How to Bet on Baseball

America’s pastime is the ultimate sport of the summer for sports bettors. With daily MLB games, a wide variety of wagering types available, and so many statistics that’ll make your head spin, betting on baseball can be daunting at first.

But we’re here to help you change that. On this page, we’ll teach you everything about how to bet on baseball. This MLB betting guide will explain key terms and betting strategies all while showing you examples of smart betting. Now step up to the plate and let’s get to it.

How to Read Baseball Odds

Understanding baseball odds is essential for successful betting, and the format is similar to what you’ll encounter when wagering on most sports. These odds use the standard American format, characterized by plus and minus signs that signify the underdog and favorite, respectively. The numbers accompanying these signs denote the amount you would win on a $100 bet for underdogs and the amount you need to wager to win $100 on the favorites.

Let’s illustrate this with an MLB example featuring the age-old rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. Suppose the Red Sox have odds of +150 and the Yankees have odds of -180. A $100 bet on the Red Sox (+150) would yield $150 in profit if they win, while a $180 wager on the Yankees (-180) would return $100 in profit if they emerge victorious.

How Do Sportsbooks Set Baseball Betting Lines?

Baseball betting lines are meticulously crafted by sportsbooks for MLB betting online, incorporating multiple factors to provide accurate odds. One fundamental element is analyzing past matchups, specifically how pitchers have performed against particular players and teams. Ballpark dimensions and elevation are also crucial, as they greatly influence scoring environments.

Injuries to key players can significantly impact the odds, particularly when star athletes are on the disabled list. Furthermore, sportsbooks rely on extensive advanced data that delves beyond surface-level statistics, predicting how teams and players are likely to perform in the future, even when current numbers might not reflect their true potential. It’s a comprehensive approach that combines historical data, ballpark-specific insights, and predictive analytics to establish accurate betting lines.

What Baseball Leagues Can You Bet on?

When it comes to baseball betting, it’s not just limited to MLB games at major US sportsbooks. These platforms often provide odds on college baseball, giving bettors diverse opportunities. International leagues are also in the mix, with options to bet on Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Korea’s KBO League, and Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL).

Moreover, major international tournaments, such as the World Baseball Classic, capture the attention of sports bettors, offering a chance to wager on the global stage. Baseball enthusiasts have a wide array of leagues and events to explore beyond MLB games, expanding the possibilities for baseball betting.

Baseball Sports Betting Examples

If you really want to understand how to bet on a baseball game, you’ll need to look at some concrete examples. Betting on MLB can involve a lot of different bet types, and the options can sometimes be overwhelming for new players.

To help you out as you get started, we’ve put together examples of the most popular types of bets you’re likely to come across, and how they work in a baseball setting.

Moneyline

In the world of baseball betting, the moneyline is a fundamental concept. Essentially, moneyline bets are all about picking the outright winner of a game. No need to worry about spreads or margins of victory, you’re just deciding which team will come out on top.

Let’s illustrate this with an example. Imagine a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Guardians. The odds for this matchup might look like this: Reds +120, Guardians -150. In this scenario, the minus sign in front of the Guardians’ odds indicates they’re the favorites. To win $100 betting on Cleveland you’d need to wager $150. On the other hand, the plus sign next to the Reds signifies they’re the underdogs. A $100 bet on Cinci would yield $120 in profit if they win.

Run Line

The run line in baseball is a twist on the point spread, used primarily to balance the odds when there’s a clear favorite. While moneyline bets revolve around the outright winner, run line bets focus on the margin of victory.

In a typical run line bet, one team will be favored while the other is the underdog. The favorite is typically given a -1.5 run handicap, meaning they need to win by at least two runs to cover the run line. Conversely, the underdog is given a +1.5 run cushion, meaning they can lose by one run and you’d still win your bet if you backed them.

For instance, consider a matchup between the Houston Astros (-1.5) and the Texas Rangers (+1.5). If you bet on the Astros, they need to win by two or more runs. If you wager on the Rangers, they can either win the game or lose by just one run for your bet to be successful.

First Five Innings

First five innings betting focuses on a more specific aspect of baseball games, honing in on just the first half of the contest. Here, you’re wagering on which team will be ahead after the initial five innings, excluding the results of the full game. This narrows the scope of the bet and makes it an enticing option for bettors who believe they have an edge in predicting the effectiveness of starting pitchers.

Imagine a game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals. You decide to place a first five innings bet on the Cubs. If, after the initial five innings, the Cubs are leading or tied with the Cardinals, your bet is a winner, regardless of the final score of the game. It’s a method to zero in on the early game dynamics without the need to be concerned about how the rest of the match unfolds.

Parlays

Parlays are a fun way to combine multiple bets into a single, potentially high-reward wager. They’re like the accumulators of the sports betting world. In a baseball parlay, you select multiple events, such as the outcomes of different games or specific player performances, and bundle them together into one bet.

Let’s construct a baseball parlay with three legs. First, you bet on the Seattle Mariners to win against the Oakland Athletics. Next, you predict that Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees will hit a home run in their game. Lastly, you’re counting on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw to strike out at least seven batters in his start.

Each of these bets carries its own odds. By parlaying them together, you create an opportunity for much larger potential returns. However, there’s a catch with parlays: all the bets within the parlay must be correct for you to win. If even one of them fails, your entire parlay bet loses.

