Vreeland also advised taking the NRFI at -140 in Mariners vs Astros. He noted Seattle has cooled off with just 13 total runs over its last four games (3.25 per game) and now runs into Framber Valdez, who has struck out 22 batters in his last 22 innings while sporting a 2.05 ERA in that stretch. Houston’s lineup has been the league’s worst at plating first-inning runs (0.22 per game), and Bryan Woo’s 2.65 ERA plus three outings of one run or fewer in his last four starts gives Vreeland confidence the Astros will stay quiet early. Combining Valdez’s form, Woo’s consistency, and historically poor first-inning production from Houston, he expects another scoreless opening frame.

Daniel Vreeland recommended an NRFI at -135 for Rangers vs White Sox. He pointed to Jonathan Cannon's 3.76 ERA and recent jump in strikeouts (9 Ks over 11 innings in his last two starts) as a reason Texas, the league’s 27th-ranked offense at just 3.31 runs per game, is unlikely to score early. On the flip side, Jack Leiter has quietly settled in with a 2.77 ERA across his last 13 innings and faces a White Sox lineup even worse than Texas, averaging only 3.29 runs. With two improving young arms and two bottom-three lineups, Vreeland believes the first frame stays scoreless.

Daniel “Gumby” Vreeland picked Yadier DelValle to win but advised bettors to fade his –435 money-line because of clear cardio red flags. Vreeland reviewed DelValle’s Contender Series tape and saw the Cuban prospect gas badly in Round 3, dropping his hands and inviting a brawl. While Connor Matthews has been knocked out twice, Vreeland noted the American’s solid gas tank and underrated grappling—five career submissions and a 53 percent takedown success rate—that could expose DelValle if he fades late. Given Matthews’ live path via early takedowns and accumulated damage from DelValle’s porous defense when tired, Vreeland labeled the favorite a parlay killer and suggested a complete pass or a tiny stab at Matthews by submission instead of swallowing the juice.

Daniel “Gumby” Vreeland said the market is sleeping on Jared Gordon because two judging blunders hide how well he is actually performing. Vreeland argued Gordon clearly out-pointed Paddy Pimblett and Nasrat Haqparast, and if those decisions had gone his way we would be talking about a 4-0 run with a no-contest rather than a 1-2 stretch. Even without the imaginary wins, Gordon owns a +1.78 significant-strike differential and nearly doubles Tiago Moises’ output, while Moises has been out-landed by opponents at a −1.62 clip. Vreeland expects Gordon’s constant pace, improved boxing and solid takedown defense to neutralize Moises’ jiu-jitsu threat, making Gordon worth backing at near-pick’em odds or as a small favorite.

Daniel “Gumby” Vreeland said Tecia Pennington is still an elite point-fighter despite the name change and recent layoff, making her a justified −345 favorite. He pointed to Pennington’s 10-2 record in decisions, the hand-speed edge she showed even in competitive losses to Loopy Godinez and Tabatha Ricci, and her 64% takedown-defense rate that neutralized Ricci’s judo. Gumby emphasized that Luana Pinheiro’s three-fight skid coincided with opponents refusing to be bullied in the clinch; Pinheiro’s last UFC takedown landed in April 2023. With Pinheiro’s control-heavy style blunted, Vreeland expects a typical Pennington stick-and-move striking performance and advised betting her by decision to squeeze extra value out of a hefty money-line.

Daniel “Gumby” Vreeland urged bettors to lay the chalk on Denise Gomes or stick her in parlays, predicting a stoppage against Elise Reed. Vreeland dismissed Reed’s reputation for toughness, arguing it backfires versus a power puncher who thrives on extended exchanges. He pointed to Gomes’ knock-out of Bruna Brazil and a +1.44 significant-strike differential built on 6.1 strikes landed per minute as proof she can melt durable opponents. Reed, meanwhile, owns just a +0.35 differential and has never defended better than 46 percent of her opponent’s strikes. With Gomes seven years younger, more athletic and facing an opponent who “takes punches for a living,” Vreeland expects multiple clean right hands to find Reed’s chin and cash either the money-line or inside-the-distance prop.

Daniel “Gumby” Vreeland backed Carlos Hernandez at +145, calling him the grittiest underdog on the prelims. He argued Hernandez’s losses came only to elite flyweight wrestlers Tatsuro Taira and Allan Nascimento, yet Hernandez still stuffed multiple takedowns in both bouts and held Taira to a career-low 2:47 of control time. Park, by contrast, owns just a 27% takedown accuracy and has not fought since December 2023, leaving questions about form after an eight-month layoff. Gumby likes Hernandez’s hand speed, noting a +0.47 strike differential built against better competition, and expects Hernandez to keep the fight standing long enough to win a volume-heavy decision. He suggested sprinkling the decision prop for a juicier return.

