Best NRFI Bets Today: The Teams to Watch on Friday, May 9

We're almost at the one-quarter mark of the season, a point where we can assess the quality of MLB teams, and also take an expert look at our betting success so far.

We'll address that task next week here in this same column.

(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Our choices for Friday night MLB games on NRFI or YRFI are three American League matchups. Odds here are from DraftKings Sportsbook, available in many states.

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MLB NRFI Betting Prediction for Orioles at Angels

The Angels are averaging 0.50 runs in the first inning, and have scored in the first in 16 of their 38 games. At home, their NRFI record is 8-8, meaning they have eight games this season at Angels Stadium where they scored in the first, and eight where they did not.

The LA Angels have scored three times in eight games this month, for a total of five runs

The lineup construction typically sees Jorge Soler and his big right handed bat in the No. 3 spot against righties, though manager Ron Washington will slide him to cleanup occasionally.

Shortstop Zach Neto has earned the leadoff spot (RHB) with his torrid start

The Orioles have lost five straight, mostly because they can't hit lefthanded pitching and can't convert batted balls into outs.

This is a weird, head-scratching team. One one hand, the O's have three superstars (Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Jackson Holliday), but on the other, Baltimore is weighed down by a disastrous pitching staff.

Once upon a time, Baltimore was the home of great pitching and three-run homers

Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar, Scot McGregor, Mike Flanagan, Denny Martinez, and later Mike Mussina, epitomized the excellent arms the Orioles had in their uniform.

For two decades, from 1964 to 1983, the Orioles won 90+ games 16 times in 18 full schedule seasons

Those were the days of the Robinson Boys, Earl Weaver, and the Happy Bird on the cap.

But now, despite predictions of a new feathered dynasty, the O's are playing more "Zer-O's," on the way to a disappointing season unless the foundation can be repaired.

You can keep hoping tonight is the night, but the O's are showing who they are: horrible at pitching and defense. Your choice should be NO RUNS IN FIRST INNING on either side for this Friday night west coast game.

BETTING PREDICTION: NRFI for Orioles vs Angels (+100 at DraftKings)

MLB NRFI Betting Prediction for Rangers at Tigers

The hottest team in baseball is the Detroit Tigers, who share MLB's best record at 25-13. Tonight they point big left handed ace Tarik Skubal to the bump to challenge the Texas Rangers.

This contest will be played at spacious Comerica Park with neutral weather

Since 2023, no MLB starting pitcher has more scoreless first innings in his starts than Skubal, the 2024 American League Cy Young Award winner.

Skubal is pitching much like he did last season: dominant, heavy four-seam fastball that he can save for crucial spots. He has a 38-to-1 strikeout ration in his  last five starts (0.90 ERA, one earned run in first inning of those outings).

Interestingly, Skubal's most effective pitch is his change, which he throws about a third of the time

Opponents are hitting .182 with a .218 SLG off that pitch, which sets up everything else in his arsenal.

He should face two lefthanded hitters in the first inning: Josh Smith and Corey Seager. Lefties are batting .150 with no extra-base hits off Skubal.

Detroit is facing veteran southpaw Patrick Corbin, who keeps churning along as an efficient innings eater

Corbin has been good out of the gate in 2025: only one run allowed in the first inning in five starts. That came on one swing: a leadoff homer by J.P Crawford last week.

The lefty has a career 2.38 ERA against Detroit in two starts

Expect Justyn-Henry Malloy and Gelyber Torres to spearhead the first inning against Corbin. But Detroit's lineup has been outperforming expectations of late, and are due for a correction toward the mean.

Texas is 17-21 in NRFI. I like the prospect of a goose egg in the opening frame all the way around. Go No Runs in First Inning for TEX vs DET on May 9.

BETTING PREDICTION: NRFI for Rangers vs Tigers (-125 at DraftKings)

MLB YRFI Betting Prediction for Blue Jays at Mariners

Seattle is tied with the Minnesota Twins for the most games scoring in the first inning, with 23. Tonight it will be Kevin Gausman (2-3, 3.83) vs. Luis Castillo (3-2, 3.29).

These two veterans starters know the opposing lineups well.

That also means the batters know the starting pitchers well, too. We have some great matchups tonight in TOR vs SEA: Cal Raleigh has three career HR in 10 PA against Gausman.

Donovan Solano has two jacks off Gausman

On the other side, Alejandro Kirk, the Bateador Profesional, has great success off Castillo: batting .600 with a homer off the Mariners' starter.

BETTING PREDICTION: YRFI for Blue Jays vs Mariners (+105 at DraftKings)