Garrett: Under 0.5 Runs (-115) at BetMGM

Betting on a scoreless first inning in a Dodgers game is usually a risky move, given that Los Angeles sits second in MLB for first-inning runs. However, they've struggled to score early recently. On the flip side, the Marlins rank near the bottom, second to last in first-inning runs. Thursday's matchup between pitchers Ryan Pepiot for the Dodgers and Braxton Garrett for the Marlins adds further weight to a scoreless first inning bet.

Garrett has been a first-inning stalwart this season, contributing to Miami's league-leading 63% NRFI rate. The left-hander boasts a 2.77 first-inning ERA and recorded a 3.54 ERA across his five August starts. Although he did give up a first-inning run in his most recent outing, it's the only such instance in his last six starts. This includes a solid first inning against the Dodgers last month.

Meanwhile, Pepiot has impressed in his recent return to the Dodgers' rotation. Across three starts and 14 innings, he's allowed just two runs on eight hits. His debut start last month against the Marlins was promising, with one run conceded over five innings. Moreover, he's coming off a five-inning scoreless performance against the Diamondbacks and has yet to give up a first-inning run in any of his starts. Given these factors, a scoreless first inning between the Marlins and Dodgers appears to be a strong bet.

Best NRFI Bets: Ryan Pepiot vs Braxton Garrett: Under 0.5 Runs (-115)  at BetMGM

⭐ CLICK HERE to bet on the Dodgers vs Marlins match! ⭐

⭐ Eduardo Rodriguez vs Carlos Rodon: Under 0.5 Runs (-105) at DraftKings

The Yankees have won eight of their last nine, but that doesn't necessarily make them a strong bet to tally first-inning runs, especially against ace Eduardo Rodriguez. 

Both the Yankees and Tigers sit in the bottom half of the league in first-inning runs, ranked 20th and 21st respectively. Given that the Tigers have only managed four runs across the first two games of this series, they're not expected to change this trend when facing Carlos Rodon on Thursday.

Though this hasn't been Rodon's strongest season, partially due to an injury layoff until July, his first-inning 4.00 ERA across nine starts is still respectable. The left-hander had a 3.19 first-inning ERA last year and has recently shown a return to form, holding opponents scoreless in the first inning in five of his last six starts—a pattern likely to persist against the Tigers.

Rodriguez, on the other hand, owns a solid 3.00 first-inning ERA in his 21 starts this season. While he did concede a first-inning run to the Astros recently, it's the sole instance in his last five starts. Although some Yankees, like Aaron Judge, have struggled against Rodriguez—Judge has a .194 batting average in 31 career at-bats against him—it seems improbable that they will turn things around early. Both pitchers' records suggest a strong possibility of a scoreless opening inning.

Best NRFI Bets: Eduardo Rodriguez vs Carlos Rodon: Under 0.5 Runs (-105) at DraftKings

⭐ CLICK HERE to bet on the Astros vs Rangers match! ⭐