How To Bet On Baseball: MLB Betting Guide
How to Bet on Baseball
Betting on baseball means choosing how you think a game will play out — and placing money on that prediction. The most common ways to bet include:
- Picking which team will win the game (called a moneyline bet).
- Betting on how many runs the teams will score together (called over/under or totals).
- Wagering on whether a team will win by a certain number of runs or keep the game close (called the run line, which is like a point spread in other sports).
These different options are called bet types — or sometimes “markets”, which just means the choices you have when betting.
To place a bet:
- Choose the bet type that fits how you think the game will go.
- Look at the odds — these show how much you can win and who the favorite is.
- Make your prediction and place your wager at a sportsbook or online betting site.
Pro tip: In baseball, starting pitchers, bullpens, and weather can make a big difference — so checking lineups, matchups, and stats before betting can give you an edge.
Types Of Baseball Bets: Baseball Betting Basics
Understanding the different types of baseball bets is key to building a winning strategy. Whether you’re new to MLB betting or looking to sharpen your skills, here are the most popular bet types to know:
Moneyline
Moneyline betting is wagering on the outright winner of a game. Odds are assigned to each team’s winning chances.
Example: A moneyline bet on a matchup between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays means betting on the baseball game winner (Yankees -130) or the underdog (Blue Jays +110). Risk $130 to win $100 with the favorite, or $100 to win $110 with the underdog.
Expert Tip:
We recommend being selective when placing bets on the moneyline and only betting on games with lines that give your side good value. With so many MLB games to choose from, you can be selective with your moneyline prices.Moneyline
Moneyline betting is wagering on the outright winner of a game. Odds are assigned to each team’s winning chances.
Example: A moneyline bet on a matchup between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays means betting on the baseball game winner (Yankees -130) or the underdog (Blue Jays +110). Risk $130 to win $100 with the favorite, or $100 to win $110 with the underdog.
Expert Tip:
We recommend being selective when placing bets on the moneyline and only betting on games with lines that give your side good value. With so many MLB games to choose from, you can be selective with your moneyline prices.Totals
Totals betting, AKA over/under, is predicting the combined number of runs in a game, with the wagering platform setting a total runs line.
Example: In a game between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, the total is set at 8.5. A final score of Houston 6 – Texas 4 means the OVER bets win with 10 total runs.
Expert Tip:
Always consider bullpens when handicapping totals. Lines tend to be set very low in games with two strong starting pitchers. Whether a game finishes over or under the posted total often comes down to how well the bullpens perform.The three main ways to bet on an MLB game are through the Money Line, Spreads, and Totals markets. In baseball, the spread is called the Run Line, where the favorite usually starts at -1.5 runs and the underdog gets +1.5 runs. This means the favorite must win by 2 or more runs to cover, while the underdog can lose by 1 run and still cover.
Parlays
Parlay betting is combining multiple individual bets into a single wager for a chance at a bigger payout.
Example: Creating a parlay that combines the Orioles -140, Rockies +130, and White Sox vs. Twins UNDER 9.5. While parlays offer a chance at higher payouts, remember that each selection must win, so it’s a high-risk, high-reward bet.
Expert Tip:
Consider parlaying the moneyline and the total if your prediction connects the two. For instance, if you think a team with a poor pitcher will still outscore their opponent, you can parlay their moneyline win with the OVER.Props
Proposition bets, or props in baseball are bets on outcomes or events not necessarily tied to the game’s final result.
Example: Which players are the best bets to hit a home run in a certain game, or if a game will have no runs scored in the first inning, which are called NRFI bets.
Expert Tip:
Savvy MLB bettors can often find good value on individual player props like over/under hits. Look out for hot and cold streaks and historical performances against the game’s starting pitcher.Futures
Futures betting is wagering on future baseball events, such as the World Series or a team’s regular season win total.
Example: Before the MLB season begins, a wager can be placed on a team to win the World Series. Futures bets are available all season long, with price updates based on team injuries and performances.
Expert Tip:
Monitor futures prices on strong teams facing early slumps. If the betting market overreacts, and the team’s odds of winning the World Series drop, you can buy low and potentially win big when they heat back up.
Expert MLB Picks
See All MLB PicksHow To Read MLB Betting Odds
It’s important to understand MLB betting odds to make successful wagers. Odds indicate the potential return on any given bet. The three most popular odds formats are: American, decimal, and fractional. At MLB betting platforms in the United States, American odds are most frequently used.
American Odds:
American odds are displayed with either a plus (+) or minus (-) sign.
