NRFI Bets Today: Best First Inning Picks and Predictions for Wednesday, May 20

We've reached the midway point of the week, and there are plenty of divisional matchups to choose from Wednesday. The weather is heating up, and so are the divisional races as we drive toward Flag Day. That day is generally the point where teams judge whether they're contenders or not.

Wednesday brings us a start from Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Shohei Ohtani. There's also a showdown between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees that has our eyeballs glued to it.

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

Best NRFI Bets Today

Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres NRFI (-145)

Ohtani has been awesome in the first inning this season. He hasn't allowed an earned run, just six hits and a walk while fanning 10. Padres RHP Randy Vasquez counters him, and he has been solid in the first as well. He has allowed just two earned runs over nine first frames and has struck out 11.

Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees NRFI (-120)

This is the matchup moderate baseball fans and above will be keyed in on. Postseason standout Trey Yesavage faces Yankees stud RHP Cam Schlittler. Yesavage is making just his fifth start after beginning the season on the IL, and he has picked up where he left off last postseason, going 1-1 with a 1.40 ERA. He has allowed just one earned run in the first inning thus far. Schlittler has allowed just one earned run in 10 first innings this season.

Boston Red Sox at Kansas City Royals NRFI (-155)

While this matchup doesn't have the star power of the others, the numbers certainly back it up. Young lefty Connelly Early goes for Boston, and veteran RHP Michael Wacha for KC. Early is 3-2 with a 3.21 ERA on the season, and Wacha is 4-2 with a 2.83 ERA. When it comes to opening the game, Early lives up to his name by showing up in the first. He has allowed just three earned runs in nine first frames. Wacha has been even better with two earned runs allowed in the first.

What Does NRFI 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 20, 2026 at 4:30 AM.