NRFI and YRFI Bets Today: Best First Inning Picks and Predictions for Wednesday, May 27
It's Hump Day, and we're halfway to the weekend. We have a full schedule of MLB games, but be aware that six of them start before the evening beckons.
New York Yankees RHP Gerrit Cole makes his second start of the season after an impressive debut. RHP Shohei Ohtani and his minuscule ERA go for the Los Angeles Dodgers. We also like the YRFI to cash for a second straight day between the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles.
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change. DraftKings does not sponsor this content.
Best NRFI and YRFI Bets Today
New York Yankees at Kansas City Royals NRFI (-105)
RHP Gerrit Cole makes his second start off the IL, and he was great in his first start. He pitched six scoreless innings and allowed just two hits, so like him to keep the first inning clean again. LHP Noah Cameron opposes him, and despite a 4.72 ERA on the season, he has been very good in the first. Cameron has allowed two earned runs in nine first frames for a first-inning ERA of 2.00.
Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers NRFI (-115)
The pendulum shifts to an NRFI in this matchup as well Wednesday. RHP Shohei Ohtani goes for the Dodgers, and he has been unhittable. Ohtani has a 0.73 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP in 49 IP in 2026. He has yet to allow an earned run in the first inning through eight starts. On the other side, the Rockies turn to Tomoyuki Sugano. He has a 3.25 ERA on the road this season and just a 3.60 ERA in the first.
Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles YRFI (-115)
The YRFI cashed in this matchup Tuesday, and there's upside to do it again Wednesday. LHP Steven Matz toes the rubber for Tampa with a 3.70 ERA. He has a 5.62 ERA in the first inning through eight starts. Opposite of him is expected to be RHP Chris Bassitt, who has been a mess this season with a 5.51 ERA. His ERA is even worse in the first inning at 5.62 through eight starts. We look for the bats to be active early in this one.
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.
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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 4:30 AM.