How to Bet on Baseball 2024

Baseball Moneyline Example

For example, let’s say this is the moneyline:

• Red Sox -110
• Yankees -110

In this baseball betting example, the Yankees are the favorite. The bookmaker set both lines at (-110) in this case. So, you’ll have to wager $110 for a chance to win $100, regardless of which team you pick.

MLB Run Lines Bet Example

Here’s an example of how a baseball run line would be laid out:

• Boston Red Sox -1.5 (-100)
• New York Yankees +1.5 (+150)

The Red Sox are the favored team to win, and must win by 2 or more to cover the 1.5 runs they are giving the Yankees.

Baseball Over/Under Betting Example

Here’s a run total baseball betting example. Let’s say the total is set at 7.5 for a game between Boston and New York:

• Boston Over 7.5 (-110)
• Yankees Over 7.5 (-110)

If you believe Boston scores more than 7.5 runs and bet $110, you’ll win $100 plus recoup your original $110 wager. The -110 is the juice / vig on the bet, which means how much you need to bet to win $100. If there is a +110, you’d wager $100 to win $110.

Tip: The first thing to look for when MLB betting a total is to look at the starting pitching matchups and stadium run total betting trends.

Parlay Bet Example

Here’s an example of a baseball parlay ticket:

Bet: $50 on the Blue Jays and Astros to win.

• Toronto Blue Jays (+150), LA Dodgers (-110)
• Chicago Cubs (+200), Houston Astros (-110)

In this example, if the Blue Jays win and Astros lose, your parlay bet loses. If the Blue Jays and Astros both win, your parlay hits and your $50 wins $188.64.

Here’s an example of a first 5-inning MLB bet:

• Astros -0.5 (Verlander starting)
• Indians +0.5 (Bieber starting)

If the Indians lead by one-or-more runs OR the game is TIED at the end of five innings, they win the bet. If the Astros lead by one-or-more runs at the end of five innings, Houston backers win the bet.

Baseball Prop Betting Example

Some examples of popular baseball props include:

• Clayton Kershaw Over/Under 7.5 strikeouts
• Will a batter be hit by a pitch during the first nine innings?
• Will somebody hit a grand slam during the game?
• Will Mike Trout finish with 2-or-more hits?

MLB Baseball Futures

Here’s some examples of MLB betting futures odds:

Odds to win the World Series

• Dodgers +450
• Yankees +450
• Padres +750

If you place a $100 wager on the Padres to win the World Series and they do, you win $750.

Odds to win American League MVP

• Mike Trout +400
• Shane Bieber +600
• Tim Anderson +850

If you place a $100 wager on Bieber to win AL MVP and he does, you win $600.

It’s easier to track these trends when a player and team are healthy. Injuries are part of the game, but can wreak havoc on a manager’s and bettors strategy. However, you can use last-second roster changes to your advantage and, if lucky, find better MLB odds before bookmakers have time to make the change.

Track trends and injury updates on team social media channels for the latest information.

Sabermetrics are very helpful when targeting player prop bets versus a moneyline, straight-up wager. For example, a pitcher with a high K/9 rate (strikeouts per nine innings) facing a lineup known for striking out often could be worthy of a Over/Under total strikeouts prop bet.

If the wind is blowing out from home plate, the ball is likely to travel further and that can make the difference between a long fly ball and a home run. The same goes for if the wind is blowing in toward home plate. That 10-mph wind can hold a fly ball up just enough to be caught on the warning track.

The run line can help improve the odds in situations like this but anytime you are betting on a public team, like the teams listed above, the line will be inflated with public money from casual bettors. Using the run line to improve odds should be part of your baseball betting strategy.

If you go with a strategy that a strong starting pitcher is going to dominate a weak hitting lineup, that’s fine. However, once that starting pitcher is removed from the game, say in the 6th or 7th inning, all bets are off as to how the bullpen will perform. With new rules now forcing relief pitchers to face at least three batters, weak bullpens are being exposed and costing starting pitchers, and the bettors who back them, big wins.

Some umpires are influenced by the crowd, which is handy for home teams. Some umpires have tight strike zones leading to more walks, more base runners and ultimately, runs, which is great information if you are leaning towards the over. Meanwhile, others may have giant strike zones, leading to more strikeouts and batters chasing pitches, which benefits under bets.

The same philosophy applies to futures bets like odds to win the 2022 World Series. If you’re convinced the New York Mets are going to win and Sportsbook A has their World Series futures at +700 and another posted Mets +800, you have the opportunity to win $100 more for every $100 wagered if you take Mets +800. All it took, was a few minutes of your time to compare odds at a few online sportsbooks. Time can truly be money.