The Best NRFI/YRFI Bets Today (No Runs First Inning/Yes Runs First Innings) - Thursday (9/22): Odds, Picks and Analysis

NRFI (No Runs First Inning) bets, pronounced "ner-fee," are sweeping in popularity, offering bettors nail-biting action straight from the first pitch. 

Still not sure what an NRFI is? Check out our detailed NRFI guide for the lowdown on NRFIs and how to capitalize on them.

We focus on today’s best NRFI bet. 

Today's Best NRFI/YRFI Bets

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Los Angeles Dodgers

Thursday, September 22 at 10:10 pm ET

The Diamondbacks and Dodgers play the final game of a five-game series.

Game box:

Arizona Diamondbacks (70-80) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (103-46)

Game Info: Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 10:10 pm (Dodger Stadium)

Starting pitchers: Zac Gallen (12-3, 2.52) vs. Julio Urias (17-7, 2.27)

Diamondback vs Dodgers - Best Betting Odds:

Moneyline: Arizona Diamondbacks (+185 with Caesars) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (-210 with BetRivers)

Run line: Arizona Diamondbacks +1.5 (-125 with Caesars) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+108 with BetRivers)

Total: Under 7 Runs (-105 with Caesars) vs. Over 7 Runs (-110 with Caesars)

Check out our betting odds page for the best real-time best odds for MLB games.

Best NRFI Bet Today:

Rationale: With a powerful offensive team like the Dodgers, there is always the possibility of runs being scored in the first inning. But the odds of that happening are drastically reduced with Gallen on the mound for Arizona. He’s arguably been the best pitcher in baseball during the second half of the season, posting a 1.15 ERA in his 11 starts since the all-star break. Not surprisingly, Gallen has been lights-out in the first inning of games, allowing just four first-inning runs over 28 starts, producing a 1.29 ERA. 

On the other side, the Diamondbacks have been shut out three times in their last 11 games, so their offense is hardly firing on all cylinders right now. It won’t be any easier with Urias on the mound for the Dodgers. He’s not been as good as Gallen in the first inning this year, but he’s still allowed just nine earned runs for a 2.98 ERA. He’s also 9-1 with a 1.31 ERA since the all-star break. Pitchers don’t put up those types of numbers by giving up runs in the first inning of games.

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Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies

Thursday, September 22 at 7:15 pm ET

The Braves and Phillies begin a four-game series on Thursday, with Atlanta already clinching a playoff spot and the Phillies hoping to do the same.

Game box:

Atlanta Braves (93-56) vs Philadelphia Phillies (81-67)

Game Info: Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 7:15 pm (Citizens Bank Park)

Starting pitchers: Max Fried (13-6) (2.52) vs Ranger Suarez (9-5) (3.53)

Braves vs Phillies - Best Betting odds:

Moneyline: Atlanta Braves (-139 with FanDuel) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (+126 with FanDuel)

Run line: Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+118 with BetRivers) vs. Philadelphia Phillies +1.5 (-135 with Caesars)

Total: Under 7.5 Runs (-114 with FanDuel) vs. Over 7.5 Runs (+100 with Caesars)

Check out our betting odds screen to get real-time best odds for MLB games.

Best NRFI/YRFI Bet Today:

Rationale: The Braves are an excellent candidate to score a first-inning run on Thursday. They had a winning streak snapped on Wednesday but should be eager to bounce back, knowing they are still just one game behind the Mets. Plus, leadoff hitter Ronald Acuna is batting .304 with an OPS of 1.056 over his last six games. He’s also 3 for 10 in his career against Philadelphia starter Ranger Suarez. While Suarez allowed just one run over six innings when he faced the Braves last Friday, the Atlanta lineup getting a look at him should help prepare them to face him again on Thursday and enable them to jump on him early.

The same logic applies to Fried facing the Philadelphia lineup for the second time in less than a week. Fried gave up just two runs over six innings, but the Phillies should be a little more comfortable facing him. Also, the first few hitters in Philly’s lineup - Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Bryce Harper - are all home run threats, especially in a hitter-friendly ballpark like Citizens Bank Park. In fact, both Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, who will likely bat fourth, have both homered three times each in the team’s last six games, so both will be a threat to go deep in the first inning.