Christopher Malone

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Everything you need to know to bet on Baseball

Old style Baseball logo: 2 crossed bats, 1 ball with a field in the background

No matter which bookmaker you join, you will always find the same types of bets. The types of bets on MLB betting sites are similar to what you find in other sports, but there are some key differences to consider. Before you start placing your bets on baseball, you need to ensure that you understand how the American online betting system dedicated to these particular sports works.


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Table of Contents

  1. Understanding the Fundamentals of Baseball
  2. The Different Types of Bets
  3. The Importance of Advanced Statistics
  4. External Factors to Consider
  5. Advanced Strategies for Experienced Bettors
  6. Choosing Specialized Bookmakers
  7. Leagues and Competitions to Know
  8. Essential Resources and Tools
  9. Tips to Optimize Your Winnings
  10. Summary

Understanding the Fundamentals of Baseball

The Essential Rules

Baseball pits two teams of nine players against each other over nine innings. Each team alternates between offensive phases (at bat) and defensive phases (in the field). The objective is to score more points (runs) than the opponent by completing a full circuit of the bases.

The Key Positions

  • The Pitcher: Major influence on the game, he throws the ball to the catcher.
  • The Catcher: Coordinates the defense and analyzes the weaknesses of opposing batters.
  • The Batters: Attempt to hit the ball to advance on the bases.

Important Terminology

  • Strikeout: Elimination of the batter after three strikes.
  • Home Run: A hit that allows the batter to round all the bases and score a point.
  • Innings: Innings during which teams alternate between offense and defense.

If you want more details on this topic, check out my detailed article on the fundamentals of baseball for seasoned bettors.

The Different Types of Bets

The American sports betting system uses what is called the "moneyline" to express the bet/payment ratio of a given bet.
Understanding this American odds notation is important; it could simply be translated as net gain for $100 wagered, but with a nuance. It allows you to know the financial conditions of all your bets. In some cases, a bet will be entirely defined by the moneyline (as it is also used to directly calculate the odds of a bet), but every bet - regardless of its other terms - has an attached moneyline. The moneyline will almost always be in parentheses next to its associated bet.

The moneyline (what we also simply call American odds) is based on a scale of $100.
It works like this:

  • A positive number often indicates (but not always) an underdog. This number is the amount you can win on a $100 bet,
  • A negative number generally indicates a favorite. This is the amount you must wager to win $100.

For most bets, one team or player (or other outcome) will be favored over the other, and the moneyline will reflect that.
(Note: This is not a minimum bet amount; it is simply the ratio between the buy-in and the payout. Most MLB betting sites will allow you to make individual bets starting from $0.25).
The following types of bets all illustrate how the moneyline works.

But keep in mind that you can change the odds display and revert to decimal odds if that suits you better.

The Classic Bet

Classic bets, also called "straight up bets", simply correspond to applying the moneyline rule to a given matchup. This is probably the most common type of simple bet available, and they look like this:

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Atlanta Braves (+155) face the Chicago Cubs (-140)

Here, the Braves are the underdogs, and a $100/$ bet on Atlanta will yield (net) $155/$. The Cubs, as the favorite team, pay much less, requiring bettors to wager $140/$ for a net profit of $100/$. The more favored a team is, the smaller the net gain, and vice versa.

The Handicap Bets

To create a handicap for a favorite team and make the bets more balanced, in baseball, runs are added to the underdog. This type of handicap is called a "Run line bet":

St. Louis Cardinals – 1.5 (-110) face the New York Mets +1.5 (-110)

Since the Cardinals are favored in this match, the bookmakers "subtract" 1.5 runs from their final score and "give" those points to the Mets, who are the underdogs. This means that the Cardinals must win by 2 runs or more to win the bet, while the Mets can actually lose by one run and still be designated winners of this handicap bet.

Note that the moneyline for these bets is the same: you must wager $110/$ to win $100/$. Since bookmakers have a fairly constant pricing, they can display the same moneyline, which guarantees them - in this case - a 9% margin (or "rake") for themselves. Many MLB betting sites will adjust the moneyline on handicap bets to further balance betting trends, but this is not common for European or Asian bookmakers who keep their odds. Run lines are almost always set at 1.5 runs.