Futures

Futures betting in baseball involves placing bets on events that are relatively distant in the future and may take a considerable amount of time to resolve. Think of these wagers as an intriguing way to invest in long-term outcomes.

You could place a futures bet on the Chicago Cubs to win the National League Central division. This bet is made well before the division winner is determined, sometimes even before the regular season begins. Futures bets can also encompass other significant awards, such as Most Valuable Player (MVP), Cy Young, or the ultimate goal in baseball – the World Series.

Props

Rather than fixating on the final game outcome, prop bets drill down into specific player or team performances within the event.

Let’s say you’re eyeing an upcoming game between the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants. Jeff McNeil, a key player for the Mets, has demonstrated a knack for racking up hits in ballparks with vast outfields, such as AT&T Park.

With a prop bet, you could wager on McNeil getting two or more hits during this specific game. These types of bets provide a closer look at player strengths and weaknesses, pitching matchups, and other factors that might not be as prominent in standard game outcome betting. Prop bets can be highly specific, making them both strategic and entertaining.

Live Betting

Unlike conventional betting, where you lock in your wagers before the game commences, live betting enables you to place bets in real-time during the match.

Imagine you’re watching a game featuring the San Diego Padres and their star hitter, Juan Soto. He’s been having a tough night at the plate, struggling to connect with pitches. However, in the current inning, the opposing team brings in a reliever known for pitching aggressively over the middle of the plate, precisely where Soto excels.

In this scenario, you might decide to place a small bet on Juan Soto hitting an extra-base hit in his upcoming at-bat. Live betting allows you to respond promptly to changing game dynamics and take advantage of favorable moments.

Baseball Betting Tips

Now that you have a solid understanding of the types of bets you can make on baseball, it’s time to go over some insider knowledge that will give you a head start on your betting journey. These aren’t surefire cash cows, but just some general pieces of advice that our own baseball betting experts use when making their picks.

If you want to know how to win money betting on baseball, take a minute and read these seven baseball betting tips.

Go Beyond Surface Level Stats

Classic baseball stats, such as batting average and home runs, might be the go-to for casual fans, but they often fail to provide deeper insights for sports bettors. To gain a better understanding of a player’s future performance, delve into advanced statistics that go beyond the surface.

For hitters, look at metrics like BABiP (Batting Average on Balls in Play) and barrel rate, which offer more nuanced insights into a player’s skills, taking luck and happenstance into account. For pitchers, stats like FiP (Fielding Independent Pitching) and fly-ball rate are key indicators of actual performance, allowing you to make more informed betting choices.

Don’t Forget About the Ballpark

It’s easy to overlook the significant influence that ballparks have on baseball games. Different stadiums can heavily favor either hitters or pitchers, impacting the outcome. For instance, venues like the Colorado Rockies’ Coors Field are known for inflating offensive statistics, producing a multitude of home runs. In contrast, ballparks like the San Diego Padres’ Petco Park tend to be pitcher-friendly, limiting scoring opportunities

Dig even deeper, and you’ll find parks that boost extra-base hitters and those that support groundball pitchers. Understanding how ballparks affect player performance is a valuable asset for handicapping baseball.

Keep the Little Things In Mind

While stats and matchups are crucial, other subtle factors can tip the scales in a baseball game. Weather elements like rain delays or wind speed can affect the trajectory of the ball. Umpire tendencies might favor or hinder specific pitchers. Exceptional catcher framing can elevate mediocre pitchers to remarkable numbers. Taking these subtleties into account allows you to make well-informed bets and gain a competitive edge in baseball betting.

Don’t Blindly Follow Trends

Betting on baseball is not about blindly following trends, star players, or popular teams. Instead of getting swayed by the narrative or emotional impulses, approach betting with a rational mindset focused on smart financial decisions. Objectively analyze the situation and seek out potential profit opportunities. Rely on analytics, research, and reason to guide your betting decisions, rather than succumbing to hype or emotions. Successful baseball betting is all about informed, data-driven choices.

Divisional Underdogs are Your Friend

When it comes to baseball betting, divisional underdogs can often be your golden ticket. There’s an analytical edge when considering underdogs, especially in matchups against divisional rivals. Teams that frequently face each other within the same division develop a unique familiarity that can lead to unexpected outcomes. Combining this insider knowledge with solid analytical groundwork can significantly increase your chances of accurately predicting divisional upsets.

Consider Individual Matchups

While team-vs-team matchups are a fundamental aspect of baseball handicapping, going deeper into individual pitcher-hitter matchups can reveal hidden betting opportunities. Look for key one-on-one duels where one side holds a significant advantage.

These insights are invaluable when making informed prop bets. Additionally, don’t limit your focus to starting pitchers; identifying advantageous reliever matchups opens doors for strategic live betting opportunities as games unfold.

Always Explore Your Options

One vital rule in baseball betting is to avoid limiting yourself to a single sportsbook. Maintaining accounts on multiple sports betting platforms offers distinct advantages. Firstly, it allows you to capitalize on various bonuses and promotions, ultimately saving you money in the long run. Secondly, having access to multiple sportsbooks ensures that you consistently find the best lines for your bets, enhancing your overall betting experience and success.