Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Odds for Saturday, May 14th (2022)

May 14, 2022 - 1:10 PM

There are 16 games set for today’s MLB schedule, including one doubleheader between the Angels and A’s in Oakland. Action gets underway this afternoon at 2:15 ET with the Giants taking on the Cardinals, while the final game on today’s slate is the Phillies vs. the Dodgers at 10:10 ET from Los Angeles. Below I’ve listed three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) wagers that I’ll be locking in for today.

Odds courtesy of FanDuel

San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals

The first game of the day sees an N.L. matchup between the Giants and Cardinals from Busch Stadium in St. Louis. San Francisco picked up the win in last night’s series opener by a final score of 8-2. The Cardinals will look to bounce back as they send Dakota Hudson to the bump while the Giants try to keep it rolling with Jakob Junis toeing the rubber this afternoon. 

Junis has thrown in three games this season, and he’s 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA and 0.87 WHIP over 15.0 innings of work. Most recently, the right-hander pitched against the Cardinals on May 8th, allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks over 5.0 innings. There were no runs in the 1st inning in the 4-3 win for the Giants. 

Dakota Hudson is 2-2 with a 3.56 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over six starts in 2022. The 27-year-old hurler started in the same May 8th game as Junis, lasting 4.2 innings and giving up three earned runs. There were five runs in the 2nd inning of that contest, but as I mentioned above, no runs scored in the 1st.

While it’s still early in the season, Jakub Junis seems to be putting it all together this year. He’s only allowed two earned over 15.0 innings of work this season. I like the right-hander to go scoreless through at least the first inning in this game. As for Hudson, his ERA comes down to 2.70 when throwing at Busch Stadium, and his last home start was a 6.0 inning outing where he shut out the Diamondbacks. I’m locking in NRFI between the Giants and Cardinals this afternoon.

Bet: Giants at Cardinals NRFI (-110 via FanDuel)

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Miami Marlins

The Brewers took game one of the series last night in Miami by a final score of 2-1. This afternoon, the Marlins will look to get back into the win column as they send Trevor Rogers to the hill. The Crew will go for their second straight win, giving Eric Lauer the nod in game two. The first pitch is set for 6:10 ET tonight from LoanDepot Park in Miami. 

Eric Lauer is off to an incredible start in 2022, posting a 3-0 record over five starts. The left-hander has a 1.82 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and he’s struck out 42 batters, which ranks 11th amongst Major League pitchers. Last time out, Lauer stifled the Braves over 6.1 innings, allowing just one earned run on two hits and three walks. 

Left-handed Trevor Rogers takes the ball for the Fish tonight at home. Rogers is just 1-4 and has a 5.00 ERA over six starts. However, he shut out the Padres over 5.0 innings last time out and allowed five hits and two walks. Aside from two rogue starts, Rogers has performed impressively this season. 

When facing left-handed pitching, both of these teams rank in the bottom third of the league in batting average this year. The Crew is hitting .221 against LHP (20th) while the Marlins are 27th at .212. Each of these starting pitchers is coming off of quality outings, so I’ll back NRFI in a matchup where each offense takes a step back against LHP. 

Bet: Brewers vs. Marlins NRFI (-158 via FanDuel)

Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks 

Game one of this three-game set between the Cubs and Dbacks went to Arizona last night with a 4-3 final. The rotation rolls over for Chicago as they send Kyle Hendricks to the bump while the Snakes go with Zac Gallen. 

Hendricks has had an up-and-down start to the 2022 campaign, but the veteran pitcher bounced back in a big way on Monday night. The right-hander threw 8.2 innings of scoreless baseball against the Padres. He earned the win and improved to 2-3 on the year with a 4.38 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. 

Zac Gallen has been phenomenal so far this season for Arizona, and he’s one of the main reasons for their success. The right-hander has made five starts in 2022, posting a 0.95 ERA and 0.71 WHIP over 28.1 innings of work. He last pitched on Sunday against the Rockies, surrendering no runs over 7.0 innings and giving up just five hits. 

With the form that each of these starting pitchers is in, I’m surprised that we’re only laying -120 juice with NRFI. Hendricks and Gallen are each coming off of scoreless outings, and I expect their respective streaks to continue through at least the 1st inning tonight. As for offensive production, the Cubs and Dbacks both rank in the bottom half this year. Chicago is hitting .235 as a team (16th), while the Diamondbacks are at .203 (29th). I’m expecting a clean first frame in game two tonight. 

Bet: Cubs at Diamondbacks NRFI (-120 via FanDuel)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts

Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our Sports Betting Strategy and Advice page is for you. You can get started with our 101 section — including 10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners — or head to more advanced strategy — like Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread — to learn more.

The post Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Odds for Saturday, May 14th (2022) appeared first on BettingPros.