The Over/Under Bets

Over/Under bets are also called total bets "Total bet", and they do not concern winners and losers, but rather the combined final score between two teams. For a given match, the bookmaker will provide an Over/Under bet with a number that looks like this:

Baltimore Orioles face the New York Yankees 9.5 O/U (-110)

If the Orioles and Yankees combine to score 10 runs or more, the "Over" bet wins, but if they combine to score less than 9 runs, the "Under" bet wins. Note again that the moneyline (-110) is generally the same for both sides of the bet, but operators can modify one or both lines to adjust the betting volume accordingly.

The 5-Inning Bet

Betting on the first 5 innings, or "5 inning bet", is similar to betting on a halftime score in football. Here, everything works like normal bets, but classic, handicap, or Over/Under bets will be adjusted to reflect the results of the top (or bottom) 5 innings.

A player batting

The Prop Bets

The term "Prop" means "proposition". These Prop bets are among the most fun types of bets, adding dozens of options to pre-match betting. These propositions can be based on players or teams, and they all deal with statistical outcomes for the match. You can find the total number of pitches by a pitcher, the number of hits he will get, the number of runs a player will score, and more. Anything you can quantify that appears in post-match statistics is likely to be offered as a bet.

Similarly, you can bet on the number of hits that will be made, the number of errors committed, the number of baserunners, and the number of runs scored during the game. The options are numerous and vary depending on the sites you use.

The Long-Term Bets

In MLB, they are called Future bets. These are bets that have a long-term or very long-term scope. For example, you can bet on the winners of the upcoming season's division, as well as the champion of the World Series. As the season progresses, other options will be displayed, usually concerning the MVP, Cy Young, ROY, or who will win the Golden Glove.

The Parlay

We call them combined bets, but to be in the loop, we will refer to them here as Parlay!
They allow bettors to increase their chances of winning by combining several different bets into one big bet. The reward is greater (much greater!) because all the events making up a Parlay must be correctly predicted to win it.

When assembling a combined bet, keep in mind that including one or two underdogs will significantly boost your potential winnings. While betting only on favorites increases the chances of winning, the multipliers are low. The best time to make this kind of bet is when you see a few underdogs you believe in.

The Live Bet

Live betting is a very popular phenomenon, especially in the United States. It is a field for which baseball is very well suited.
The types of bets listed above apply pre-match (before the game) as well as live. With live betting or Live Bets, you can bet on the action in play throughout the duration of the game. You can place bets on every pitch, swing, hit, putout, and more.

Since there are so many defined moments and plays in baseball compared to other sports, live betting adds hundreds of bets to each game. Over the course of an entire season, you will have access to millions of MLB bets thanks to live betting. Just remember, since the odds will only be available for a few seconds, you need to be quick.

The Importance of Advanced Statistics

Advanced statistics are a key element in baseball. They allow bettors to analyze player and team performances, detect trends, and make smarter betting decisions. Here are some of the most important advanced statistics to consider:

ERA (Earned Run Average)

Average earned runs allowed by a pitcher over nine innings. A key indicator of a pitcher's performance.

WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched)

Measures the number of players reaching base per inning. A low WHIP indicates good control by the pitcher.

OPS (On-base Plus Slugging)

Evaluates a batter's offensive effectiveness by combining their ability to reach base and their power at the plate.

FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching)

Evaluates a pitcher's performance independently of their team's defense, focusing on the actions they control directly.

BABIP (Batting Average on Balls In Play)

Indicator of luck or misfortune for batters and pitchers. An abnormally high or low BABIP may suggest a future regression in performance.

External Factors to Consider

Before making a betting decision, professional bettors carefully consider certain external factors that may influence the outcome of a match. So keep a close eye on these parameters:

Weather Conditions

  • Wind: A wind blowing out favors home runs.
  • Temperature: Balls travel further in warm weather.
  • Humidity: Can affect the grip of the ball by the pitcher.

Stadium Configuration

  • Dimensions: Stadiums with close fences favor batters.
  • Altitude: At high altitude, the less dense air allows the ball to travel further (example: Coors Field in Denver).

