The Best NRFI Bet Today (No Runs First Inning/Yes Runs First Innings) - Monday (10/03): 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.

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 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

San Francisco Giants @ San Diego Padres

Monday, October 3, at 9:40 pm ET

The Giants and Padres open a three-game series against one another to close the regular season.

Game box:

San Francisco Giants (80-79) @ San Diego Padres (87-72)

Game Info: Monday, October 3, 2022, at 9:40 pm (Petco Park)

Starting pitchers: John Brebbia (6-2 3.14) vs. Joe Musgrove (10-3, 3.03)

Giants vs Padres - Best Betting Odds:

Moneyline: San Francisco Giants (+200 with PointsBet) vs. San Diego Padres (-225 with BetMGM)

Run line: San Francisco Giants +1.5 (-110 with Caesars) vs. San Diego Padres -1.5 (+100 with PointsBet)

Total: Under 7.5 Runs (-107 with PointsBet) vs. Over 7.5 Runs (-105 with BetMGM)

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

Best NRFI Bet Today:

  • NRFI -140 @ BetMGM

Rationale: With San Francisco’s John Brebbia serving primarily as a reliever this year, the Giants are using him as an opener in this game. He’s been effective in that role all season. Add the fact that the Padres have scored two runs or less in four of their last five games, and they aren’t likely to get off to a fast start tonight.

Meanwhile, the Padres will have Joe Musgrove on the mound. He has posted a 1.55 ERA in the first inning of games this season. More importantly, he’s allowed just one run over his last three starts, covering 16 innings during that span. Musgrove looks completely locked in late in the year and has already gotten a win in two of his three starts against the Giants this year. He’s poised for a good start on Monday and should be able to shut down San Francisco’s lineup in the first inning.

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Philadelphia Phillies @ Houston Astros

Monday, October 3, at 8:10 pm ET

The Philadelphia Phillies are still hoping to secure a Wild Card spot as they begin a series with the Houston Astros on Monday.

Game box:

Philadelphia Phillies (86-73) vs Houston Astros (104-55)

Game Info: Monday, October 3, 2022, at 8:10 pm (Minute Maid Park)

Starting pitchers: Aaron Nola (0-0) (1.93) vs Lance McCullers Jr. (9-3) (2.83)

Braves vs Athletics - Best Betting odds: 

Moneyline: Philadelphia Phillies (+105 with BetMGM) vs. Houston Astros (-120 with PointsBet)

Run line: Philadelphia Phillies +1.5 (-200 with BetMGM) vs. Houston Astros -1.5 (+170 with Caesars)

Total: Under 7.5 Runs (-115 with PointsBet) vs. Over 7.5 Runs (+100 with BetMGM)

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

Best NRFI Bet Today:

Rationale: Both teams are more than capable of striking quickly, with the Phillies being motivated to do so in their hunt for a Wild Card spot. However, the pitching matchup points to a scoreless first inning. For Houston, Lance McCullers Jr. has only made seven starts this season. But he’s yet to concede a first-inning run in those starts, allowing just four hits. Despite the Phillies beating up on the Nationals over the weekend, they may not be able to keep it going against McCullers, who has looked sharp when he’s been on the mound despite only making seven starts thus far in 2022.

On the other side, Aaron Nola has been dominant early in games this year, pitching to a 1.45 ERA in the first inning of his starts. He’s also racked up 35 strikeouts to just 23 hits in the first inning of his 31 starts in 2022. At the same time, the Astros have managed just 10 total runs in their last four games. The Houston lineup isn’t clicking right now, and Nola should use that to his advantage to get through the early innings without allowing a run.