MLB
Major League Baseball (MLB) is one of the most popular professional sports leagues in North America, featuring some of the best baseball players in the world. With a rich history dating back to the late 1800s, the league has evolved significantly over the years, expanding from its original 8 teams to the current 30 teams across the United States and Canada.
The MLB season typically runs from late March to early November, with each team playing 162 regular season games in hopes of qualifying for the playoffs and ultimately winning the World Series championship. It is important for baseball fans to stay up-to-date on the latest MLB betting news and developments in the league, as well as the performance of favorite teams and players, especially if the purpose is wagering or betting on the outcomes of the games.
This MLB betting guidepage aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how to bet on the league, which includes its history, structure, key players, and baseball teams to bet on and bet against. Whether you are a lifelong fan or a newcomer to the sport, this page will serve as a valuable resource for MLB betting.
BEST TEAM TO BET ON
BEST TEAM TO BET against
LATEST MLB NEWS
MLB Betting Explained
MLB Betting Odds & Examples
RUN LINE BET
When betting on baseball, the run line is equal to the point spread in other sports betting. The run line is always -1.5 or +1.5 for every game, with the favorite designated by the minus (-) sign. The underdog is always represented by the plus (+) sign in front of the odds. Here’s an example of how that would look:
| Team | RunLine |
|---|---|
| New York Mets | +1.5 (-130) |
| Toronto Blue Jays | -1.5 (+110) |
In the example, the Blue Jays are the favorite, and the Mets are the underdog. A bet on the favorite means they must win the game by two runs or more for the bet to be a winner. A bet on the Mets means they would either have to win the game or lose by one run or less.
MONEYLINE BET
When betting on the moneyline in baseball, the bettor wagers on the team they think will win the game. The sportsbook determines the favorite and the underdog by giving odds. For example:
| Team | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Pirates | +120 |
| Atlanta Braves | -130 |
In this example, the Braves are favored over the Pirates. Therefore, a $100 wager on the Pirates would pay $120 since they are the underdog. For a bet on the Braves, the bettor would have to place a $130 wager to win $100.
OVER & UNDER BET
Bettors can make a wager on the total runs scored by both teams in the game with this type of bet. Here’s an example of how the line would look:
| Team | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Boston Red Sox | -1.5 O/U 7 |
| New York Yankees | +1.5 |
Placing a bet on the over means the bettor believes the total runs scored by both teams combined will be more than seven runs while betting on the under is a wager that the total runs scored in the game will be less than seven.
MLB Betting Stats
Statistics are vital in helping analyze matchups when handicapping any sport. There are stats available for every possible characteristic of the game in baseball. If you’re a stats junkie, this game will undoubtedly satisfy that craving.
For MLB, there is specific information that is important to take into consideration when handicapping any matchup. Here are the most essential stats used for betting on baseball:
Pitcher ERA and WHIP
The starting pitchers in each game affect the MLB odds more than any other factor. The most crucial stat for pitchers is their Earned Run Average or ERA. This stat is the number of runs a pitcher allows per nine innings pitched. The lower the ERA, the better the pitcher is. This is a significant factor when choosing a winning team on a moneyline bet and the number of runs scored when betting the over/under.
Team OBP
Just as ERA is an important stat for pitching, OBP, or on-base percentage, is important for the stats of individual batters. Bettors should also be familiar with the team’s overall OBP. This stat measures how often the batters reach base, minus fielding errors, fielder’s choice, catcher interference, or fielder’s obstruction.
Average Runs Scored
This stat is one of the most important numbers when betting on baseball. This is the number of total runs scored divided by the number of games played. The team’s overall batting average doesn’t make a difference as long as the team is scoring runs.
How to Bet on MLB
Betting on MLB spreads can lead to a profitable payday, since the run line is usually listed at 1½. So, regardless of the teams playing, the run line remains unchanged.
Whether the Dodgers are playing an underwhelming team (Pittsburgh Pirates) or a potent team (Houston Astros), bettors will only have to decide if L.A. can cover the 1½-run spread.
If bettors decide to take an underdog, they are betting that the team either loses by less than two runs, or wins the game.
Baseball tends to use a 1½-run spread because teams tend not to score as often as they do in other sports, such as basketball and football.
Tips, Tricks, And Advice For MLB Betting
Bettors need to know who’s pitching in a game before they wager. One lethal mistake bettors make is that they only look at a team’s win-loss record before formulating their decision.
