Today's NRFI Selections: Wheeler Remains Hitless

April 23 MLB Picks: Two NRFI Plays to Consider

It's a promising day for baseball, and I've got my eyes on two NRFI (No Run in the First Inning) bets for tonight's MLB action - the Phillies-Mets and Rockies-Royals games.

NRFI Bet: Phillies vs. Mets (-125 at Sportsbook)

Phillies vs Mets Details - Game Time: 1:10 p.m. ET

The heated NL East battle pits Zack Wheeler against David Peterson. Wheeler's stealing the show this season with a perfect first-inning record, keeping batters hitless in a whopping 15 at-bats across five starts. Meanwhile, the Mets are struggling in the first inning, batting a dismal .242. With Wheeler's 5-0 NRFI record, it's hard to see any chances of a quick score.

Peterson is no slouch, either, boasting an impressive 3-1 NRFI record. He's been solid against Phillies stars like Kyle Schwarber, who's just 2-for-19 lifetime vs Peterson. This matchup looks ripe for a scoreless opening frame.

NRFI Bet: Rockies vs. Royals (-115 at Sportsbook)

Rockies vs Royals Details - Game Time: 7:40 p.m. ET

German Marquez and Michael Lorenzen lead this interleague showdown. Marquez has been consistent, often holding opponents scoreless in the first inning despite his team's struggles. With an NRFI record of 3-1, he's in good form, and active Royals hitters have managed only a disappointing .527 OPS against him. Lorenzen is equally adept, surrendering no first-inning runs over four innings while limiting opponents to a paltry .200 average.

The Rockies are having a rough time at the plate, batting below .200 as a team. Lorenzen's 4-0 NRFI record suggests he could be in for another strong showing. With two reliable pitchers and lethargic offenses, this matchup looks like a prime candidate for an NRFI bet.

NRFI Strategy

To successfully land NRFI bets, consider the following factors:

Starting Pitchers' Early Innings Performance: Focus on those who effectively stifle opponents early.
Team Batting Trends: Teams with weaker offenses or those struggling in the first inning are more likely to result in NRFI outcomes.
Previous Matchups and Head-to-Head Trends: Past performances can indicate how teams fare against specific opponents in early innings.

By taking these aspects into account, you'll be well on your way to making informed NRFI picks.

Given the performance of Zack Wheeler and David Peterson, the first inning of the Phillies-Mets game could potentially be a scoreless frame, considering Wheeler's perfect 15 at-bat record in the first inning and Peterson's impressive 3-1 NRFI record.
Based on their respective performances and the teams' batting struggles, the opening innings of both the Phillies-Mets and Rockies-Royals games could be low-scoring, making NRFI (No Run in the First Inning) bets a viable option.
In the Phillies-Mets game, Kyle Schwarber, a star player for the Phillies, might struggle against David Peterson, who has a history of limiting him in their past encounters.
The interleague matchup between the Rockies and Royals could present another strong candidate for an NRFI bet, as German Marquez and Michael Lorenzen have been consistent in limiting opponents in the first inning, with Marquez's 3-1 NRFI record and Lorenzen's 4-0 NRFI record.