Best NRFI Bets Today: Continue to Back Paul Skenes

Monday’s slate features a highly anticipated matchup between two star level worthy young talents as Paul Skenes takes the mound to battle it out against Elly De La Cruz and the surging Cincinnati Reds offense. Both players have made a case to be the future face of baseball, now getting the chance to see who comes out on top in their first matchup against each other. For more information about the NRFI market and what factors into them being worth a wager, check out our breakdown of Daily No Run First Inning.

When looking to make a wager on an NRFI, it’s vital to acquire as many sportsbooks as you have available to you in order to line shop the very volatile market. Each sportsbook also has their own unique signup bonus, giving new users a headstart with their bankroll during the 2026 MLB season. The FanDuel sportsbook review highlights how they are giving new users $250 in bonus bets for simply creating an account and winning their first bet of at least $5 wagered. Be sure to wager the $5 on a heavy favorite immediately after signing up, maximizing your chances of winning and collecting the $250 in bonus bets.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates - Carson Spiers vs. Paul Skenes (6:40 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-115) at FanDuel

Since making his debut, the Paul Skenes hypetrain continues to build up steam as he strings together multiple dominant outings while leaping up the oddsboard for the NL Rookie of the Year award. He is still behind season long favorite Shota Imanaga, but the gap between the two has drastically narrowed. Skenes now gets the opportunity to potentially leap over Imanaga, facing off against a white hot Reds offense.

As noted earlier, this sets up for an exciting duel between the future face of pitching and one of the most electrifying young batters in the league in Elly De La Cruz. Punching out Elly is vital to cashing the NRFI, avoiding his blistering fast speed from being on the bases. To help illustrate how fast he really is, on Sunday he managed to run from second to home after the pitcher threw one in the dirt in an attempt to pick him off.

As for the Reds as a whole, they have steadily improved since a lackluster start to their season as they climb up to near league average in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage. While improved, production will be tough to come by against Skenes who has made quick work of opposing batters. Skenes takes the mound with an ERA of 2.43, a WHIP of 0.960, 26 Hits Allowed, and 9 Earned Runs Against.

As for the Pirates offense, it has been an equally abysmal start to the season for them as they continue to severely underwhelm. Like the Reds, the Pirates also rank well below league average across the same previously mentioned offensive metrics. They now face off against Carson Spiers who makes his first start this season as their rotational pitcher, taking the mound with an ERA of 2.33, a WHIP of 1.190.

Bet on Under 0.5 Run (-115) at FanDuel

San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs - Jordan Hicks vs. Javier Assad (8:05 PM, EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-105) at FanDuel

After the conclusion of our first NRFI, our next one gets underway when the San Francisco Giants battle it out against the Chicago Cubs. It’s been a roller coaster of a season for the Cubs, once rivaling the Milwaukee Brewers at the top of the board in the NL Central standings before dropping down to last place in the division. Luckily for them, the gap between first and fifth is more than manageable to cut down at 8.5 with plenty of season left to be played.

Should they want to start building momentum and climb out of the hole, then their defense will need to shut down the surging Giants offense. Javier Assad is certainly capable of doing just that as he has excelled at neutralizing opposing scoring opportunities. Even with a WHIP of 1.235, Assad has managed to keep opposing runners at bay by finishing out the outing as his ERA of 2.81 indicates.

As for the Giants, their defense has been a major thorn in their side as they currently rank dead last in Defensive Efficiency. Luckily for them, the Cubs offense has also severely underwhelmed as they rank well below league average in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage. Should Hicks avoid his tendency to walk opposing batters, then expect minimal scoring opportunities early in this contest as the Cubs struggle to make contact.

Bet on Under 0.5 Run (-105) at FanDuel

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