Vreeland advised betting a first-inning shutout in Royals vs Orioles, banking on both starters’ form. Tomoyuki Sugano enters with a 3.00 ERA and is fresh off his best MLB outing—a five-inning, eight-strikeout blanking of the Yankees. Kansas City owns the league’s worst home-run rate (30th in dingers per game), so if Sugano keeps the ball in the yard Vreeland expects three quick outs. On the flip side, Kris Bubic sports a sparkling 2.25 ERA and has held foes under three earned in five of six starts. Baltimore’s offense ranks 18th at just 4.0 runs per game, giving Bubic a soft landing in the bottom half. With both pitchers flashing recent dominance and neither lineup scaring early, Vreeland labeled the NRFI (price TBD) his preferred play.

Daniel Vreeland recommended playing the No-Runs-First-Inning at ‑120 in Oakland vs Miami, leaning heavily on the arms of Max Meyer and Osvaldo Bido. Vreeland noted Meyer’s 3.18 season ERA would look even better if not for one rough outing; before that stumble he had surrendered only three earned runs across three starts. The bigger selling point is the strikeout heater: 28 Ks in his last 16.0 innings, suggesting he can bypass Oakland’s below-average lineup before contact even happens. On the back end of the frame, Bido has limited opponents to two or fewer earned runs in five of six starts and has logged 7-plus punch-outs in four straight. Miami’s offense is bottom-third in first-inning scoring, so Vreeland sees little danger of an early crooked number. All those factors combine for what he calls a "juicy" NRFI wager.

Daniel Vreeland backed a No-Runs-First-Inning (+105) in Reds–Rockies despite the Coors Field homer narrative. He pointed to Colorado starter Ryan Feltner’s 2.45 ERA and 11 K in 11 home innings along with only one outing above two earned runs in five starts (that lone blemish came against the Dodgers, a much scarier lineup than Cincinnati). On the other side, Nick Lodolo owns a tidy 2.79 ERA and has surrendered fewer than one homer per appearance. Colorado’s lineup ranks 22nd in long balls per game (0.88) even with the altitude boost. Vreeland concluded the combination of two in-form arms and a Rockies offense that rarely leaves the yard makes the plus-odds NRFI worth a play.

Daniel Vreeland recommended a No-Runs-First-Inning wager (-140) in Rangers–Giants, citing a perfect storm of punchless bats and swing-and-miss stuff. Giants starter Jordan Hicks still flashes an upper-90s heater and racks up strikeouts, and his recent damage came against elite lineups (Phillies, Yankees). The Rangers are the opposite, ranking dead last in MLB at 3.11 runs per game and scraping together just 2.33 over their past three contests. Texas counters with top prospect Jack Leiter, who returns from a finger issue after opening the season with 10 scoreless innings, one total run allowed, and 10 strikeouts. San Francisco has plated only one first-inning run in its last four games and sits league-average in that split overall. Vreeland believes the matchup of two high-strikeout arms versus sputtering first-inning offenses justifies laying the juice on NRFI.

Vreeland doubled down on a second NRFI, grabbing -125 in the Rangers-Athletics nightcap. His confidence hinges on Jacob deGrom flashing classic form last time out, limiting the Dodgers to one run across seven innings while striking out seven with just one walk. The matchup also features rookie J.T. Ginn, who has surrendered only four runs in 10 innings (3.60 ERA) and has yet to give up a run before recording six outs in either of his first two MLB starts. Vreeland pointed out that Globe Life Park’s temporary replacement, Sutter Health Park, plays pitcher-friendly and that Texas has been feast-or-famine early while Oakland’s recent surge has been driven by later-inning rallies. With an experienced ace and a quietly steady rookie both likely to cruise through the top of the order, he sees little value in sweating a YRFI and instead rides the NRFI to close out the slate.

Daniel Vreeland backed the NRFI at -130 for Thursday’s matinee in Fenway, hanging his hat on Garrett Crochet’s blistering start to 2025. The newly-acquired southpaw owns a 1.13 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 32 innings and has yet to allow a first-inning run all season. Vreeland noted that while Seattle ranks top-10 in overall runs scored, they remain below league average in first-inning scoring percentage, easing concerns about Julio Rodriguez and company jumping on Crochet early. On the other side, Bryan Woo brings a 3.13 ERA and a heavy pitch-to-contact approach that plays well against a Boston lineup averaging only 1.0 home run per game. With both arms profiling as early-inning stoppers and each offense lacking a history of fast starts, Vreeland labeled the NRFI the best way to attack this matchup.

