The MLB betting landscape is buzzing with excitement as top matchups unfold on July 2, 2025. Following a successful no-runs-first-inning (NRFI) betting night, there are six standout NRFI picks to consider today. Key matchups include the St. Louis Cardinals facing the Pittsburgh Pirates, where pitchers Sonny Gray and Mitch Keller are set to take the mound. Gray, boasting an impressive 12-4 NRFI record this season, aims to maintain his form after a complete game shutout against the Guardians. Keller, with a solid 12-5 NRFI record, presents a tough challenge. Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres face off against the Philadelphia Phillies in a doubleheader, with Nick Pivetta and rookie Mick Abel pitching. Pivetta, also 12-4 on NRFIs this year, is expected to shine. The betting community is closely monitoring these games, considering weather conditions and lineup changes that could impact outcomes.

On July 1, 2025, the MLB betting scene was dominated by No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks. The previous night yielded a 3-2 record, with the biggest disappointment stemming from Chase Burns of the Boston Red Sox allowing seven runs in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds. The Athletics almost edged out a 4-1 success with a three-run homer from Shea Langeliers, showcasing the volatility of first-inning betting. Today’s slate featured five strong NRFI bets, including matchups such as the San Diego Padres vs. Philadelphia Phillies, the St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates, and more.

Key highlights included Padres' Nick Pivetta, boasting a solid 3.36 ERA and a strong NRFI record, facing the Phillies' Cristopher Sánchez, whose changeup has been effective against right-handed batters. Meanwhile, Paul Skenes, the Pirates' ace with a perfect 17-0 NRFI record, is expected to keep the Cardinals in check. With elite pitchers taking the mound, bettors were advised to consider weather and lineups before placing wagers.

For today's DraftKings main slate, fantasy players need to prioritize pitchers and team stacks that offer the best chances for points. Among the high-priced pitchers, Chris Sale and Nick Pivetta stand out. Sale has shown consistent high strikeout rates, while Pivetta faces a Giants lineup that has struggled offensively. Value picks like Shane Baz and Cade Povich also appear appealing, particularly Povich's lower price compared to FanDuel.

Team stacking strategies should focus on the Twins, Mariners, and Tigers, targeting favorable matchups against underperforming pitchers. Key players include Ryan Jeffers and Carlos Correa for the Twins, Julio Rodriguez for the Mariners, and Spencer Torkelson for the Tigers. Notable hitter matchups to exploit include Paul Goldschmidt’s impressive history against his opponent.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (21-36) will face off against the San Diego Padres (31-23) today, May 30, with Mitch Keller on the mound for Pittsburgh and Nick Pivetta starting for San Diego. The Pirates are currently on a two-game winning streak, having secured four wins in their last six games, while the Padres recently ended their own three-game winning streak with a 10-8 loss to the Miami Marlins.

Keller, who has struggled in the past, is now 1-6 with a 3.66 ERA and showed improvement in his last outing, lasting six innings and allowing just one earned run. In contrast, Pivetta has been solid with a 5-2 record and a 2.72 ERA, also pitching six innings and yielding only one earned run in his latest start. This promising matchup sets the stage for an intriguing game.

Betting insights show the Pirates as +164 underdogs on the moneyline, while the Padres are favored at -197. The total runs are set at 7.0, with betting trends indicating the Padres have covered the run line in seven of their last nine matchups against the Pirates. For those looking for betting predictions, the advice is to favor the Padres on the moneyline, while leaning towards the Pirates at +1.5 on the spread and betting the over on 7.0 total runs.

Ronald Acuña Jr. made a spectacular return to the Atlanta Braves, blasting a 467-foot home run in his first game back after suffering an ACL injury last season. Acuña, the 2023 NL MVP, showcased his power by hitting a home run on his first pitch against Nick Pivetta of the San Diego Padres, although the Braves lost the game 2-1.

His return comes amid a challenging season for the Braves, who have struggled lately, and Acuña expressed frustration over missing time due to injury. Recently, he took to social media to criticize manager Brian Snitker but later deleted the post and apologized, emphasizing his commitment to the team and desire to contribute as they navigate through their struggles.