NRFI, YRFI MLB Bets Today: Best First-Inning Predictions for Tuesday, Sept. 22

RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Los Angeles Dodgers have their eye on the playoffs, but first, they’re looking to punch an NRFI ticket against the San Diego Padres. The Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees have the matchup to keep things clean in the first. The Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles have the matchup to score runs early and often.

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Tuesday’s action begins at 1:05 p.m. ET, with one of our highlighted matchups. Get those bets in early.

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

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Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today

San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers NRFI (-125)

The Padres go with RHP Michael King at 12-9 with a 3.03 ERA on the season. He’s even better in the first with a 1.74 ERA and 36 K’s in 31 first frames. RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes his turn for the Dodgers at 14-8 with a 2.51 ERA. He has been better in the first and has the ERA down to 3.67 in the opening frame.

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Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees — Game 1 — NRFI (-135)

RHP Nick Martinez goes for Tampa at 15-4 with a 2.94 ERA. He has been awesome in the first with a 1.55 ERA. LHP Carlos Rodon goes for the Yankees at 6-3 with a 2.95 ERA. He hasn’t had many issues in the first with a 3.00 ERA and 17 K’s in 15 first frames.

Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles YRFI (+100)

Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer toes the rubber for Toronto at 3-8 with a 6.07 ERA. Mad Max has been a hot mess in the first with a 9.56 ERA, and he has caved in the first in three straight starts. RHP Chris Bassitt goes for the O’s at 8-5 with a 4.64 ERA. He has been so-so with a 4.24 ERA in the first.

What Do NRFI and YRFI Mean in Baseball?

The term NRFI indicates no runs scored in the first inning. Its opposite, YRFI, indicates yes, there will be a run 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.

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This story was originally published September 22, 2026 at 7:30 AM.