YRFI/NRFI picks (Yes/No Run First Inning) are all the craze in baseball nowadays.
So, what do we get if we combine MLB Opening Day with some saucy first-inning bets? We get a very stimulating first few innings of Thursday baseball.
Follow along for two YRFI/NRFI picks for March 28:
Pick 1: Brewers vs Mets: Yes Run First Inning (+105)
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 1:10 pm ET
Unfortunately, MLB betting data isn't on our side for this one. But it's not against us, either. Here's what I mean
YRFI (2023 Data):
- Mets: 80-82
- Brewers: 81-81
Almost perfectly neutral. That said, there's a wee bit of information that makes me confident in this Opening Day bet. It comes from Brewers starter Freddy Peralta, who makes his first career opening start Thursday.
In his career, Peralta has always struggled in the first inning. Since his debut in 2018, the righty has allowed 67 first-inning runs in 98 games (6.17 ERA) and 1.9 HR/9. A run shouldn't be hard to find with some pop at the top of New York's order.
Pick 2: Pirates vs Marlins: No Run First Inning (-140)
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 4:10 pm ET
Not exactly an NLCS preview here, huh. The Pirates improved this winter and could hover around playoff territory in 2024, but that doesn't mean they're any good at scoring runs in the first inning.
In 2023, Pittsburgh either scored or allowed a first-inning run in just 77 of 162 games. On the other end, the Marlins were even quieter, scoring or allowing a first-inning run in 62 of 162 games. That was the lowest rate in MLB.
Expect a quiet first inning in this contest as hitters settle into their timing.
