NRFI, YRFI MLB Bets Today: Best First Inning Predictions for Friday, May 29

We're back to a full 15-game slate of MLB action Friday. There are a couple of NRFIs worth targeting as well as a YRFI at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler has regained his form after thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. He is 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA on the season, and he'll face the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers. We also like the Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies to either keep it clean or put one up on the board in the first.

All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change. DraftKings does not sponsor this content.

Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today

Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers NRFI (-120)

Ace RHP Zack Wheeler is 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA and 36 K's in 37 2/3 innings on the season. This comes after his 2025 was cut short due to thoracic outlet syndrome surgery -- an operation that some pitchers don't come back from. He has allowed just one run in the first inning, and hitters are just 2-for-20 off him to open games. The Dodgers throw LHP Justin Wrobleski, who's 6-2 with a 3.07 ERA. He has given up six runs in the first, but four of them came in his last start.

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals NRFI (-130)

One of the most heated rivalries in baseball picks back up for the first time this season Friday. The Cubs send LHP Shota Imanaga, who is 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA lifetime against the Cards. He does have a 5.73 ERA in the first inning this season, but he hasn't given up a first-inning run in five starts. RHP Andre Pallante goes for the Cards. He has a 3.76 ERA on the season, his ERA in the first is a 8.10, so don't be surprised if this one goes either way.

San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies YRFI (-130)

RHP Logan Webb is making his return from the injured list, and congrats, it's at the hitter's haven known as Coors Field. He is 4-2 with a 4.37 ERA in 10 lifetime starts in Coors. That's not exactly the place you want to shake off the rust, especially since he's 2-4 with a 5.06 ERA on the season. On the other side, RHP Michael Lorenzen has been awful in Colorado's thin air with a 10.03 ERA in five starts. He has a 7.36 ERA in the first inning through 11 starts. This is a good one to ride the scoreboard cascades Friday.

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.