Best NRFI Bets Today: No Run First Inning Picks for Thursday, July 3

Seth Lugo and Jose Quintana highlight our best NRFI bets today. Can we build on our 38-26 record?

Last Updated: July 3, 2025 10:16 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Best NRFI Bets Today - Thursday, July 3 — Pictured: Seth Lugo - who's highlighted in our best NRFI bets today - throws a pitch in the first inning. Photo by: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

Welcome to our best NRFI bets today for Thursday, July 3. We're coming off a solid 2-1 night after winning two straight during the evening slate. Shoutout to the Guards/Cubs and Os/Rangers for coming through for the team.

We're now sitting at 38-26 with 6.59 extra units in our pocket this season. Let's fly to the moon on Thursday with a pair of plays I absolutely love. It's time to get into our first-inning picks and predictions using odds from our best sports betting sites.

All of these plays are one-unit wagers unless specified otherwise.

Best NRFI picks today: Thursday, July 3

Milwaukee Brewers vs New York Mets (-128 at FanDuel)
Kansas City Royals vs Seattle Mariners (-145 at DraftKings)

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Brewers vs. Mets - 7:10 p.m. ET

Jose Quintana (3.30 ERA) vs. David Peterson (3.30 ERA)
NRFI record: Brewers (47-39) vs. Mets (52-35)

Here are two of the best NRFI teams leaguewide, and two pitchers who sparkle in this specific matchup. The math is clearly adding up to play this as part of our best NRFI bets today.

Quintana has been decimating the top of the Mets' order during his career, limiting Francisco Lindor (3-for-22), Starling Marte (5-for-24), Juan Soto (1-for-10), and Pete Alonso (1-for-3) to a measly collective .169 average while also striking them out on average 24% of the time. That will work for three outs.

Peterson has been posting great numbers against the Brewers, too. Christian Yelich is just 1-for-8 and striking out 40% of the time against Peterson lifetime, while William Contreras is 2-for-7. I like our odds here, and this matchup is a no-brainer NRFI.

Confidence level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best NRFI bets today: -128 at FanDuel

Royals vs. Mariners - 9:40 p.m. ET

Seth Lugo (2.74 ERA) vs. Logan Evans (3.38 ERA)
NRFI record: Royals (54-33) vs. Mariners (40-46)

This was supposed to be a start featuring Bryan Woo, our favorite pitcher in the league. But he's been pushed to tomorrow, so we'll ride with Logan Evans instead as part of our best NRFI bets today. While Evans has either been lights out or incredibly mediocre this season, he's yet to give up a run in the first frame all year. We'll give him another shot today.

But Lugo is the main reason we're on this play. He's allowed just two earned runs across his last 23 2/3 innings pitched. Yes, he's an absolute stud, and the Mariners own a .285 xwOBA against him. Let's not overthink this while getting six simple outs.

Confidence level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best NRFI bets today: -145 at DraftKings

💡 More MLB predictions today

❓ Best NRFI bets today FAQs

What is a NRFI bet?

A NRFI bet is a wager on a matchup to go scoreless in the first inning. You can either wager “No Runs First Inning” or “Yes Runs First Inning” depending on the type of bet you'd like to make.

How do I place a NRFI bet?

To place a NRFI bet, simply go to your favorite sportsbook, head over to the market and game of your choice. Then click on “first inning.” You should see an option to bet on a NRFI or a YRFI from there.

Can you parlay a NRFI bet?

The simple answer is yes! Just like making any parlay, you can combine two or more NRFIs across the MLB slate for any given day.

💵 Best MLB betting sites

Want to bet on baseball? Check out the best MLB betting sites and best sportsbook promos for today's games:

FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
Hard Rock Bet Promo Code | Read our Hard Rock Bet Review

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Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Written by:
Dustin Saracini

Dustin Saracini is a Senior Publishing Editor & Analyst for Sportsbook Review. Dustin has been in the industry for 11-plus years, making various stops across Canada while gaining tremendous experience within the sports and betting landscape. Dustin has hosted multiple shows during his time in the sports betting industry, discussing NBA, NFL, PGA, and MLB betting markets with top handicappers from around the country, and has appeared on CNN as a betting consultant. Dustin wagers every single day and line shops at all of the top sportsbooks (FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars). He firmly believes that discipline is the only way you can become a profitable bettor. Dustin graduated from Western University with a broadcast journalism degree/diploma in 2014. If you want to see more of his plays, make sure to follow his Twitter @DustinSaracini. Follow for picks, strategies, and more.