The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees renew their rivalry Friday, and they have a couple of hurlers capable of keeping it quiet in the first. The game between the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays may feature the best pitching matchup of the night as we go for another NRFI. The Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs are destined to score runs aplenty and cash a YRFI.
Friday’s action begins at 2:20 p.m. ET, and it kicks off with one of our featured matchups. Be sure to get those wagers placed in time.
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change. DraftKings does not sponsor this content.
More MLB Predictions:
- Best MLB Home Run Prop Bet Predictions for Friday, Aug. 28
Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today
Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees NRFI (-140)
The Red Sox send lefty Patrick Sandoval to the hill at 1-2 with a 4.54 ERA through eight starts. He has been good in the first with a 3.38 ERA and 10 K’s in eight frames. The Yankees go with AL Cy Young contender RHP Cam Schlittler at 11-6 with a 2.16 ERA. He has been solid in the opening frame with a 3.00 ERA and 36 K’s in 27 frames.
San Diego Padres at Tampa Bay Rays NRFI (-110)
Friars RHP Casey Mize makes the start at 5-7 with a 3.44 ERA. He’s one of the best pitchers in baseball in the first inning with a 0.45 ERA, allowing just one earned run in 20 first frames. The Rays go with southpaw Shane McClanahan at 9-6 with a 3.10 ERA. He has been dominant in the first as well with a 2.05 ERA, a .175 batting average against, and 24 K’s in 22 frames.
Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs YRFI (-115)
The Reds go with RHP Rhett Lowder at 5-8 with a 5.13 ERA. He has been rough in the first with a 5.40 ERA. The Cubs send LHP David Peterson to the hill at 7-7 with a 5.17 ERA. He implodes in the first with a 6.35 ERA and a .300 batting average against. The wind will always be a factor at Wrigley Field, but this is a matchup to exploit for the YRFI.
What Do NRFI and YRFI Mean in Baseball?
The term NRFI indicates no runs scored in the first inning. Its opposite, YRFI, indicates yes, there will be a run in the first inning. It doesn’t matter if the run qualifies as an earned run or not. If a run crosses the plate in the first inning for either team, the wager loses for the NRFI side and wins for the YRFI side.
