MLB Betting Tips & Strategies To Help You Win
Adding proven MLB betting tips to your baseball betting strategy can dramatically improve your chances of winning. Our baseball experts have created the following MLB betting guide to help you with everything from how to bet on MLB games to more advanced strategies. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro looking to refine your game, we’ll help you take your betting to the next level.
Keep reading for betting tips, types of baseball bets, how to read MLB betting odds, strategies for live betting on the MLB, and lots more.
Helpful Guides For Betting On The MLB Online
Unlock your MLB betting potential with our expert guides:
MLB Picks Get free AI-powered predictions from our experts all season long.
MLB Run Lines And How To Bet It Learn the ins and outs of MLB run lines and how to make profitable bets.
Best MLB Betting Sites Check out our list of the best online sportsbooks for MLB betting.
How To Win At Sports Betting Explore advanced sports handicapping techniques with our in-depth tips for success.
Expert MLB Picks
See All MLB PicksBenefit from a winning edge in baseball betting. If you want to know who to bet on in the MLB, our mix of expert and AI-generated picks and predictions is your go-to guide. Picks include home/away records, points per game, defensive aspects, and many more stats.
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 strategy.
4. Avoid Parlays
The best MLB betting strategy regarding 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.
Types Of Baseball Bets
It’s important to understand all your options while forming your own baseball betting strategies. Here are the main types of baseball bets:
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.
Run Line (Point Spread)
Run line betting is a form of point spread betting specific to baseball. Here, the favored team is always handicapped by exactly 1.5 runs. Imagine the Brewers favored by 1.5 against the Cubs. Back the Brewers if they win by 2+ runs, the Cubs if they win or lose by 1.
Expert Tip:
Try to avoid betting favorites on the run line in low-scoring games. High-scoring teams rarely win by a single run, making them risky run line bets. Look to strong pitching teams for tighter games and better run line coverage.
Totals
Totals betting, AKA over/under, is predicting the combined number of runs in a game, with the sportsbook 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.
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 the Atlanta Braves 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.
How To Read MLB Betting Odds
It’s time to master American odds for successful MLB betting. Odds indicate the potential return on any given bet. The three most popular odds formats are: American, decimal, and fractional. MLB betting sites in the United States display American odds most frequently.
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 Bets
Moneylines – If the Tampa Bay Rays (-135) are favored against the Minnesota Twins (+115) in this matchup, then a $100 bet on the Rays earns you $100 if they win. On the flip side, a $100 bet on the Twins would win you $115 if they defy the odds.
Run Lines – This same game could have a hypothetical run line of Minnesota +1.5 (-215) vs. Tampa Bay -1.5 (+185). Notice that the odds are very different on each side due to the impact of the 1.5-run spread.
Totals – Using the same example, Minnesota vs. Tampa Bay might have a total listed as Over 8.5 runs (-110) vs. Under 8.5 runs (-110). The betting odds are usually close on each side of the total.
Parlays – Combining three moneyline wagers into one parlay with The Dodgers (190), Padres (-130), and Reds (+115) means that the three-team parlay would become one (+481) bet, and all three games need to win for the bet to cash out.
Futures – Most futures odds are listed with a ‘+’, and cover a wide range between favorites and long shots. For example, before the start of the season, BetUS listed the Los Angeles Dodgers as the favorite to win the World Series at +375 and The Oakland Athletics were the massive underdogs at +25000 (Bet $100 to win $25,000).
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 sportsbook. 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 sportsbook’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 site like X (formerly known as Twitter) to check for up-to-the-minute injury updates while live betting.
4. Combine Betting Strategies
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 strategies 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 betting run lines 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 Site For Beginners
Our team of baseball betting experts has reviewed a wide range of MLB betting sites, all available on our dedicated MLB sportsbook page. Our top choice for beginning baseball bettors is BetUS.
1
The Best MLB Betting Site For Beginners: BetUS
Our Rating
5.0/5 stars.
BetUS’ library of expert MLB resources and generous welcome promos makes it our top site for baseball betting newbies. The site’s daily MLB show on BetUS TV offers seasoned picks and predictions throughout the season, and their LockerRoom section is updated with MLB news, important league updates, and betting analysis to give you an edge.
If you’re experimenting with moneylines, run lines, totals, props, futures, live betting, or odds boosts, you’ll find a large selection of betting options at BetUS. Additionally, new sign-ups can collect a 125% match bonus of up to $3,125 on their first deposit to help boost their MLB betting bankroll. That welcome bonus offer gets bumped up to a 200% match up to $5,000 for an initial deposit in cryptocurrency.
125% up to $2,625
- Three decades of experience
- Big welcome bonus worth up to $2,625
A Brief History Of The MLB
Major League Baseball boasts a rich 121-year legacy. Here’s a look back at some of the most memorable moments of the last 40 years from a sports betting perspective:
February 2024 – MLB bettors can collect impressive welcome bonuses and bet on the 2024 season at any of our top-rated MLB sportsbooks.
November 2023 – The Texas Rangers end a 63-year drought and win the World Series for the first time in franchise history. The Rangers were 50-to-1 preseason underdogs to win the championship coming into the 2023 season after finishing 2022 with a 68-94 record.
May 2018 – The Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) to pave the way for legal sports betting on MLB games around the country.
November 2016 – The Chicago Cubs win their first World Series in 108 years. The Cubs were the preseason favorites to win the championship in 2016 going off at 4-to-1.
October 2011 – The St. Louis Cardinals win the 2011 World Series in a six-game series against the Texas Rangers. In late August, the Cardinals were 10.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL Wild Card standings and were going off at future odds as high as 999-to-1 to win the championship.
October 2004 – The Boston Red Sox complete an unprecedented comeback from an 0-3 deficit against the New York Yankees in the ALCS. They go on to win the World Series, ending an 86-year championship drought to the surprise of many fans and bettors.
October 2003 – The Florida Marlins defeat the heavily-favored New York Yankees in the World Series to win the championship just five years after entering the league as an expansion team. Florida’s future odds to win the World Series were 75-to-1 prior to the start of the season.
September 2002 – The Oakland Athletics complete an American League record 20-game win streak, rewarding bettors who backed them with a historic run.
October 1991 – The Minnesota Twins win the World Series one season after finishing in last place in the AL West. The Twins were going off as 80-to-1 underdogs to win the championship during the preseason.
October 1986 – The New York Mets win Game 6 of the World Series against the Boston Red Sox after Boston’s Bill Buckner fails to field a routine ground ball. This shifts the momentum of the series and helps the Mets avoid a series upset by winning the championship in Game 7.
The Latest MLB News
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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 experts at The Sports Geek has crafted these MLB betting tips, strategies, and valuable examples to help you navigate the world of MLB sports betting. From understanding moneyline bets and multi-layered parlays to considering ballpark advantages and the importance of the umps, we’ve got you covered.
If you want to start betting on the MLB, we recommend BetUS as our top site for beginners.
Stay on top of all the latest MLB news and get our free expert AI picks to help you get the most out of your wagers. Good luck! We’re rooting for you!