Best NRFI Picks Today: No Run First Inning Predictions for MLB June 19
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There’s afternoon baseball at Wrigley Field to start the weekend, and my top NRFI predictions are headlined by the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs playing a scoreless opening frame at the Friendly Confines Friday, June 19.
AdvertisementAdvertisementMy MLB picks wrap up with slow starts between the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers, and the Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros this evening.
Best NRFI/YRFI predictions today
Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
/ - NRFI | -135 |
/ - NRFI | -120 |
/ - NRFI | -108 |
Blue Jays at Cubs: NRFI (-135)
Toronto Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman has held opponents to a tidy .258 on-base percentage and in the opening frame to keep teams off the board in 11 of his 15 starts, and Chicago Cubs righty Ben Brown has been equally solid in the first inning.
Brown has held opposing hitters to a minuscule .231 OBP in the first while blanking six of seven opening frames.
Neither offense has started quickly, either. The Blue Jays have only scored in the first in 24% of their games and rank 27th in xwOBA over the past 30 days, and the Cubbies check in at just 20% and 17th in the metric.
AdvertisementAdvertisementI’d recommend this NRFI down to -145.
Time: 2:20 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MARQ, Sportsnet
Team at Team: Padres at Rangers: NRFI (-120)
Neither the San Diego Padres nor Texas Rangers have been prolific first-inning offenses this season, and have respectively scored in first in just 21% and 28% of their games. Additionally, the Padres rank 27th in wOBA and 25th in xwOBA across the past 14 days, while the Rangers check in with a 21st and 26th ranks.
So, even with San Diego righty Randy Vasquez sporting a 4.50 ERA in the first, and Texas veteran Jacob deGrom at 6.43, I’m anticipating a scoreless opening frame given the slumping offenses they’re facing.
This prop is in play to -130.
Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: RSN, SDPA
Guardians at Astros: NRFI (-108)
The Cleveland Guardians are without star Jose Ramirez (hand), and Houston Astros starter Tatsuya Imai has held opposing hitters to a .276 slugging percentage in the opening inning while pitching a scoreless first in seven of nine starts.
Additionally, Guardians righty Tanner Bibee has held opponents off the board in 10 of his 15 starts. Statistical correction is also coming to his 4.80 ERA in the first this season after posting a 3.77 mark last year.
Both teams rank below average in both wOBA and xwOBA over the past 14 days, too, so I’m happy to recommend this NRFI down to -120.
AdvertisementAdvertisementTime: 8:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SCHN, CLEG
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
NRFI/YRFI picks: 13-12, -2.69 units
What is a NRFI prediction?
NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) picks add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI pick is a prediction that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're predicting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.
A YRFI pick is the exact opposite. You're predicting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.
NRFI and YRFI picks add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for those looking for a quick resolution.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
