Best NRFI Bets Today: No Run First Inning Picks For Wednesday, June 18

Garrett Crochet and Tarik Skubal highlight our best NRFI bets today - can we build on our 29-19 record?

Last Updated: June 18, 2025 11:14 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Best NRFI Bets Today - Wednesday, June 18 — Garrett Crochet throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in the first inning at Fenway Park. Photo by: David Butler II via Imagn Images.

Need a midweek pick-me-up? Six simple outs will do the trick. Welcome to our best NRFI bets today for Wednesday, June 18.

As it stands, we're sitting at 29-19 with 6.22 extra units in our pocket on the season after yet another 1-1 split yesterday. Slade Cecconi was one pitch away from getting us the sweep before an RBI single did us in. But hey, today's another opportunity with our NRFI predictions.

We've got a couple of chalk plays I absolutely love today, so let's get back on track using odds from our best sportsbooks.

Best NRFI Picks Today: Wednesday, June 18

Boston Red Sox vs Seattle Mariners (-150 at DraftKings)
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Detroit Tigers (-150 at ESPN BET)

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Red Sox vs Mariners - 4:10 p.m. ET

Garrett Crochet (2.24 ERA) vs Luis Castillo (3.29 ERA)
NRFI Record: Red Sox (34-41) vs Mariners (32-40)

Well, this matchup won us our NRFI prediction yesterday, so might as well ride it again - except this time we've got two of the best pitchers in baseball on the mound.

Crochet is fresh off spinning an 8.1-inning gem against the Yankees, and gets a Mariners team he's striking out at a 30% clip. The projected top three in JP Crawford, Julio Rodriguez, and Big Dumper Cal Raleigh are a combined 2-16 against the left-hander, too. That'll play.

We even have Crochet going Over 18.5 outs as part of our Red Sox vs. Mariners predictions today.

On the other side is Castillo, who's limited the Red Sox lineup to a .158 xBA across across 32 plate appearances. Castillo comes out of the gate hot, and hasn't allowed a run in the first frame over his last seven outings. That should be enough to get us to the finish line as part of our best NRFI bets today.

Confidence level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best NRFI Bets today: -150 at DraftKings

Pirates vs Tigers - 6:40 p.m. ET

Andrew Heaney (3.33 ERA) vs Tarik Skubal (1.99 ERA)
NRFI Record: Pirates (43-31) vs Tigers (41-33)

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know backing the AL Cy Young odds favorite in Skubal is good for your NRFIs, but the ace looks even better in this specific matchup.

The Pirates own just a .287 xwOBA against the southpaw, and, while O'Neil Cruz hasn't taken an at-bat against him in his career (which should work out in our favor), the projected two-three hitters are a combined 1-12 versus Skubal. I'm looking for a clean, three-up, three-down inning to kick this play off.

Can Heaney get us the sweep? He's coming off two straight quality starts and owns a 30% whiff rate against this Tigers team. We're always in the mood for some weak contact if we find ourselves in a first-inning jam, and the lefty can provide just that. Let's ride him as part of our best NRFI bets today.

Confidence level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best NRFI Bets Today: -150 at ESPN BET

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❓ 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 on 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.

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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.