The Best NRFI Bets Today (No Runs First Inning) - Tuesday (9/27): 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 two games for the best NRFI bets today.

Today's Best NRFI Bets

• St. Louis Cardinals @ Milwaukee Brewers - NRFI -120 with FanDuel
• Los Angeles Dodgers @ San Diego Padres - NRFI -112 on BetRivers

St. Louis Cardinals @ Milwaukee Brewers

Tuesday, September 27, at 7:40 pm ET

The St. Louis Cardinals travel to face the Milwaukee Brewers with their lead over Milwaukee at 6.5 games and their magic number for clinching the NL Central down to three.

Game box:

St. Louis Cardinals (89-65) @ Milwaukee Brewers (82-71)

Game Info: Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 7:40 pm (American Family Field)

Starting pitchers: Miles Mikolas (11-13, 3.35) vs. Adrian Hauser (6-9, 4.62)

Cardinals vs Brewers - Best Betting Odds:

Moneyline: St. Louis Cardinals (-106 with FanDuel) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (-108 with BetRivers)

Run line: St. Louis Cardinals  -1.5 (+158 with Caesars) vs. Milwaukee Brewers +1.5 (-182 with FanDuel)

Total: Under 8 Runs (-105 with Caesars) vs. Over 8 Runs (-106 with FanDuel)

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

Best NRFI Bet Today:

• NRFI -120 @ FanDuel

Rationale: This game has the feel of one that will be low-scoring, reducing the chances of any runs in the first inning. The St. Louis lineup comes in a little cold, scoring just three total runs on Saturday and Sunday in losses to the Dodgers before having Monday off. In fairness, the Cards got the better of Adrian Houser back in May, tagging him for eight runs (five earned) in four-plus innings. But Houser is fresh off six scoreless innings against the Mets and has allowed one run or less in four of his last five starts, so he’s in a groove and should start the game pitching confidently.

On the opposite side, Miles Mikolas could be a little more vulnerable after taking the loss in his last three starts. However, he still owns a 2.52 ERA in September. Mikolas also has good career numbers against most of the key figures in Milwaukee’s lineup. Christian Yelich and Willy Adames, who regularly hit at the top of Milwaukee’s order, are 5 for 34 (.147) and 3 for 12 (.250) in their careers against Mikolas, respectively. If those two don’t do the damage, it’ll be hard for the Brew Crew to push a run across the plate in the first inning.

Los Angeles Dodgers @ San Diego Padres

Tuesday, September 27, at 9:40 pm ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers begin a series with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday after wrapping up the best record in the National League.

Game box:

Los Angeles Dodgers (106-47) vs San Diego Padres (85-68)

Game Info: Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 9:40 pm (Petco Park)

Starting pitchers: Tyler Anderson (15-4) (2.52) vs Blake Snell 8-9) (3.62)

Dodgers vs Padres - Best Betting odds:

Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-120 with Caesars) vs. San Diego Padres (+108 with FanDuel)

Run line: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+138 with BetRivers) vs. San Diego Padres +1.5 (-160 with Caesars)

Total: Under 7.5 Runs (-118 with FanDuel) vs. Over 7.5 Runs (+100 with Caesars)

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

Best NRFI Bet Today:

• NRFI -112 with BetRivers

Rationale: With Tyler Anderson and Blake Snell starting this game, both teams could have difficulty generating offense. The Padres have scored 22 total runs in their last two games, but they did at Coors Field. Tyler Anderson hasn’t allowed an earned run over his previous two starts, covering 13 innings. He’s been as sharp in September as he’s been all season. The lefty also threw seven scoreless innings against the Padres in August.

Of course, Snell is not to be forgotten. He’s allowed one run or less in four of his last five starts. Granted, his one poor start during that stretch came against the Dodgers. But if Los Angeles is the only team with a decent chance of scoring in the first inning, that’s not enough to wager money on a first-inning run in this game. On top of that, Mookie Betts and Trea Turner, who typically bat at the top of the Los Angeles order, are batting .136 and .182, respectively, over their last seven games. If those two are struggling, it’s a narrow path to a first-inning run for the Dodgers.

Conclusion