How to Bet on MLB
MLB is a great option for online sports bettors due to its high number of daily games, providing ample opportunities to win money. However, it is important to put in the effort and educate yourself on the intricacies of betting in order to maximize your potential earnings. One effective way to begin is by exploring MLB betting sites, which offer a wide range of betting options and helpful tools to assist you in making well-informed decisions. Here are four strategies to help you delve into the realm of baseball betting through MLB betting sites:
What are MLB Moneylines?
Moneyline betting in baseball is based on predicting the winner of the game. The starting pitcher plays a significant role in determining the odds. The favored team will have negative odds, such as the Toronto Blue Jays at -155, meaning you would need to bet $155 to win $100. The underdog will have positive odds, like the New York Yankees at +145, where a $100 bet would win you $145. It’s important to research starting pitchers to make informed bets.
What are MLB Spreads?
Run lines are the baseball equivalent of spread betting, a popular option in the NFL and NBA. For example, a run-line bet might look like this: Toronto -1.5 +130, New York +1.5, -170. In this scenario, Toronto is the underdog to win by more than one run. If they do, you would win $130 on a $100 bet. New York, on the other hand, is favored to win outright or lose by only one run at -170.While run lines are not as commonly used as moneylines, they can be helpful in certain situations. For instance, if a strong team with their best pitcher playing at home is facing a weaker opponent, you may have to bet around -300 on the moneyline. To avoid this high cost, you could choose to bet on the -1.5 run line instead. Since the team is expected to dominate, winning by an extra run could pay off.
Run lines are the baseball equivalent of spread betting, a popular form of wagering in the NFL and NBA. For example, a run-line bet might look like this: Toronto -1.5 +130, New York +1.5, -170. In this scenario, Toronto is the underdog, needing to win by at least 2 runs for a $130 payout on a $100 bet. Conversely, New York is the favorite at -170, meaning they are expected to win outright or lose by only 1 run.While run lines are not as commonly used as moneylines, they can be beneficial in certain situations. For instance, if a top team with their best pitcher is facing a weak opponent at home, the moneyline may be as high as -300. In this case, opting for the -1.5 run line could provide a more affordable option, as the dominant team is likely to win by a significant margin anyway.
What are MLB Totals?
Totals or Over Under betting involves predicting the number of runs that will be scored in a game. For example, if the total is set at 7.5 runs for a game between Toronto and New York, you would bet on whether the total will be over or under that number. Baseball totals typically range from 7 to 11 runs, with a lower total indicating a possible pitching duel and a higher total suggesting a high-scoring game.
What are MLB Futures?
Finally, you have the futures bets where you are betting on things that will happen later in the season. For example, you can bet on who you think will win the World Series, along with the American League and National League pennants and the divisions as well. You can also bet on player props like the Cy Young award for each league, as well as the Most Valuable Player.
The key here is that it’s a risky proposition as a lot can happen over this period of time – a trade, an injury, a coaching change. But you are locking your money in early for a long period of time, so you’ll get a bigger payout.