Best NRFI Bets Today: No Run First Inning Picks For Saturday, July 19

Shota Imanaga and Sonny Gray highlight our best NRFI bets today. Can we build on our 49-31 record?

Last Updated: July 19, 2025 10:37 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Best NRFI Bets Today: Picks & Predictions for Saturday, July 19 — Pictured: Shota Imanaga - who's highlighted in our best NRFI bets today - pitches in the first frame. Photo by Brad Rempel via Imagn Images.

Welcome to our best NRFI bets today for Saturday, July 19. We have officially hit our stride, going 8-0 across our last four days - yes, it's our longest winning streak of the season. Let's stay in the driver's seat this weekend.

We're now sitting at 49-31 on the campaign with 10.19 extra units in our pocket. Let's kick off our Saturday with some added funds in our collective wallet. It's time to get into my first-inning picks and predictions using odds from the best sports betting sites.

All of these plays are one-unit wagers unless specified otherwise.

💰 Best NRFI picks today: Saturday, July 19

Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago Cubs (-104 at FanDuel)
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (-125 at DraftKings)

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⚾️ Red Sox vs. Cubs - 7:15 p.m. ET

Brayan Bello (3.14 ERA) vs. Shota Imanaga (2.65 ERA)
NRFI record: Red Sox (44-55) vs. Cubs (47-50)

There seems to be some confusion about who the Red Sox will be trotting out to the mound tonight, so we'll focus on one of baseball's best in Imanaga for now.

The Cy Young odds contender is coming off two of his best starts of the season, limiting the Yankees to just one run across seven innings after going six innings of two-run baseball against the Twins. He's allowed a run in the first frame just once across his last six outings, so don't expect it to happen against a team that owns a .206 xBA against him.

Play this with confidence as part of our best NRFI bets today - it's one of our favorite Red Sox vs. Cubs predictions.

Confidence level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best NRFI bets today: -104 at FanDuel

⚾️ Cardinals vs. Diamondbacks - 7:10 p.m. ET

Sonny Gray (3.50 ERA) vs. Ryne Nelson (3.68 ERA)
NRFI record: Cardinals (46-52) vs. Diamondbacks (45-53)

Now, this doesn't look like the best NRFI play when looking at the basic numbers (NRFI records are awful in this spot), but when diving deeper into this matchup, you'll see what I see.

It starts with Corbin Carroll and Geraldo Perdomo, who are a combined 0-for-6 against Gray in their career, and it ends with the Diamondbacks posting just a .319 xwOBA against the righty. That's a recipe for three simple outs.

On the other side, while the Cardinals are hitting .323 against Nelson, their xBA versus the right-hander is just .222, which suggests we'll see them calm down a bit at the plate tonight. I'd price this play closer to -140, as opposed to the -125 betting odds we're getting at DraftKings.

Let's ride this value as part of our best NRFI bets today and one of our best Cardinals vs. Diamondbacks predictions.

Confidence level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best NRFI bets today: -125 at DraftKings

💡 More MLB predictions today

❓ Best NRFI bets today FAQs

What is a NRFI bet?

A NRFI bet is a wager on a matchup to go scoreless in the first inning. You can either wager “No Runs First Inning” or “Yes Runs First Inning” depending on the type of bet you'd like to make.

How do I place a NRFI bet?

To place a NRFI bet, simply go to your favorite sportsbook, head over to the market and game of your choice. Then click on “first inning.” You should see an option to bet on a NRFI or a YRFI from there.

Can you parlay a NRFI bet?

The simple answer is yes! Just like making any parlay, you can combine two or more NRFIs across the MLB slate for any given day.

💵 Best MLB betting sites

Want to bet on baseball? Check out the best MLB betting sites and best sportsbook promos for today's games:

FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
Hard Rock Bet Promo Code | Read our Hard Rock Bet Review

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Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Written by:
Dustin Saracini

Dustin Saracini is a Senior Publishing Editor & Analyst for Sportsbook Review. Dustin has been in the industry for 11-plus years, making various stops across Canada while gaining tremendous experience within the sports and betting landscape. Dustin has hosted multiple shows during his time in the sports betting industry, discussing NBA, NFL, PGA, and MLB betting markets with top handicappers from around the country, and has appeared on CNN as a betting consultant. Dustin wagers every single day and line shops at all of the top sportsbooks (FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars). He firmly believes that discipline is the only way you can become a profitable bettor. Dustin graduated from Western University with a broadcast journalism degree/diploma in 2014. If you want to see more of his plays, make sure to follow his Twitter @DustinSaracini. Follow for picks, strategies, and more.