NRFI Best Bets for Tonight's MLB Games, Friday July 18

The "second half" of the MLB season begins tonight when all 30 teams are on the field following a four-game break. While it's not technically the second "half," the rest of the season schedule is commencing with the 12 postseason spots at stake.

Odds for World Series and pennant winners can be found at BetMGM, FanDuel, Fanatics, DraftKings, and other top sportsbooks.

But for this weekend, we want to look at No Runs First Inning odds for specific games taking place in the regular season.

(Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Dodgers remain the odds favorite to win the 2025 World Series (+240)

If they win it all in October, it will mark baseball's first repeat champions since 2000. That was last century (yes, 2000 was part of the 20th century, Google it).

Challengers like the Padres, Phillies, and even the Cubs, are poised to knock off the Dodgers. The Yankees are motivated to return to the Fall Classic.

The Houston Astros are also still lurking...lurking like a dynasty that will never fade away. Like asparagus, the smell of the Astros seems to linger.

Today's odds are from BetMGM Sportsbook.

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Padres and Nats: +105 for No Runs First Inning

Probable starters are Dylan Cease (Padres) vs. Mitchell Parker (Nationals). Last June, Parker made a start against the Padres in San Diego. Parker tossed six solid innings, allowing three earned runs, including two home runs.

The Padres are one of the most underreported stories of the season

As of the commencement of the second half, San Diego is only 5 1/2 games behind the Dodgers. The Padres are the last team to defeat LA in the postseason.

Their lineup is dotted with stars

They have a top-notch bullpen, and their team ERA ranks third in the National League.

Wager $100 and if the teams do not score in the first, you win $105, plus your stake.

Yankees at Braves: NRFI at -110

Last season, the Yankees cooled in the second half. The Bombers still charged off with the AL East title, but New York had a 14-12 record in August.

This season, with the Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Rays jostling with the Yankees for a postseason spot out of the AL East, things could get crowded and complicated.

Yes, Boston is only one game behind the Yankees

The Rays, who rent the Yankees' spring training facility, are just 3 1/2 games back of their landlord.

This weekend, the Yankees start a grueling stretch of 13 games against playoff contenders (Braves, Jays, Phils, and Rays). If anything can expose the lack of depth in the Yanks' bullpen, it's a six-game road trip after the break, and 13 games in 14 days against good teams.

Tonight, you'll see the every steady Spencer Strider starting for the Braves in Atlanta

He'll be opposed by Max Fried, who has been the most impressive and consistent starter for manager Aaron Boone in 2025.

That's why I like No Runs First Inning for the Yanks/Braves tonight. Wager $110 to win $100 if the teams both fail to plate a run in the first frame.

Tigers at Rangers: NRFI at -110

The All-Star break came at the opportune time for the Tigers, who dropped three straight to the Mariners and Big Dumper last weekend. Ace Tarik Skubal has pitched poorly in his most recent two outings, including his start for the American League in Tuesday's Midsummer Classic.

Detroit is being priced at +700 to win the World Series

We don't like those odds. The Tigers should be longer to win the first franchise World Series since 1984. The lineup has holes, oh so many holes, and the pitching staff is showing signs of fatigue.

Still, for Friday night I love Reese Olson and Patrick Corbin on the hill to start the series opener

Both have been spinning the sphere well as of late. Olson is back following a tender wing. Corbin is a veteran southpaw whose FIP shows he's pitched better than his 6-7 reco0rd and 4.15 ERA suggest.

Take NO RUNS in the first inning at -110 for the Tigers at Nationals in D.C. Your winning $110 wager will win you the $100 you want to start off the post-ASB portion of the MLB season.