Daniel Vreeland recommended the NRFI at -125 for Guardians‑Pirates, leaning on dominant opening‑frame profiles for both starters. Paul Skenes owns a sub‑3.00 ERA and has allowed more than two runs only once all season, while Cleveland’s bats have cooled to 17th in overall scoring (4.11 runs/game) and 19th in first‑inning scoring (0.42). Ben Lively, despite being the lesser‑known arm, has yet to permit a run in either the first or second inning this year. Pittsburgh’s offense should cooperate—they average just 0.24 first‑inning runs (27th in MLB). With both clubs struggling to strike early and two starters who excel their first trip through the order, Vreeland sees strong value in a scoreless first.

Daniel Vreeland laid out a case for betting the No Runs First Inning prop at -130 in Seattle‑Toronto. He pointed to Jose Berrios’ recent bounce‑back stretch—12.2 IP, only 3 ER combined against Boston and Washington—as evidence that he can quiet a Seattle lineup that sits just ahead of Washington and well behind Boston in season‑long run production. On the flip side, Logan Gilbert brings a 2.38 ERA into Saturday and has surrendered more than one earned run in just one of four starts. Vreeland cited league‑wide data (the Pirates’ 0.35 first‑inning runs average was mistakenly referenced but underscores how low‑scoring he expects the frame to be) and the improved pitching matchup compared to Friday’s series opener to justify the NRFI play.

Daniel Vreeland likes Bryan Woo's performance early in games as a reason to bet on NRFI (No Run First Inning) against the Texas Rangers. He noted that Texas has struggled offensively, ranking just 27th in MLB in runs per game, scoring in their first inning in only one of their previous five games. Woo has proven he can consistently pitch clean innings early, keeping opponents scoreless through three innings in both his outings this season. Vreeland believes Woo will comfortably record the necessary first inning outs to secure the NRFI bet.

Daniel Vreeland expressed confidence in Martin Perez's early-season form, noting Perez's excellent start to the year with only one run allowed through 12.1 innings along with 13 strikeouts. He expects Perez to continue his success against a Red Sox offense that has been average in generating first-inning runs. This strong pitching combined with Chicago's weak offense (ranked 24th in MLB in total runs scored) provides solid reasoning for an NRFI (No Run First Inning) wager for this game.

Daniel Vreeland recommended sticking with the NRFI (No Run First Inning) wager on the Rangers vs Mariners matchup, despite the prior night's unsuccessful outcome when the Mariners scored off Jacob deGrom early. He noted that Seattle's first-inning scoring has still been scarce (only three times all year). Kumar Rocker improved substantially after his rough season-opener, limiting the Rays to just one run in five innings and importantly avoiding walks. Vreeland sees Rocker's improved control and Seattle’s continued struggles as indicators for a successful NRFI bet.

Daniel Vreeland highlighted the ineffectiveness of the Chicago White Sox offense, which ranks 24th in MLB in total runs and has cooled off after a hot start. Boston's Richard Fitts hasn't given up any first inning runs this season and has kept his team out of early trouble consistently thus far. Vreeland expects an easier first inning for Fitts against the struggling Chicago lineup, making the NRFI (No Run First Inning) a strong play.

Daniel Vreeland identifies a clear betting value on the No Runs First Inning (NRFI) prop in Athletics vs Rockies. Colorado starter German Marquez pitched impressively in his first game against the Phillies, completing six shutout innings and allowing only four hits. The Athletics' poor and below-average offense makes it even more likely Marquez continues this streak. On the opposite side, Athletics pitcher JP Sears showed solid form last time out, recording 6.2 innings with seven strikeouts and minimal run damage until a late-inning home run by Julio Rodriguez. Given the relative inferiority of the Rockies lineup compared to Rodriguez and Seattle, Vreeland expects Sears to keep Colorado scoreless early, making the NRFI prop a strong play.

Daniel Vreeland advocates strongly for a No Runs First Inning (NRFI) bet between the Rays and Rangers based heavily on the pitching matchup in the first inning. Jacob deGrom looked dominant in his inaugural outing against a tough Red Sox offense, allowing just four baserunners over five scoreless innings, posting six strikeouts. Vreeland emphasized the Rays' lineup as notably weaker and cooling off offensively, implying a skill gap deGrom could exploit early. Additionally, Tampa's starter Taj Bradley showed reliability in his previous start, holding a relatively weak-hitting Rangers lineup in check until the fifth inning. The Rangers currently rank 28th in the MLB, managing just 2.9 runs per game, further bolstering the case for this NRFI pick.