Philadelphia Phillies 1B Bryce Harper has moved to the outfield as the team acquired reinforcements at the trade deadline, and he looks to power up against the Washington Nationals and cash a YRFI. The Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles have a couple of sneaky starters looking to cash an NRFI. The Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox look to pull up their stockings and keep the first inning clean for an NRFI.
There are a handful of day games Wednesday, but all three of our highlighted picks begin in the evening. The first starts at 6:35 p.m. ET, so there is plenty of time to get those bets in.
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change. DraftKings does not sponsor this content.
More MLB Predictions:
- Best MLB Player Prop Bet Predictions for Wednesday, Aug. 5
Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today
Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies YRFI (-150)
The Nats go with RHP Jake Irvin, who's making his second start off the 60-day IL, and he wasn't great in his return. He sits at 2-5 with a 5.56 ERA on the season. The first inning hasn't been any kinder to him with a 9.00 ERA. The Phils are starting RHP Andrew Painter, who's 1-8 with a 6.72 ERA on the season. His first-inning futility sparks an 8.31 ERA. Take the YRFI in this one.
Los Angeles Angels at Baltimore Orioles NRFI (-120)
Angels LHP Reid Detmers was a popular name at the trade deadline, but he stuck around with the Halos. Detmers is 3-7 with a 4.03 ERA. His first innings have been hit or miss, but he has kept 2 of the last 3 starts clean. He looks to trim down his first-inning ERA from 4.50 as he can breathe easier knowing where he's pitching the rest of the season. Orioles LHP Trevor Rogers is 6-7 with a 4.27 ERA, but it's his first-inning mastery that has us on the NRFI train. His ERA in the opening frame is 1.35.
Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox NRFI (-130)
RHP Sean Burke has been a bright spot for the White Sox at 7-5 with a 3.04 ERA. His first-inning ERA of 4.50 doesn't look great, but he has pitched scoreless first frames in five straight starts. The Red Sox go with RHP Sonny Gray at 13-2 with a 2.93 ERA. Gray has had his moments in the first, including a stretch when we were riding a YRFI streak. He has turned that around, though, and his first-inning ERA sits at 3.60.
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.
