NRFI Best Bets for Tonight's MLB Games, Monday August 11, 2025

Last week was one of my most profitable of the baseball season. My picks rendered $425 in winnings here on Ball is Life.

This Monday I have three No Runs First Inning betting picks for MLB games on the schedule tonight. We have the Philadelphia Phillies at the Cincinnati Reds, as well as two interleague games, one featuring an "inner city" rivalry (if you consider Anaheim part of LA).

Nathan Eovaldi pitches for the Texas Rangers (GETTY IMAGES)

The odds cited in this article are courtesy of the Caesars Sportsbook mobile betting app.

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NRFI: Arizona at Texas, -110

STARTERS: Ryne Nelson vs Nathan Eovaldi

There's a six-game divide between the Diamondbacks and a playoff spot. That may seem (like a hot dog flavored toothbrush) to be reasonable, but it's not as good as it sounds.

The D-Backs need to slither over five teams to snag a postseason position

That's not likely, but it doesn't dampen the pitching matchup tonight in Arlington as the Snakes face the Texas Rangers. Many, many miles separate Phoenix from the home of the Rangers (in excess of 1,000 miles), but this is a nice interleague rivalry between two western teams.

Two-time World Series champion Nathan Eovaldi takes the ball to face the Diamondbacks

Eovaldi is getting better with age: at 35 years of age, he's recorded 10 wins in three straight seasons for the first time. Indeed, Eovaldi is enjoying the best era of his career as a Ranger, with a 34-16, 3.11 ERA, and 127 ERA+ in a Texas uniform.

In his 19 starts this season, Eovaldi has allowed only four runs in 19 first-innings

That's good for a 1.42 ERA, and the righty has put up a zero in the first frame in 17 of his 19 starts.

His opponent is Ryne Nelson (named for former Cubs' star second baseman Ryne Sandberg, who passed away last month). Nelson has had two poor first innings in 2025 (seven earned runs), but otherwise he has allowed only three ER in 12 opening frames.

WAGER: Bet $110 to win $100, plus your stake.

No Runs First Inning: Dodgers vs Angels, -130

STARTERS: Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs José Soriano

Any time the Dodgers and Angels play, it's a chance for baseball fans in SoCal to celebrate the fortunes of one team and the misfortune of the other.

The Dodgers are on cruise control toward another playoff appearance and defense of its championship

While manager Dave Roberts likely wishes his pitching staff was healthier, he has a bevy of weapons to defeat any challengers now or in October.

But the Angels are not just disappointing, the team is also without an identity. Even with Mike Trout putting up good numbers again, the Halos are again hopelessly mired deep in the standings.

Ownership ordered the front office to hold onto playoff hopes, a sign of optimism not seen since Jack Black entered a bikini contest.

The Angels played well in a three-game series against Detroit this past weekend, showing flashes of an offensive unit that can take left turns and score runs.

But tonight the lineup faces Yamamoto, who has had two strong outings his last two starts, both coming on the road.

Yoshi and Freddie (Freeman), and Mookie (Betts) can sleep in their own beds before Monday's game

That means home cooking, which could be just what the Dodgers need to get out of a slight funk (5-4 in August).

BET BET: NRFI, LAD vs LAA at -130 from FanDuel.

Phillies at Reds, NRFI: -105

STARTERS: Taijuan Walker vs Andrew Abbott

The fourth-lowest first inning ERA in baseball belongs to Andrew Abbott of the Reds (1.35 on 3 ER in 20 starts). In fact, Abbott has allowed only one run all year in the first that was not a home run.

Home runs might be on the menu tonight in the Phillies vs Reds, but I like the chances and odds for PHI vs CIN to post an NRFI.

WAGER: Bet $105 to win $100, or bet $52.50 to win $50 (plus your stake).