Learn the fundamentals of baseball betting, including an explanation of baseball odds and tips and methods to help you become a more knowledgeable MLB bettor.
Baseball betting is extremely popular among both casual fans and die-hard seam heads for several reasons.
For starters, it is one of the only professional sports that takes place over the summer, from late spring to the postseason in October. During that time, the calendar is packed every day, with clubs playing up to six or seven games each week.
Baseball is also a numbers game, with stats tracking every game, inning, and at-bat. As a result, baseball bettors have a wealth of information to draw upon when wagering on MLB odds.
How Does Baseball Betting Work?
Baseball betting is one of the most accessible sports betting markets to grasp.
Because baseball is a low-scoring sport and a high number of games are decided by one run, the favored form of baseball betting is simply picking the winner outright, often known as betting the moneyline.
Another common and simple baseball bet is to wager on the total number of runs scored by both teams in the game, generally known as the Over/Under.
Here are the three most common methods of baseball betting.
Moneyline Betting
The moneyline is a set of odds for a baseball game based on the implied likelihood of victory for each side.
These are often displayed in American odds (hundreds), with a negative value (-) denoting the favorite and a positive value (+) denoting the underdog. The moneyline is bet by betting on the team you believe will win; however, because some teams are better than others, the amount of money you can win is determined by the risk involved.
For example, the moneyline for the favorite to win the game is -150. That means that for every $1 you want to win, you must spend $1.50 because the risk is lower because the favorite has a higher chance of winning the game. A $150 wager at -150 offers a possible win of $100.
If the underdog has a moneyline of +130 for that game, it indicates that for every $1 you bet, you can gain $1.30, because the risk is larger because the underdog has a lower probability of winning the game. A $100 bet at +130 offers a potential win of $130.
Using our simple odds converter and moneyline calculator, you can find out how much money you could win.
The Run Line Betting
Baseball’s version of the spread is the run line, in which the amount of runs is marked as a handicap between the two clubs. The most common run line is 1.5, with the favorite at -1.5 and the underdog at +1.5.
That is, the favorite must win by two runs or more in order to cover the run line, whereas the underdog can win outright or lose by fewer than two runs in order to cover the run line. A set of odds known as the juice or vig is attached to each team’s run line. This is the cost of betting on the run line.
For example, if a run line favorite is -1.5 and the juice is +150, the bet is displayed as -1.5 (+150). That means you might make $1.50 for every $1 wager on the -1.5 run line. The underdog on the run line is +1.5, with a juice of -170 represented as +1.5. (-170). That indicates that for every $1 you wish to win on +1.5, you must bet $1.70.
Over/Under Betting In baseball
over/under betting is immensely popular with oddsmakers, who set a projected total of combined runs scored in a game by both teams and gamblers choose whether the final score will go Over or Under that total.
Both the Over and Under have odds associated to them, which are known as juice or vig. The juice is determined by the implied likelihood of the final score going Over or Under the total.
For example, if a game’s total is 8.5 runs, the Over 8.5 (-120) and Under 8.5 (+100) are both available. Because the ultimate score is more likely to be 9 runs or more, the Over has a -120 juice, which indicates that for every $1 you wish to win, you must risk $1.20. Because the likelihood of a final score of 8 or fewer runs is lower, the Under is set at +100, which means you win $1 for every $1 staked.
There are four more methods to gamble on baseball
1. Parlays
MLB parlays combine two or more baseball bets into a single wager. Moneyline, run line, and Over/Under bets can all be included in the parlay. The bigger the number of bets in a parlay, the greater the possible win, but the greater the danger
MLB parlays must pay out if all of the bets involved win. Even if only one of the bets in the MLB parlay fails, the entire parlay is considered a failure.
2. odds for the first five innings
Betting on first five innings odds in baseball is comparable to betting on moneylines, run lines, or Over/Unders for the entire game; however, the bets are graded based on the results of the first five innings.
Betting on the first five innings odds is a terrific method to extract more value from beginning pitchers while avoiding late-game bullpen disasters.
3. proposition bets
MLB prop bets are created by betting on clubs and players rather than the actual score. Prop bets can be placed on individual team performance, such as a team’s overall amount of runs or hits in a game, as well as individual pitcher and batter performance.
Prop bets can be a fun alternative to more typical betting options, and many sportsbooks provide a large selection of proposition betting markets.
4. Futures
MLB futures are long-term market odds, such as odds to win the World Series, league pennants, or division winners. MLB futures can also be based on season win totals and player awards like as the MVP and Cy Young.
Most MLB futures odds open for betting in the offseason and remain active throughout the season, adjusting to results, injuries, and betting activity until the market is closed by the sportsbook or the result is determined.
Baseball betting techniques and tips
These are some fundamental baseball betting tactics and suggestions to use when handicapping MLB chances.
Pitching Matchups and Odds
MLB starting pitchers are the most important component in determining baseball Moneylines, run lines, and totals.
Baseball oddsmakers will consider both starters’ current form, home/away results, previous performances versus that opponent, and how they match up with the present hitting lineup (vs. left- and right-handed batters).
Check out today’s MLB matches.
Consensus and public betting
Consensus depicts a game’s general betting patterns, displaying the percentage of bets on either side. For example, if there are 500 total bets on an Over/Under for a game and 350 are on the Over, there is a 70% consensus on the Over for that game.
The term “public betting” refers to the patterns of recreational bettors, most typically when the percentage is large on one side.
Check out today’s MLB consensus.
Betting patterns
Baseball betting trends are repeated results from game to game or in specific situations that can assist you place your bets. These patterns can be league-wide or team-specific. The best betting trends have higher sample numbers and a story or rationale for their recurring results.
For example, teams may have betting trends based on their Over/Under performances for home and away games, indoor vs. outdoor venues, and trends based on the opposition starting pitcher’s throwing hand.
View the most recent MLB betting trends.
Take note of the weather
Wind speed and direction are factors that bettors consider when placing Over/Under wagers. Fly balls can be carried over the fence by high winds going toward the outfield, while strong winds flowing toward home plate can keep balls inside the park.
Rain can make the ball difficult for pitchers and fielders to handle. However, if it is pouring heavily, games are frequently postponed.
Humidity might also influence the final score. Fly balls float in the air and go farther in humid climes, especially in late summer.
Check out today’s MLB weather
Understand the umpires
When it comes to calling balls and strikes, every home plate umpire has their preferences. Umpires with smaller strike zones call more balls, resulting in more walks and forcing pitchers to be more accurate. When the strike zone is small, look for Over outcomes.
Larger strike zones aid the pitcher by calling fewer balls. When the strike zone is more liberal, look for Under outcomes.
Check out today’s MLB umpires.
Keep an eye out for the injury bug
When betting on baseball, it is critical to keep track on injuries. Injuries are another major aspect that might change the odds on a game during the day.
While starting pitchers are the most essential component in MLB odds, losing key lineup players, important relievers, or a regular position starter can all impact a game’s outcome. Bettors will want to look at the value of those injured players and whether or not it is represented in the odds.
Check out today’s MLB injuries.
Are you ready to put a wager?
Depending on your level of comfort with baseball betting, you may either enter one of Covers’ free-to-play tournaments for a chance to win cash and prizes, or you can begin putting real money MLB bets at the OKBET Sports Betting. Register Now!
