Top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Odds for Thursday, June 30th (2022)

Jun 30, 2022 - 2:44 PM

Major League Baseball gets underway this afternoon at 1:10 p.m. ET as the Twins and Guardians wrap up a five-game series from Cleveland. They’ve split the first four games, and Minnesota still holds a 2.0-game lead over Cleveland in the division heading into today’s contest. Other notable games include the Braves looking to complete a three-game sweep against the Phillies while the Padres and Dodgers open up a four-game series in Los Angeles. The Dodgers currently hold a 1.5-game lead over the Friars in the division. 

Below I have my three top No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bets for today’s eight-game MLB schedule: 

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Guardians

The first pitch of this rare five-game rubber match is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET from Progressive Field with a pitching matchup featuring Chris Archer for the Twins and Shane Bieber for the Guardians. 

Archer has been a reliable option for Minnesota this season. The right-hander is 2-3 over 14 starts, with a 3.14 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Most recently, Archer threw against the Rockies on Saturday and held them scoreless over 5.0 innings. He allowed just one hit and a walk while striking out five in the winning effort. 

Bieber has been finding his footing recently and seems to be putting it all together. The 2020 Cy Young winner comes into today’s game with a 3-4 record with a 3.07 ERA (25th) and 1.16 WHIP (33rd) over 14 starts. Bieber last threw on Saturday against the Red Sox and recorded a quality start. He limited Boston to three earned runs on six hits and a pair of walks over 7.0 innings.

Both of these starters are in great form right now. Archer has made five starts this month and posted a 1.57 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. As for Bieber, he owns a 2.87 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over five starts in June. Archer also pitches better away from home this year, entering with a 2.76 road ERA over seven starts. Let’s ride with NRFI in this divisional matchup. 

Bet: Twins at Guardians NRFI (-113 via FanDuel)

Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies

The Braves are red hot and have shrunk the Mets’ divisional lead down to 3.0 games heading into today’s matchup with the Phillies. Atlanta has an opportunity to pick up another half-game this evening, and they’ll turn to Ian Anderson to help guide them there. As for the Phillies, they’ll go with Aaron Nola as they try to avoid the three-game sweep. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. 

Anderson has had an up-and-down season in 2022 as he enters with a 6-4 record, 4.60 ERA, and 1.45 WHIP over 14 starts. The right-hander last pitched on Friday against the Dodgers and lasted 4.0 innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits and four walks. He took the loss, and the team moved to 9-5 in his starts this year.

Nola’s quietly been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year. The right-hander comes in at just 4-5, but he’s posted a 2.98 ERA (20th) and 0.90 WHIP (4th). He’s also struck out 109 batters, ranking fifth overall in Major League Baseball. Nola’s coming off of a dominant outing against the Padres, where he limited them to one earned run on seven hits over 7.0 innings of work. 

Nola’s been a beast this month, going 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 0.83 WHIP over five starts. He’ll have his hands full against a tough Braves lineup tonight, but he’s capable of handling them. Nola threw against Atlanta in May and held them to one earned run on five hits over 8.1 innings pitched. As for Anderson, we’ll turn to the head-to-head stats, where he’s held the Phillies to 7-47 (.149) in his career with no home runs allowed. I like this NRFI play, especially with a slight plus-money payout. 

Bet: Braves at Phillies NRFI (+102 via FanDuel)

San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

This is a huge four-game series between the Padres and Dodgers this weekend. Los Angeles holds a 1.5-game lead over San Diego coming into the weekend, and this series could have a major impact on the divisional landscape. Game one is set for 10:10 p.m. ET from Dodger Stadium with a pitching matchup featuring Joe Musgrove and Mitch White. 

Musgrove has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. The right-hander enters with an 8-1 record to go along with a 2.12 ERA (6th) and 0.95 WHIP (6th) over 13 starts. However, Musgrove’s coming off his worst outing of the year, where he allowed six earned runs on seven hits against the Phillies. 

White got moved into the rotation in May, which will be his sixth start of the year and 11th overall appearance. The right-hander has been serviceable, posting a 1-1 record, 4.25 ERA, and 1.15 WHIP. White was last tasked with throwing against the Braves on Saturday and surrendered three earned runs on five hits and a pair of walks. Los Angeles has now lost his last three starts. 

Musgrove’s last start was an anomaly, in my opinion. The Cy Young frontrunner hasn’t allowed more than two runs in any prior outing and recorded a quality start in all 12 other starts. Look for him to bounce back tonight in a huge matchup where he can help pick up a game in the division. As for White, he doesn’t have much experience against the Padres in his career; however, he threw 1.0 inning against them earlier this year and held them scoreless. White has allowed just three earned runs over his last 9.0 innings, so let’s take a shot here and say that he keeps a clean first frame. Let’s go with NRFI in this N.L. West showdown. 

Bet: Padres at Dodgers NRFI (-113 via FanDuel)

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