Best NRFI Bets Today, April 21

Houston Astros vs Atlanta Braves - Hunter Brown (R) vs Bryce Elder (R)

Under 0.5 (-115 at DraftKings)

In our first NRFI bet of the day in Major League Baseball, we will bank on a scoreless first inning between the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves. Both teams are sending starting pitching to the mound that have been solid so far, with Hunter Brown and Bryce Elder getting the start for their respective teams. Here, we expect them to continue to deliver at a high level starting with a scoreless first inning.

Brown has gone 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA so far for the Braves, while Elder is 2-0 with a 1.53 ERA. Both have allowed runs in just one of their three starts so far this season, and they should shut their opponents down to start this game. Brown has also been good at racking up strikeouts early this season, earning at least five in each of his three starts on the year.

The Houston lineup is still at less than 100% as well, with Jose Altuve still missing time due to an injury that he sustained before the start of the season. That should help the Braves hold Houston scoreless in the top of the first inning. With Atlanta being held scoreless in their last outing against the San Diego Padres, their offense will also be held in check en route to a successful NRFI wager.

Boston Red Sox vs Milwaukee Brewers - Nick Pivetta (R) vs Freddy Peralta (R)

Over 0.5 (-115 at FanDuel)

In our second first-inning total wager for Friday, we will take at least a run to cross the plate in the matchup between the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. A couple of struggling starting pitchers will take the mound in this game, as Nick Pivetta leads the Red Sox into this game against Freddy Peralta of the Brewers. Both of these pitchers allowed at least five runs in their last start, and they should allow at least one early run in this contest.

In general, the Red Sox have been vulnerable to allowing runs at all times this season. They are one of just eight teams that have given up over 100 runs so far this season. Here, they face a Brewers team that is tied for third in run differential in Major League Baseball entering Friday’s games, and the Brewers should be able to put some runs on the board in the early stages at home.

Boston has seen quite a few runs in each of their last two games, inspiring confidence that a run will be scored early in this game as well. At least one team has scored into double digits in each of Boston’s last two games, with the Twins scoring 10 runs on Wednesday and the Red Sox scoring 11 on Thursday. Another high-scoring start will be in the cards in Milwaukee to start this weekend's series.

Kansas City Royals vs Los Angeles Angels - Taylor Clarke (R) vs Shohei Ohtani (R)

Under 0.5 (-115 at DraftKings)

In our final NRFI pick of the day, we will take a scoreless first inning between the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angels. Shohei Ohtani is on the mound for the Angels, which means that the Royals should be held in check in the first inning. Kansas City, meanwhile, is on a bullpen day, which could help them to slow down an Angels team that traveled in from New York the day before this contest.

Ohtani’s numbers so far this season have been simply unreal, as he enters this game with a 2-0 record and a 0.86 ERA. He has struck out 27 batters in 21 innings of work and has allowed just two runs in his four starts thus far. The Royals are unlikely to score in the first inning of play as a result of Ohtani’s unbelievable pitching abilities.

On the other side of things, reliever Taylor Clarke appears set to take the ball in the first inning for the Royals. He has struggled early this season, posting an ERA of 6.75, but his outings this season have been feast or famine, and we will bank on the former in this scenario. Clarke has held opponents scoreless in four of his seven appearances this season for the Royals, and he is all that separates us from a scoreless first inning in this Friday night matchup in Anaheim.

Catch More of our Daily MLB Picks

• Best MLB Picks Today, April 21