Let’s take a look at some No Runs First Inning prop bet odds and picks for today’s game: Angels vs. Athletics.
On a small slate, this surprisingly may be the best matchup for an NRFI. Cole Irvin will be tasked with the top of the first, and he has been outstanding lately. He finished the month of July with a 1.85 ERA. Something clicker for Irvin this past month as he only allowed 19 hits and three walks over 34 innings pitched. In addition, he followed it up with a quality start against this same Angels lineup in his last start. Los Angeles has been a team to target as they rank just 16th in first-inning runs per game and lead the majors in strikeout rate. Irvin will also have a matchup edge as Ohtani and Walsh are both left-handed, and Irvin has held lefties to just a .211 batting average this season. With how hot Irvin’s been, the top of the first should be smooth sailing.
We get to pick on the worst offense in the majors for the bottom half of the inning. Oakland is dead last in team batting average and second to last in wOBA and wRC+. Although, they rank 24th in first-inning runs per game. Jose Suarez has quietly been fantastic in the first inning this season. Through 11 starts, he holds a 1.64 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He’s also complied 52 at-bats against the current Oakland lineup and has held them to a .250 batting average with five extra-base hits and only three walks. So with Suarez likely not hurting himself and limiting damage, we have ourselves a great pairing to put up matching zeroes.