MLB Betting Guide: Understand All Bet Types

MLB Betting Guide: Understanding All Bet Types

Welcome to the ultimate guide to understanding MLB (Major League Baseball) betting! Whether you're new to wagering on America's pastime or looking to deepen your knowledge, this guide will walk you through the most common types of MLB bets, how odds work, and what you need to know to place informed wagers.

MLB betting offers a unique array of options, from picking game winners to betting on intricate player performances. Familiarizing yourself with different bet types will enhance your betting strategy for the long baseball season.

Understanding MLB Odds

MLB odds represent the probability of an outcome and determine your potential payout. They are most commonly displayed in American odds format (+ or -).

Negative Odds (-): Indicate the favorite. The number shows how much you need to wager to win $100 profit. E.g., -150 means you bet $150 to win $100.
Positive Odds (+): Indicate the underdog. The number shows how much profit you win if you wager $100. E.g., +130 means you bet $100 to win $130 profit.

Understanding odds is crucial for calculating returns and finding value, especially considering factors like starting pitchers and bullpen strength.

Common MLB Bet Types

Moneyline

The most basic MLB bet: simply picking which team will win the game. Odds are set for each team, with the favorite having lower odds and the underdog higher odds. Be aware of 'Listed Pitcher' rules – if the scheduled starting pitcher for a team changes, your bet might be voided or re-calculated depending on the sportsbook.

Example:
New York Yankees -140
Boston Red Sox +120
To win $100 on the Yankees, you bet $140. A $100 bet on the Red Sox wins $120 profit.

Run Line

Similar to a point spread in other sports, the Run Line in MLB is typically -1.5 runs for the favorite and +1.5 runs for the underdog. The favorite must win by at least 2 runs to cover the Run Line. The underdog can lose by 1 run, or win the game, for their Run Line bet to be successful. You might also see alternate Run Lines (e.g., -2.5/+2.5).

Example:
Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (-110)
San Francisco Giants +1.5 (-110)
If you bet on the Dodgers, they must win by 2 or more runs. If you bet on the Giants, they can lose by 1 run, or win outright.

Total Runs (Over/Under)

This involves betting on the total combined number of runs scored by both teams in a game. The sportsbook sets a line (e.g., 8.5 runs), and you wager whether the actual total will be over or under that number. Extra innings are included in the final run count.

Example:
Total Runs: O/U 8.5
If the final score is 5-4 (total 9 runs), the Over wins. If the final score is 3-2 (total 5 runs), the Under wins.

Player Props

Player Proposition Bets (Props) are wagers on individual player statistics or specific events. These are often independent of the game's outcome. Common MLB player props include:

Total Hits for a player (e.g., Aaron Judge Over/Under 0.5 Hits)
Total Home Runs for a player
Total Strikeouts for a pitcher (e.g., Gerrit Cole Over/Under 6.5 Strikeouts)
Player to Record an RBI
Pitcher to Record a Win

Example:
Shohei Ohtani Over/Under 1.5 Total Bases
Max Scherzer Over 7.5 Strikeouts
Freddie Freeman to Hit a Home Run

Explore detailed player markets on our MLB Player Props page.

First 5 Innings (F5) Bets

These bets focus only on the outcome after the first five innings of the game. Common F5 bets include Moneyline, Run Line, and Totals for the first five innings. These bets are popular because they heavily emphasize the starting pitchers' performance.

Example:
Atlanta Braves F5 Moneyline (-130)
Philadelphia Phillies F5 +0.5 Runs (-110)
F5 Total Runs O/U 4.5

Futures

MLB Futures are long-term bets on outcomes that will be decided later in the season. Popular futures include:

World Series Champion
American League / National League Pennant Winner
Division Winners
Regular Season MVP (AL & NL)
Cy Young Award Winner (AL & NL)
Team Regular Season Win Totals (Over/Under)

Example:
Houston Astros to Win World Series
Ronald Acuña Jr. to Win NL MVP
Team X Over 85.5 Regular Season Wins

Live Betting (In-Play)

Live betting allows you to place wagers on MLB games while they are actively being played. Odds and available markets change rapidly based on the current score, inning, runners on base, and other in-game developments.

MLB Betting Guide FAQs

What is Moneyline betting in MLB?

Moneyline betting in MLB is straightforward: you're betting on which team will win the game outright. Pitcher changes can affect odds, and sportsbooks have rules for 'listed pitchers' vs 'action'.

How does Run Line betting work in MLB?

The Run Line is MLB's version of a point spread, typically set at -1.5 runs for the favorite and +1.5 runs for the underdog. The favorite must win by 2 or more runs, while the underdog can lose by 1 run or win outright for the bet to cash.

What are MLB Total Runs (Over/Under) bets?

MLB Total Runs bets involve wagering on the combined number of runs scored by both teams in a game. The sportsbook sets a total, and you bet whether the actual combined score will be over or under that number. Extra innings count towards the total.

What are MLB Player Prop Bets?

MLB Player Proposition Bets (Props) are wagers on specific player performances, like a player's total hits, home runs, RBIs, strikeouts (for pitchers), or stolen bases. These are usually independent of the game's final outcome.

What are MLB Futures bets?

MLB Futures bets are wagers on outcomes decided later in the season, such as the World Series winner, American League/National League pennant winners, division winners, or individual awards like MVP or Cy Young.