Best NRFI Bets Today: Opening Day has Arrived

Opening Day is one of the best days on the sports calendar. Major League Baseball consists of a long season, but it garners a ton of attention at the beginning of the year. 

One of the best baseball bets is a NRFI, which is known as wagering no runs to be scored in the first inning.

Looking for more MLB betting insights? Check our selection of the Best MLB Home Run Props Today.

Best NRFI Bets for Thursday, March 26

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Pirates vs. Mets - Paul Skenes vs. Freddy Peralta (1:15 PM EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-166) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Opening Day always brings a different level of intensity, and this pitching matchup is built for a quiet start. Paul Skenes takes the ball for Pittsburgh, and his arsenal immediately puts hitters on the defensive. 

Skenes had the best ERA in the league last season at 1.97. He also was fourth in WHIP at 0.95. 

Skenes has shown the ability to dominate early in games, especially when he’s able to get ahead in the count. His presence alone should neutralize the top of the Mets’ order and limit any early traffic on the bases.

Freddy Peralta gets the nod for New York, and he’s more than capable of matching zeros in the opening frame. He isn’t as dominant as Skenes but he is still a tough pitcher. 

He’s historically been effective at limiting damage in the first inning, using his ability to miss bats to avoid big innings before they start.

Both lineups have talent, but it’s the first game of the season. The pressure will be high and the early start time should throw off routines in the first inning where we get zeros on the scoreboard.

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Tigers vs. Padres - Tarik Skubal vs. Nick Pivetta (4:10 PM EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-162) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Tarik Skubal has developed into one of the most reliable left-handers in the league, featuring a high-velocity fastball paired with a devastating changeup that keeps hitters off balance. Skubal went 13-6 with a 2.21 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP last season. 

The Padres are very aggressive, but Skubal can keep the lineup off balance. If Skubal is locating early, he should have no trouble generating quick outs in the first inning.

Nick Pivetta gets the start for San Diego, and while he can be volatile at times, his stuff is still elite. His fastball has takeoff, and he is an excellent locator. 

If Pivetta can get ahead in counts, he tends to gain a lot of confidence, which is critical for the NRFI. 

Both lineups bring power, but early-season timing is rarely perfect. Hitters are still adjusting to game speed coming off of Spring Training. 

With two starters capable of generating strikeouts and controlling the tempo early, this game sets up well for a scoreless first inning.

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Rangers vs. Phillies - Nathan Eovaldi vs. Christopher Sanchez (4:10 PM EST)

Under 0.5 Run (-162) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Nathan Eovaldi gets the ball for Texas, bringing a veteran presence and a power arsenal against one of the best lineups in the game. Despite the Phillies strong lineup, Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber can’t be trusted early in the season. 

Both stars struggled to find consistency at the plate during the World Baseball Classic, showing signs of timing issues against high-level pitching. That lack of rhythm can often carry into the early part of the MLB season, particularly in the first game against aces. 

Christopher Sánchez takes the mound for Philadelphia and he is one of the best pitchers at inducing weak contact. His sinker-heavy approach keeps the ball on the ground, which is ideal in the first inning when pitchers are focused on efficiency. 

The combination of Eovaldi and Sanchez is perfect for a successful NRFI.

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