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Top MLB Bets for July 18: YRFI and NRFI Predictions for Key Matchups
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- Top MLB Bets for July 18: YRFI and NRFI Predictions for Key Matchups
Fun fact: Chicago Cubs OF Pete Crow-Armstrong 's mother played the main character's mother in the baseball movie Little Big League . PCA didn't need a script for his highlight-reel June in which he hit .381 with 11 homers. He remains one of the hottest hitters in the game and looks to cash a YRFI against the Minnesota Twins . We also like the NRFI in the Baltimore Orioles -Houston Astros matchup and the San Francisco Giants -Seattle Mariners meeting.
It's a jam-packed Saturday, and the action begins in the early afternoon. So get those bets in early, and let's break those cash registers.
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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
Minnesota Twins at Chicago Cubs YRFI (-105)
RHP Taj Bradley is 9-3 with a 3.59 ERA for the Twins. He loves his fastball up in the zone. It has gotten him into trouble in the first inning with a 6.00 ERA . The Cubs send LHP Matthew Boyd out for his 10th start at 5-1 with a 4.50 ERA. He has a 4.00 ERA in the first this season. All things considered, we like the YRFI in this one.
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Baltimore Orioles at Houston Astros NRFI (-115)
For the O's, LHP Trevor Rogers is a pitcher we've tailed a lot this season. His numbers won't wow you at 6-7 with a 4.48 ERA. In fact, that ERA was 6.84 entering June, but he has been masterful in the first with a 1.59 ERA in 17 starts. Astros RHP Spencer Arrighetti is 7-5 with a 4.50 ERA on the season. He, too, deals in the first with a 1.80 ERA . Keep riding those hot hands in the first with an NRFI.
San Francisco Giants at Seattle Mariners NRFI (-155)
Giants ace RHP Logan Webb is 5-7 with a 3.86 ERA on the season. His first-inning ERA is 5.06 , but it had been good all season before he laid a five-run egg in the first inning of his last start. It was 2.40 before that outing. M's RHP Bryan Woo is 7-6 with a 4.23 ERA on the season, which is a little subpar for him. He deals in the first, though, with a 3.00 ERA . We're confident in them missing bats to open the game.
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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 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports Betting section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
