Monday's MLB games feature key YRFI and NRFI betting opportunities, starting at 4:10 p.m. ET. Notable matchups include the Cubs-Phillies and Mets-Dodgers.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 13: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on July 13, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
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Monday brings a big MLB slate that has a 4:10 p.m. ET first pitch. There are some notable names taking the hill, and some intriguing YRFI (Yes Runs First Inning) and NRFI (No Runs First Inning) bets to consider.
With that in mind, let’s dive into three such potentially profitable scenarios for today’s games:
The Cubs and Phillies begin a three-game series Monday evening with a Javier Assad-Cristopher Sanchez matchup, and while the projected total is a somewhat elevated 8.0 runs, we should have a good chance at scoreless first inning given the overall body of work of both starters.
Assad has logged just one start so far this season, allowing just one hit over 5.2 scoreless innings to the Rays while recording a 3:2 K:BB. In seven opening frames a season ago, Assad pitched to a 1.29 ERA and .192 BAA, allowing just a single run to the 27 batters he faced.
Assad holds a solid 3.60 ERA in the first inning overall in his career and has held hitters to a .160 average with runners in scoring position over his big-league tenure as well, so his history of both early-game success and wiggling out of trouble is fairly well established at this point.
This AL West series opener features a starting pitching matchup that’s not short on name value. Nathan Eovaldi and Luis Severino take the hill for the visitors and hosts, respectively, and both veteran arms are looking to right the ship after what have been rocky starts to the season.
Eovaldi authored a career-best season at age 35 in 2025, posting a career-low 1.73 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across 22 starts. However, his first two turns this season seemed to suggest that may have been a significant outlier, as he pitched to an 11.42 ERA, 2.19 WHIP and 3.1 HR/9 over 8.2 innings in road matchups against the Phillies and Orioles. Eovaldi then went a long way to getting the train back on track his most recent time on the mound, as he generated a six-inning quality start against the Mariners at home.
The right-hander’s swing-and-miss stuff has also been in good form even in his rocky outings, as he has 19 strikeouts over 14.2 innings. However, he also has a very spotty history against current A’s bats, surrendering a collective .300 average and .812 OPS to them in 54 career plate appearances. Eovaldi’s also scuffled badly in the first inning so far, pitching to a 9.00 ERA and .400 BAA over his trio of opening frames.
The Mets and Dodgers open a three-game set out west Monday night with a pitching matchup that has the potential to encourage some offensive fireworks. David Peterson, who’s struggled to recapture his strong 2025 form in the early going, faces off with Justin Wrobleski, who does have a 1-0 mark but has experienced control issues early.
Peterson did open the season in fine fashion, as he blanked the Pirates over 5.1 innings on March 28. However, the left-hander has hit the wall over his subsequent pair of turns, allowing a 9.64 ERA and 2.04 WHIP across 9.1 innings to the Giants and Diamondbacks. Peterson’s advanced metrics suggest he might have been a tad unlucky so far – he carries 4.82 xERA that’s a slight improvement over his 6.14 base figure – but he’s still also sporting a .283 xBA and .347 xwOBA.
Peterson now faces a loaded Dodgers squad whose current hitters have tagged him for a collective .325 average and .911 OPS over 120 career encounters, and who have laced 12 of their 37 hits against him for extra bases. Los Angeles also has the best record in baseball at 11-5, and the back-to-back champs lead the NL with 91 runs overall.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
The best YRFI bets for Monday's MLB games include matchups like the Cubs-Phillies and Mets-Dodgers.
Monday's MLB games start at 4:10 p.m. ET.
Notable NRFI bets for Monday involve teams like the Cubs and Phillies, as well as the Mets and Dodgers.
NRFI stands for 'No Runs First Inning' and YRFI stands for 'Yes Runs First Inning' in MLB betting.
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