However, bad teams may still have an ace pitcher toeing the rubber, while a good team may have a lackluster pitcher on the mound.
For example, Jacob deGrom was one of the best pitchers in baseball during the 2021 campaign, but the Mets weren’t good.
Bettors also need to be aware of a team’s recent trends. Understanding how teams have played against the spread in recent pairings can provide a clear answer to which side bettors should place their wagers.
Injury Reports:
It’s a good idea to get out ahead of potential MLB injury/rest news or of other factors, since odds could change close to tipoff. If they don’t, a bettor can lose out on value that’s hard to replicate.
Ignore the Percentages:
Another piece of advice to consider when betting is to ignore the percentages. Instead, you should do your own research on the latest trends, identify advantages and trust the gut before placing your bet.
Percentages can vary from sportsbook to sportsbook, anyway.
Track Your Bets
If you want to get serious about sports betting, one of the best things to do is to track your bets. Identify your betting patterns and what’s valued in making your bets. See if it is, or isn’t, working.
If it’s not working, return to the drawing board and make adjustments, same as athletes when their performance is off. You only learn and get better by identifying where things went wrong.
Use the Spread
Don’t underestimate the spread. Bettors often forget that losing teams can still cover the spread.
Be Aware of the Run Difference
Baseball games are often separated by just one run, so being aware of this is of the utmost importance. It’s something that one simply can’t overlook.
Keep in Mind the Starting Lineups
Be aware of starting lineups as well. The MLB season usually consists of a 162-game slate., meaning that players receive several days off to rest. Checking the lineup before placing your bets could completely change the selection if a major star is not playing.
Roll With the Underdogs
Finally, rolling with underdogs in baseball can lead to quality payouts. The worst teams win 50-60 games each season. This means the underdog still has a chance of winning in any given game, regardless of the opponent. If there’s one hot hitter or one strong pitcher, it can make a huge difference, leading to a win by the underdog.
MLB History
The history of Major League Baseball (MLB) can be traced back to the 19th century, when professional baseball clubs began to emerge in the United States. The first professional baseball league, the National Association of Professional Baseball Players, was formed in 1871, and was succeeded by the more organized National League in 1876.
In 1903, an agreement was reached to play a World Series, which was a matchup of the champions from each league. The National Commission was also established as the governing authority over MLB. The group was replaced with a single commissioner in 1921. This tradition has continued to this day, making the MLB one of the most popular sports leagues in the world.
Over the years, the MLB has seen many great players and teams, from Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in the early 20th century to Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez in the modern era. The league has also faced numerous challenges, including racial segregation and labor disputes.
Racism and Labor Disputes
In the 1940s and 1950s, African American players were banned from playing in the MLB, but this policy was eventually overturned thanks in part to the efforts of Jackie Robinson, who became the first black player to play in the MLB in 1947. Labor disputes have also been a recurring issue, with strikes and lockouts disrupting the league at various times.
Today, the MLB is a multibillion-dollar industry with 30 teams located in the United States and Canada. The league continues to evolve, with new rules and technology being introduced to improve the game. Despite its long history and tradition, the MLB remains relevant and popular, attracting millions of fans each year to ballparks across North America and around the world.
On the field, the current game of MLB still resembles how the game was in the early 1900s. But off the field, the change has been significant. Team owners spend billions of dollars in player salaries each year, but make revenues far higher than that.
Conclusion
The MLB is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world, and it attracts a lot of betting activity. MLB betting can be both exciting and risky, as it involves predicting the outcome of a game or a series of games, which can be influenced by several factors such as team performance, weather conditions, baseball players injuries, and other external factors.
As a tool for predicting the outcome of a baseball game, odds are an essential component of any baseball fan’s arsenal. Understanding how baseball odds work can provide valuable insights into a team’s chances of winning and help you make informed bets.
However, it is important to remember that odds are not a perfect predictor of a team’s success. Upsets can and will happen, and there are many factors that can influence the outcome of a game. Ultimately, the best way to improve your odds of success is to become knowledgeable about the sport and the teams you are betting on.
This can involve analyzing statistics, tracking player performance, and staying up-to-date on the latest news and developments in the world of baseball. With dedication and hard work, anyone can become a successful MLB bettor and enjoy the excitement and thrill of the game.
And, at Point Spreads, we’re here to help!
