As we celebrate Independence Day, MLB betting enthusiasts have a full slate of games to enjoy. This July 4, 2025, NRFI (No Runs First Inning) betting tips focus on five matchups that promise excitement and profit potential. The Cincinnati Reds face the Philadelphia Phillies, where Andrew Abbott, boasting a perfect 14-0 NRFI record, squares off against Jesus Luzardo. The Angels take on the Blue Jays in a game expected to deliver runs early, with Toronto's offense in top form. Baltimore’s Charlie Morton aims for his fourth NRFI in a row against an underperforming Braves lineup, while the Tigers look to capitalize on the Guardians' struggles. Lastly, a late game between the Giants and Athletics presents an opportunity to take on plus odds with two pitchers who have excelled at keeping runs off the board. Bet wisely and enjoy a day filled with fireworks on and off the field!

As fantasy baseball enthusiasts prepare for Week 15, several prospects have emerged as prime candidates to stash on benches or NA spots. Notable promotions from the minors include Colby Thomas, Harry Ford, and Colson Montgomery, all making their major league debuts recently.

Among the top prospects to watch, Samuel Basallo of the Baltimore Orioles has continued to shine, boasting a 147 WRC+ with 16 home runs. Despite injuries plaguing the Orioles' catcher position, Basallo remains uncalled. Meanwhile, Carson Williams of the Tampa Bay Rays is showing promise with 14 home runs and 14 stolen bases but is still working through adjustments at Triple-A. Moises Ballesteros of the Cubs has shown flashes of potential but needs opportunities to cement his role. Lastly, Chase DeLauter and Kristian Campbell are making strong cases for call-ups, with the Guardians and Red Sox potentially in need of their offensive contributions soon.

The Cleveland Guardians were swept by the Chicago Cubs in a tightly contested series, culminating in a 1-0 loss in 10 innings on July 3. Matt Shaw's sacrifice fly clinched the victory for the Cubs, who managed only three hits but capitalized on a pivotal error by the Guardians. Cleveland's struggles continued as they recorded their seventh consecutive loss, having scored only 12 runs in that span.

Joey Cantillo put forth a commendable effort for the Guardians, pitching 3⅓ scoreless innings with five strikeouts in his season debut. However, the Guardians failed to capitalize on their opportunities, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranding eight runners. This lack of offensive production highlights the team's ongoing struggles as they aim to turn things around.

Baseball's drama is once again in the spotlight as the Cleveland Guardians face a potential scandal involving pitcher Luis Ortiz, who has been placed on leave amid a gambling investigation that suggests he might have intentionally thrown pitches. Meanwhile, Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly have raised allegations against the Cincinnati Reds, claiming their home pitching mound is illegal, thus providing an unfair advantage.

Kelly pointed out the mound's unusual height and how it contrasts sharply with what players encounter in other stadiums. Gallen's statistics from a recent outing against the Reds support his argument, as he recorded his lowest pitch release and extension marks, suggesting the mound might be less steep and affecting his performance. The debate over mound regulations could impact the Reds' roster decisions moving forward, as they may favor pitchers who perform well on their altered mound.

The Seattle Mariners are currently embroiled in a significant gambling investigation by Major League Baseball, sparked by incidents involving Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz. On June 15, during a game against the Mariners, Ortiz's first pitch in the bottom of the second inning was flagged for its notable betting activity, which saw wagers placed on whether it would be a ball or hit batsman. The pitch was a slider that missed the strike zone markedly, leading to alerts from a betting-integrity firm.

This type of betting, known as microbetting, is increasingly popular, especially in states like Ohio, New York, and New Jersey, where betting on specific outcomes such as first pitches is permitted. Further scrutiny has been placed on Ortiz following another similar incident on June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals. As a precautionary measure during the investigation, Ortiz has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through the All-Star Break.