MLB Bets Today: Best First Inning Picks and Predictions for Sunday, May 24
We had a couple of rainouts Saturday and there are 16 games on tap for Sunday. The Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles will be playing a double dip. It's Memorial Day weekend, and the ball has been flying.
The second game of Tigers-Orioles is one that we're keyed in on for YRFI bets. The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs, and the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals each cashed a YRFI Saturday, and they have matchups to target Sunday.
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change. DraftKings does not sponsor this content.
Best YRFI Bets Today
Houston Astros at Chicago Cubs YRFI (+110)
The Astros hit the YRFI Saturday, and they'll look to do it again versus LHP Shota Imanaga, who struggles in the first. Imanaga has a 6.30 ERA in the first inning over 10 starts. He was lit up for eight earned runs in his last outing. Astros RHP Peter Lambert also was knocked around in his last start for five runs, so we could see home plate getting dirty early Sunday.
Seattle Mariners at Kansas City Royals YRFI (-110)
Mariners RHP Bryan Woo is one of the better young arms in the game, but he has struggled in the first. He has a 5.40 ERA in the first through 10 starts, which is one of his worst innings. Opposing him is RHP Seth Lugo, who has an identical 5.40 ERA in the first. Opposing hitters are raking at a .341 clip against him in the opening frame.
Detroit Tigers at Baltimore Orioles Game 1 YRFI (-115)
The Tigers and O's were rained out Saturday, and LHP Framber Valdez is scheduled to face RHP Brandon Young in the 12:35 p.m. ET makeup game. Valdez has been smoked in the first inning with a 6.30 ERA in 10 starts. He's having a rough season overall with a 4.58 ERA after signing with the club in the offseason. After a 2.53 ERA in his first 10.2 IP this year, Young has hovered north of a 4.15 ERA in four straight outings. However, he has been smoked to the tune of a 7.50 ERA in the first inning this year.
What Does YRFI Mean in Baseball?
The term YRFI indicates a run is scored in the first inning. Its opposite, NRFI, indicates no runs will be scored in the first inning. It doesn't matter if the run qualifies as an earned run or not. If a run crosses the plate in the first inning for either team, the wager wins for the YRFI side and loses for the NRFI side.
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 7:00 AM.