Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Odds for Thursday, June 23rd (2022)

Jun 23, 2022 - 1:54 PM

We’re slated for 10 games on this getaway day in Major League Baseball. Action gets underway at 12:10 p.m. ET from Miami as the Marlins look to complete a three-game sweep over the visiting Rockies. Other notable matchups include the Giants taking on the Braves, the Cardinals wrapping up a four-game set with the Brewers, and the Astros and Yankees opening up a four-game series in the Bronx.

I’ve narrowed in on these three No Runs First Inning (NRFI) wagers for today’s 10-game schedule: 

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics

The Mariners look to break out the brooms against the Athletics this afternoon as they send Robbie Ray to the bump. The A’s will try to salvage a game in the series, and they’ll be relying on Frankie Montas to get them back in the win column. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:37 p.m. ET from Oakland Coliseum in this A.L. West showdown.

Ray may finally be putting it all together for the Mariners. The left-hander has only allowed one earned run over his last two starts (14.0 IP), and he’s struck out 14 batters over that span. Ray enters with a 6-6 record with a 4.25 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 14 starts in 2022. He recently limited the Angels to one earned run on three hits and a walk over 7.0 innings of work.

Montas continues to keep his trade value high as he enters with a 3.53 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 14 starts. The right-hander was touched up for three earned runs on 10 hits and three walks over 5.0 innings against the Royals last time. 

This is the juiciest play (-162) on the NRFI board, and rightfully so. These are two of the bigger names in starting pitching, and they’ve been throwing relatively well this season. Ray gets to face literally the worst offense in baseball today as Oakland enters ranked dead last in both team batting average (.209) and OPS (.600). Look for him to carve up the Athletics this afternoon. As for Montas, he’ll be squaring off against a bottom-third offense as well. The M’s are 23rd in batting average (.235) and 19th in OPS (.703). I’m expecting a clean first frame in this one. 

Bet: Mariners at Athletics NRFI (-162 via FanDuel)

Baltimore Orioles vs. Chicago White Sox

The O’s make the trip to Chicago, where they’ll open up a four-game set with the White Sox tonight. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET from Guaranteed Rate Field with a pitching matchup featuring Dean Kremer and Johnny Cueto. 

Kremer has made three starts this season for the Orioles and enters with a 1-1 record over 15.1 innings pitched. The right-hander has posted a 2.35 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 10 punchouts. Most recently, the 26-year-old faced the Rays and held them scoreless over 6.0 innings. He allowed five hits and a walk while striking out five in the no-decision effort. 

Cueto is certainly earning his keep in the White Sox rotation this season. The right-handed veteran enters with just a 1-3 record, but he’s posted a 2.95 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over seven starts this year. Most recently, he picked up a win over the Astros in an outing where he shut them down over 7.0 innings and allowed just two hits and two walks. 

These starting pitchers are in great form right now. Cueto’s coming off a scoreless outing against one of the best offenses in baseball in the Astros, so he shouldn’t struggle against this lowly O’s offense. As for Kremer, he’s only allowed one earned run over his last two starts (11.0 IP). While the Sox bats are starting to heat up, I think Kremer has the skill to corral them in the bottom of the 1st. Let’s ride with NRFI here. 

Bet: Orioles at White Sox NRFI (-104 via FanDuel)

Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Diego Padres 

The Fightin’ Phils gear up for a four-game series with the Padres starting tonight at Petco Park. N.L. Cy Young frontrunner Joe Musgrove gets the nod for the Friars while the Phillies counter with Ranger Suarez. 

Suarez has been serviceable for the Phillies this season over 13 starts. The southpaw enters with a 5-4 record to go along with a 4.43 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 2022. Most recently, he earned a win against the Nationals, going 5.2 innings and allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks. 

Musgrove has been a stud for the Padres this season. He enters with an 8-0 record, 1.59 ERA (2nd) and 0.92 WHIP (6th) over 12 starts. The right-hander has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball and is coming off of another dominant outing on Thursday night. Musgrove limited the Cubs to a pair of earned runs on five hits and a walk over 7.0 innings. He struck out a season-high nine batters in the winning effort. 

We shouldn’t worry about Musgrove in this one, as he’s been on fire this season. He’s posted a 0.86 ERA over three starts this month and recorded 23 strikeouts over 21.0 innings of work. As for Suarez, he’s a toss-up in this spot, but he’s limited the Padres lineup to 3-16 in his career, and he’s only allowed one extra-base hit (a double). Eric Hosmer, Jake Cronenworth, and Manny Machado are a combined 1-6 against Suarez. Let’s ride with NRFI to round out our card tonight. 

Bet: Phillies at Padres NRFI (-142 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 strategies — like Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread — to learn more.

The post Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Odds for Thursday, June 23rd (2022) appeared first on BettingPros.