- Positive odds show the potential profit on a $100 bet.
- Negative odds represent the wager amount required to win $100.
Example:
The Tigers at (+200) means $200 profit, plus your $100 back if they win. If the odds were -150, you would need to bet $150 to potentially win $100. Keep in mind that these ratios apply no matter the amount wagered. A $300 bet to win $100 is the same as a $600 bet to win $200.Popular MLB Bet Types
Here is a rundown of how American odds are displayed for each type of MLB bet.
MLB Betting Tips
Increase your MLB betting winning potential with four easy-to-follow tips:
1. Check the Weather
Rain isn’t the only weather factor to consider when betting on baseball. While early-game showers can force pitching changes, the wind’s strength and direction can significantly impact scoring (think home runs in a strong wind blowing out). Even temperature can play a role, affecting the ball’s flight and pitcher stamina. Hot and humid air is less dense than cold and dry air, which studies have shown can lead to more home runs.
2. Review the Schedule
Analyze the schedule for potential advantages or disadvantages. Teams might be driven by revenge against playoff rivals, or drained after a doubleheader. Identifying these scheduling quirks can help you make informed bets that capitalize on a certain team’s edge.
3. Research the Ballparks
Stadiums play a critical role when it comes to handicapping totals. Ballpark dimensions, regional weather, and even the home team’s roster can all contribute to consistent over/under trends. Recognizing these tendencies can inform smarter bets that exploit these park-specific advantages. Understanding the impact of ballparks will give you an edge in your baseball betting decisions.
4. Avoid Parlays
The best approach to MLB betting parlays is to play them sparingly and for entertainment purposes only. It’s tempting to chase big potential winnings on a massive parlay after seeing a bettor has won thousands on a successful 12-team wager. However, for every once-in-a-blue-moon parlay that hits, thousands don’t. In a 10-team parlay, even 9 wins and 1 loss means a losing bet. Instead, we recommend betting on games individually to reduce variance and maximize profits on days when you pick more winners than losers.
Guide to Live Betting on the MLB
Live betting on baseball can really heighten the enjoyment of your experience. For baseball fans who want to explore in-game betting, here are some tips to help you gain an edge:
1. Know the Rules
Live betting rules vary by betting provider. For example, prop bets may be graded as “No Action” if a game is called early due to weather or stadium malfunction. We recommend reviewing your chosen betting platform’s terms and conditions to check how specific situations will be handled.
2. Understand the Odds
Familiarize yourself with the American odds format in the section above. MLB live betting odds are constantly changing based on the game’s events. Having a firm grasp on what the odds mean will help you make smart and quick decisions in real-time.
3. Check the Injury Report
Don’t get caught off guard by injuries or rest days. Check the starting lineup for both teams and read team reports to see if either starting pitcher is on a pitch count. You can also use a platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) to check for up-to-the-minute injury updates while live betting.
4. Combine Betting Tactics
We advise that newbies to live baseball betting stick to basics, such as live moneylines and totals. As you get more comfortable, branching out into different player and game prop bets is a lot of fun. As you get the hang of it, you can explore player and game props to combine betting styles and increase wins based on your baseball knowledge.
5. Watch the Game
Nothing compares to the first-hand observations made while watching a live game. While you can follow balls and strikes on an app, you can’t see a batter wincing in pain, or a pitcher angry over a bad call. These live details could be game changers in your two-out rally bets.
6. Consider Home Field Advantage
Before placing your bet, check how teams perform at home and on the road. This can be your secret weapon for live MLB betting on spreads and totals. Remember, the road team always bats in the top of the ninth, so think twice before betting on a comeback if they’re trailing.
Best MLB Betting Option for Beginners: BetUS
Our team of baseball betting experts has evaluated a variety of MLB betting providers. Our top choice for beginning baseball bettors is BetUS.
Latest MLB News and Blogs
Responsible Gambling
We encourage you to gamble responsibly and consider online betting as a form of entertainment, not a source of income. Set loss limits and time limits, and don’t bet more than you’re comfortable losing.
Here are some resources to help you, or someone you care about, gamble responsibly and get help:
MLB Betting Tips Takeaways
The Sports Geek has crafted this MLB betting guide to help you get the most out of your wagers. From understanding spreads and parlays, to providing betting tips like ballpark advantages, we’ve got you covered.
To further improve your baseball betting game, be sure you check out the resources listed on this page, from expert MLB blogs to our free AI picks.
If you want to start betting on the MLB, we recommend BetUS as our top option for beginners. Good luck! We’re rooting for you!
