Bryan Armetta shares his two favorite MLB no run first inning (NRFI) prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Thursday’s slate.
20 teams make up Thursday’s ten-game MLB slate. For those looking to cash in quickly on a bet, nothing makes more sense than an NRFI. With that being said, there’s more to this one than meets the eye. Some pitchers thrive early, while others take more time to get settled in than others. Which NRFI picks are worth a closer look today?
Ahead of Thursday’s Major League Baseball contests, here are two NRFI bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
| Cubs vs. Mets NRFI (-120) | Boyd vs. Peralta |
| Yankees vs. Red Sox NRFI (-145) | Schlittler vs. Early |
Matthew Boyd hasn’t stepped on the mound in over a month, sidelined due to a knee injury. It’s no coincidence that the Cubs have looked much worse in his absence; the 2025 All-Star is a key piece in this rotation. Through five starts this season, he’s notched a 6.00 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 31 strikeouts (11.6 K/9). However, it’s still early; the southpaw was terrific last season (3.21 ERA, 1.09 WHIP). Since 2025, Boyd has posted a stellar 75.0% NRFI rate. In comparison, tonight’s opponent doesn’t look too difficult. The Mets have a .703 OPS and 94 wRC+ in the first inning, ninth-worst in both categories.
As for New York, much-maligned hurler Freddy Peralta will toe the slab. It’s been a brutal debut in the Big Apple for the former Brewers ace. Over 85.2 innings of work (16 starts), he’s on the hook for a 4.83 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 83 strikeouts (8.7 K/9). Most recently, the Dominican coughed up ten earned runs against Philadelphia. With that being said, Peralta tends to come out firing. Since 2025, he has a spectacular 82% NRFI rate. In comparison, the Cubs take their time on offense. Chicago’s lineup has a National League-worst 20.0% YRFI rate this season. Peralta owns a 3.30 ERA over 18 career appearances vs. the Cubs.
At this point, Cam Schlittler is entering rarified air as a starter. New York’s newfound ace has been borderline unhittable this season. Over 95.0 frames (16 starts), the right-hander has posted an American League-best 1.71 ERA to go with a 0.90 WHIP and 109 strikeouts (10.3 K/9). Unsurprisingly, the 25-year-old has been lights out in the first inning (93.8% NRFI). He also seems to relish taking the hill against tonight’s opponent, the Red Sox. Granted, that’s not much of a challenge these days. Boston has an 18.92% YRFI rate and 3.41 runs per game at home, both worst in baseball. In addition, the Red Sox have the league’s fourth-worst OPS against righties (.672).
Boston will hand the ball to promising young hurler Connelly Early tonight. The rookie has managed to produce a 3.64 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 79 strikeouts (8.7 K/9) over 15 starts. Granted, navigating a Yankees lineup that usually crushes lefties won’t be easy. However, the Pinstripes are missing plenty of big bats at the moment. They’ve scored 14 runs over their last five games, third-fewest in the sport during that stretch. Keeping that in mind, I’m willing to bet that Early holds his own tonight against New York.
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