One of the most exciting ways to bet on Major League Baseball is by betting on a run to be scored – or not scored – in the first inning of a game.
These are called No Run First Inning and Yes Run First Inning bets, and I have one of each that I love for Friday night's action.
Let's break down the picks, starting with a place where runs should come early and often:
Best YRFI bet today
Colorado Rockies-Detroit Tigers YRFI (-160)
The Rockies and Tigers aren't two teams that you'd expect to be a great YRFI bet, but the conditions at Coors Field, and Austin Gomber's struggles make it my favorite on Friday.
The Rockies lefty has made nine starts at home this season, posting a 8.72 ERA in those games and allowing opponents to slash a ridiculous .337/.390/.646 against him.
In the first inning this season, Gomber has a 7.31 ERA, giving up 13 runs in 16 starts. He's simply been one of the worst starters in all of baseball in 2023.
His opponent, Michael Lorenzen, has also struggled in the first inning, allowing 11 runs in 13 appearances for a 7.62 ERA. I expect someone to score early in this matchup.
Best NRFI bet today
Tampa Bay Rays-Seattle Mariners NRFI (-140)
Unlike our YRFI, we have a great pitching matchup in Seattle on Friday night.
Rookie Bryce Miller (3.88 ERA on the season) gets the ball against Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan, and both pitchers have been elite in the first inning this season.
Miller has made 10 starts, giving up just three total first inning runs – holding opponents to a .231 batting average in the opening frame.
McClanahan, a legitimate Cy Young candidate, has been even better, allowing just two first inning runs in 16 outings for a 1.12 ERA.
While the Rays have a lethal offense, I'll take a shot on Miller getting through the first and I expect McClanahan to do the same given Seattle's offensive struggles (18th in runs, 24th in OPS) in 2023.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
