Best NRFI Bets Today: MLB First Inning Predictions for Tuesday, May 5

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It’s a loaded slate of baseball with all 30 teams hitting the field Tuesday, May 5, and I’ve got a trio of NRFI/YRFI betsto cover you throughout the night.

My favorite MLB picks begin with the Baltimore Orioles-Miami Marlins bout in the early window and wrap up with tonight’s matchup between the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels .

Best NRFI/YRFI bets today

Orioles at Marlins: NRFI (-107)

Baltimore Orioles veteran Chris Bassitt has spun a blemish-free opening inning in three of his past four starts, and he’s coming off a strong outing with just a single run allowed and seven strikeouts across 6 2/3 frames. He’s catching the Miami Marlins at the right time, too. They’ve posted a 28th-ranked wOBA while striking out at the third-highest clip in baseball and averaging just 2.8 runs per game during a 3-6 slump.

Turning to Miami righty Sandy Alcantara , he has pitched a scoreless first inning in six of his seven starts, and the Orioles are tied for last in the majors in percentage of games with a run in the opening frame.

• Time: 6:40 p.m. ET

• Where to watch: Marlins.TV, MASN

Twins at Nationals: NRFI (-103)

Both Minnesota Twins righty Taj Bradley  and Washington Nationals starter Cade Cavalli have been strong in the opening frame with matching 2.57 first-inning ERAs, and I also value their respective 25.3% and 26.6% strikeout rates.

We’re also landing an excellent number because the Nationals have scored in the first inning at the third-highest clip in the league while sporting an unsustainably high .388 BABIP, so statistical correction is set to kick in.

• Time: 6:45 p.m. ET

• Where to watch: NATS, MNNT

White Sox at Angels: NRFI (-102)

Chicago White Sox starter Erick Fedde has held opposing hitters to a minuscule .385 OPS in the opening frame and pitched a scoreless first in three of his four starts, including last time out against the Los Angeles Angels .

Los Angeles counters with lefty Sam Aldegheri , and he’ll have the benefit of the Chicago lineup seeing him for the first time. So, while Aldegheri’s MLB and Triple A numbers are nothing to write home about, the Pale Hose sport a .231 batting average in the first frame and score in the first inning at a league-average rate of just 28.57%.

• Time: 9:38 p.m. ET

• Where to watch: ABTV, CHSN

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• NRFI/YRFI picks: 6-7, -1.37 units

What is a NRFI bet?

NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) bets add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI bet is a wager that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're betting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.

A YRFI bet is the exact opposite. You're betting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.

NRFI and YRFI bets add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for bettors looking for a quick resolution.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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