As NRFI bets grow in popularity, many sportsbooks are taking advantage by offering promotions centered around the bet.
One of the most prominent to hit the market this season is BetMGM's NRFI Fridays.
So, how does this promo work? You can place a No Run First Inning bet of up to $50 on any Friday MLB game. If your bet loses because exactly one run is scored in the first inning, you get your stake back in bonus bets, up to $50.
In order to bet this promotion, you first need to "Opt In" to the promo via BetMGM's sportsbook. You can place the NRFI bet by betting "No" on the "Will There Be a Run in the 1st Inning?" market. If your bet loses, but one run is scored during the first inning, you'll receive a bonus bet back equaling your stake, up to $50.
Bonus bets will be reflected once the wager is settled, and the offer is only available on Fridays.
During this MLB season, I've regularly been breaking down my favorite NRFI/YRFI bets, and below, I'll give out my favorite BetMGM-specific NRFI wager in which I'd recommend using this bonus wager on.
BetMGM MLB NRFI Friday Best Bet for August 18
Today was an easy choice. While there are a few NRFIs I'll be betting today, BetMGM is offering the best line on one of them — and it's the game I feel most confident in.
That's Game 1 between the Tigers and Guardians, which features Tarik Skubal and Gavin Williams on the mound. Through seven starts this season, Skubal has allowed just one run his first time through the order, good for an ERA of 0.52.
While that's obviously unsustainable, his xFIP of 1.73 still shows a dominant early-game pitcher. Additionally, the Guardians have been dreadful against left-handed pitching this season, ranking 29th in wRC+ at 78.
On the other side of this one, the Tigers are a well-below average offense taking on a pitcher in Williams with a 0.82 ERA against the top of the order. While he's been luckier than Skubal — his xFIP is 3.72 — those are still solid numbers over a considerably bigger sample size.
