MLB NRFI Picks for Tonight, Tuesday May 27

We have three game picks on the No Runs First Inning odds for tonight's MLB games. It's a full slate of games across the league, including seven interleague matchups.

On Monday we recorded two wins out of five prop picks. That leaves us +290 units for our MLB wagering in the 2025 season. We're one-third of the way through the season and now the next milestone is the All-Star Game in July.

Odds cited in this article are from FanDuel Sportsbook. That sports betting app has dozens of odds for every MLB game on any given night of the season. For those of us planning our baseball betting, staying abreast of the odds from many sources is the wisest decision.

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NRFI: Twins at Rays, -120

The Twins and Rays seem like the same side of the same coin. Both teams strive to find pitchers on the margins, and aren't afraid to mix bullpen games into the mix. So far, the Twins have used six bullpen games, winning five of them.

The Twins rank ninth in the AL in slugging, the Rays rank 12th. Both teams rank in the bottom third in MLB in multi-run innings, and the Rays are dead last in first inning runs.

Two nondescript starters will get the ball for Tuesday's game: Joe Ryan (MIN) vs Taj Bradley (TBR).

Best bet: $120 to win $100 if the first inning is scoreless

NRFI: Reds at Royals, -120

This game in Kansas City features two of the most exciting young players in the game: Elly De La Cruz and Bobby Witt Jr. Both are ridiculously talented shortstops with rocket arms and great foot speed. It's not outlandish to expect one or both of them to be a serious MVP candidate as soon as this season.

All the starters (Brady Singer of Cincy and Daniel Lynch for the Royals) need to do is keep runners off the bases in the opening inning, and we could see an NRFI with odds at -120 for KCR vs CIN.

The Reds are 27th in MLB in first inning runs. The Royals rank 17th among 30 teams in that category.

Best bet: $120 to win $100 if both teams fail to score in the first inning

NRFI: A's at Astros, -140

Thankfully, the Athletics are on the road for this game against the Houston Astros. That's because the A's have suffered at their minor league ballpark. It's even come under fire from opposing players. Recently, Phillies' pitcher Zack Wheeler voiced his issues with the mound.

"The mound was terrible. That was really it," Wheeler told reporters last week after pitching at Sutter Health Park. "I felt great today and that's why I was frustrated, because I felt great and the mound was bad.

It was like cement right in front of the rubber and if you did break it up, there were little bumps in it."

Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park, home to the Triple-A River Cats, has recently drawn sharp criticism from MLB players, who argue it no longer meets modern baseball standards.

The primary complaints revolve around player safety, field quality, and inadequate clubhouse facilities

Players cite uneven turf and problematic drainage systems as significant injury risks, especially during wet conditions, raising concerns about both short- and long-term health.

Additionally, the ballpark’s clubhouse has faced scrutiny for being cramped and outdated, lacking essential amenities that professional athletes expect.

Players emphasize that such deficiencies hinder their pregame routines, recovery times, and overall performance. Several players noted they expected better conditions at a Triple-A facility, a level that should closely mirror MLB standards.

Moreover

MLB veterans on rehabilitation assignments have publicly expressed frustration, highlighting the stark contrast between Sutter Health Park and major-league stadiums. They argue that Sacramento's facility significantly trails behind its peers in terms of player comfort and professional atmosphere, impacting their rehab experiences negatively.

The River Cats organization has acknowledged the criticism and insists they're committed to upgrades at Sutter Health, pledging improvements to playing conditions and clubhouse facilities in the near future.

However, MLB players maintain pressure, underscoring that timely renovations are vital to preserving player safety, morale, and the competitive integrity of minor league baseball.

As Sacramento strives to remain a premier Triple-A destination, addressing these issues promptly will be essential to restore confidence among the players who pass through its gates.

Tonight, the pitching matchup sounds like a law firm: Sears and Brown

This is the first time either lineup has faced JP Sears (Athletics) or Hunter Brown (Astros). That makes me like the chances for a scoreless NRFI in this AL West matchup.

Brown is a comer and worth the watch: he's a legitimate Cy Young candidate in his third full season as the Ace of the Future for the Astros. He's allowing 5.8 hits per nine, and his WHIP is under one.

Best bet: $140 to win $100 if the first inning is scoreless