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Top MLB Bets for July 4: NRFI and YRFI Predictions for Astros, Rays, and More
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- Top MLB Bets for July 4: NRFI and YRFI Predictions for Astros, Rays, and More
Houston Astros RHP Hunter Brown has established himself as one of the best pitchers in the American League at age 27. He looks to do his part in cashing an NRFI against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. Jump on the YRFI in the Miami Marlins and Athletics matchup. We also like the NRFI in the meeting between the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates .
Happy Independence Day, everyone! The action gets started early Saturday, so get those wagers in promptly as well.
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All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change. DraftKings does not sponsor this content.
More MLB Predictions:
Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today
Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros NRFI (-135)
Rays RHP Drew Rasmussen is 7-4 with a 2.45 ERA on the season as he has established himself as a frontline starter at 30 years of age. He has a 3.94 ERA in the first inning, but he has kept it clean in his last five starts. Astros RHP Hunter Brown is 1-0 with a 1.78 ERA in five starts thus far. He has yet to allow a run in the first with nine punchouts in those five frames.
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Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals NRFI (-115)
Nats RHP Zack Littell is 7-6 with a 5.29 ERA on the campaign. He won't wow you with his pitch arsenal, but he has been decent in the opening frame with a 3.75 ERA . Opposing him will be emerging Pirates RHP Braxton Ashcraft . The 26-year-old is 8-3 with a 3.33 ERA on the season. He has been nasty in the first with a 2.65 ERA and 22 K's in 17 first frames.
Miami Marlins at the Athletics YRFI (-135)
Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara gets the ball Saturday, and he's 9-4 with a 4.20 ERA. He has issues in the first, though, with a 5.00 ERA , and opponents hit .306 in the inning. The Athletics are scheduled to roll with RHP Aaron Civale and his 5-5 record with a 5.05 ERA. He, too, dreads the opening frame with a 5.14 ERA . The data leads us to believe a YRFI is in order.
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What Does NRFI and YRFI Mean in Baseball?
The term NRFI indicates no runs scored in the first inning. Its opposite, YRFI, indicates yes, a run will be scored 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.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports Betting section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
