The Atlanta Braves will visit the Texas Rangers tonight, and it’s a prime spot for bettors seeking out scoring. The total of 9 runs suggests we should see plenty of baserunners cross home plate. But will we see one score early? Few bets are more fun than those on Yes Run First Inning (YRFI) markets. They can provide an immediate payout and offer instant gratification for gamblers and sports fans alike. Let’s lock in tonight’s best YRFI bet.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published the morning of 5/15, odds are subject to change
Best Yes Run First Inning (YRFI) Bet & Prediction | Braves-Rangers
Atlanta Braves vs. Texas Rangers Odds
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Atlanta Braves: -145 | Texas Rangers: +115
Over 9: -115 | Under 9: -105
YRFI: -115 | NRFI: -110
The Atlanta Braves boast one of the MLB’s best offenses. They rank an impressive fifth in runs per game (5.2) and score 5.5 runs per game on the road, 0.7 more than what they average at home. The Texas Rangers are no slouch, either — their offense leads the MLB in runs per game (6.4) and runs per game at home (6.7).
Both teams’ strong offensive play has led to strong results in the first inning. The Braves rank second in runs per first inning (0.8) on the year and second in runs per first inning on the road (1). Texas ranks a respectable sixth in runs per first inning (0.7) and first in runs per first inning at home (0.9). The Braves rank an impressive fourth in YRFI% (42.5%), slightly ahead of the seventh-ranked Rangers (35%).
But YRFI and NRFI bets often come down to pitching, and both the Braves and Rangers have talented pitching staffs. However, Texas will trot out rookie Cody Bradford, a lefty, for his rookie debut on Monday. While his 0.91 ERA in six AAA starts is dominant, his overall minor-league ERA of 4.03 is far less impressive and is more in line with the 3.86 ERA he recorded in college. The Braves own a team OPS of 0.941 against lefties this year, better than the 0.725 they own against righties.
Atlanta’s own starting pitcher, Charlie Morton, could struggle on Monday against an effective Rangers offense. Morton owns a 3.32 ERA and ranks a lowly fourth in Atlanta’s rotation in FiveThirtyEight’s rolling game score with a grade of 53.2. He has given up a first-inning run in only two of his seven starts but has faced only one offense with a team OPS comparable to Texas’. So while we’re likely relying on the Braves to cash today’s YRFI bet, the Rangers also have a chance to deliver.
Let’s lock this Yes Run First Inning (YRFI) wager at -115 (53.5%) via DraftKings Sportsbook. Pinnacle, a sharp book, has this YRFI bet priced at -126 (55.8%). Those yet to register at DraftKings can score $150 in bonus bets by winning a $5 moneyline wager!
Best Yes Run First Inning (YRFI) Bet: Braves-Rangers -105 at DraftKings
