Cubs-Phillies, Mets-Dodgers Among Monday's Top NRFI/YRFI Bets

Check out three NRFI/YRFI bets to consider for Monday's big MLB slate.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:53pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball game in progress, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in a palette of navy, green, and orange, conveying the dynamic tension of the early innings.A cubist interpretation of the strategic battle between pitchers and hitters in the opening innings of a baseball game.Chicago Today

Monday's MLB slate features several intriguing NRFI (No Runs First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Runs First Inning) betting opportunities, including the Cubs-Phillies, Rangers-Athletics, and Mets-Dodgers matchups.

Why it matters

These NRFI and YRFI bets can provide profitable opportunities for sports bettors looking to capitalize on early-game scoring trends and starting pitcher matchups.

The details

In the Cubs-Phillies game, Cubs starter Javier Assad has a strong history of first-inning success, making the NRFI bet an attractive option. The Rangers-Athletics matchup features two veteran pitchers in Nathan Eovaldi and Luis Severino, both of whom have struggled early this season, suggesting the YRFI bet could pay off. And in the Mets-Dodgers game, Mets starter David Peterson has faced control issues and will be up against a potent Dodgers lineup, making the YRFI bet the recommended play.

  • The Cubs-Phillies game starts at 6:40 p.m. ET.
  • The Rangers-Athletics game starts at 9:40 p.m. ET.
  • The Mets-Dodgers game starts at 10:10 p.m. ET.

The players

Javier Assad

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher who has a strong history of first-inning success.

Cristopher Sanchez

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher facing the Cubs.

Nathan Eovaldi

Texas Rangers starting pitcher who is looking to bounce back after a rocky start to the season.

Luis Severino

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher who will face Eovaldi and the Rangers.

David Peterson

New York Mets starting pitcher who has struggled with control issues early this season.

Justin Wrobleski

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher facing the Mets.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Juan Carlos Blanco, Author

“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.”

— Juan Carlos Blanco, Author

“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.”

— Juan Carlos Blanco, Author

What’s next

As the season progresses, it will be important to monitor how these starting pitchers continue to perform, especially in the early innings, to identify any emerging trends that could inform future NRFI and YRFI betting opportunities.

The takeaway

Monday's MLB slate presents several intriguing NRFI and YRFI betting options, with the Cubs-Phillies, Rangers-Athletics, and Mets-Dodgers matchups offering potential value for sports bettors looking to capitalize on early-game scoring trends and starting pitcher matchups.