Schedule and Fatigue

  • Match Series: Teams often play several days in a row, which can lead to fatigue.
  • Travel: Long trips can impact performances, especially during time zone changes.

Injuries and Lineups

  • Key Players Injured: The absence of a star pitcher or batter can change the dynamics of the match.
  • Pitcher Rotation: Knowing the scheduled pitcher and possible changes is crucial.

Advanced Strategies for Experienced Bettors

For experienced bettors, there are several advanced strategies that can increase the chances of success. Here are some of the most common:

Analysis of Individual Matchups

Study the history of confrontations between pitchers and opposing batters. Some batters perform better against specific types of pitches.

Sophisticated Bankroll Management

  • Kelly Strategy: Adjust bets based on perceived advantage to maximize bankroll growth.
  • Betting Units: Use fixed units to manage risks and avoid major losses.

Tracking Betting Lines

  • Odds Movements: Fluctuations can indicate where public or professional bettors' money is heading.
  • Arbitrage: Take advantage of odds differences between bookmakers to guarantee a profit, regardless of the outcome.

Specialization in a League or Team

Knowing a league (MLB, NPB, KBO) or a team in depth allows you to spot opportunities that others might miss.

Choosing Specialized Bookmakers

Choosing bookmakers specialized in baseball is essential for experienced bettors. Here is the list of operators I recommend:

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Why I chose them?

First of all, because these are the bookmakers I personally use and who provide me with the best risk/reward ratios and who pay my winnings without issue.

  • Extensive Betting Offer: Diversity in types of bets, including props and live betting.
  • Competitive Odds: Reduced margins to maximize winnings.
  • Integrated Statistics and Tools: Access to real-time data for informed decision-making.
  • Reliability and Reputation: Ensure that the bookmaker is licensed and regulated.

Leagues and Competitions to Know

The MLB (Major League Baseball)

  • Characteristics: The major league in the United States with 30 teams.
  • Season: From March to October, offering a multitude of daily matches.
  • Particularities: Significant disparity between teams, requiring in-depth analysis.

The NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball)

  • Characteristics: The main league in Japan, recognized for its high level.
  • Season: From March to October.
  • Particularities: More technical style of play, fewer home runs than in MLB.

The KBO (Korea Baseball Organization)

  • Characteristics: South Korean league in full expansion.
  • Season: From March to October.
  • Particularities: Matches often high-scoring, which influences Over/Under bets.

This is a summary; if you want to go into more detail, I have prepared a dedicated page on Leagues and Competitions in baseball.

Essential Resources and Tools

I recommend visiting and subscribing to the following resources:

Baseball Statistics Sites

Mobile Apps

  • MLB At Bat : Live tracking of matches and statistics.
  • ESPN : News, analysis, and real-time scores.
  • The Athletic : In-depth articles and expert analyses.

Online Communities

  • Specialized Forums: To exchange with other bettors and share insights.
  • Social Media Groups: Stay informed about the latest trends and news.

To learn more, I invite you to read the page Essential Resources and Tools.

Tips to Optimize Your Winnings

Keep these five tips in mind; I am sure they will help you progress:

1. Stay Objective
Avoid letting your personal preferences influence your bets. Base your decisions on factual analysis.

2. Keep a Betting Journal
Record all your bets, the reasons behind each decision, and the results. This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.

3. Update Your Knowledge
The world of baseball is constantly evolving. Stay informed about the latest strategies, statistics, and news to stay ahead.

4. Don't Neglect the Bullpen
While starting pitchers are important, relievers can decide the outcome of a close game. Analyze the depth and reliability of the bullpen.

5. Manage Your Emotions
After a series of losses or wins, it is tempting to deviate from your strategy. Maintain strict discipline to ensure long-term performance.

My Summary

Betting on baseball is a complex endeavor that requires a combination of in-depth knowledge, sharp statistical analysis, and rigorous discipline. By mastering the various aspects covered in this guide, you will be able to develop effective strategies and optimize your chances of success. Remember that choosing a specialized bookmaker is crucial to getting the most out of your bets. Baseball offers a rich and exciting universe for seasoned bettors, and this guide is here to accompany you towards new victories.

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I created this little guide to share my knowledge and help new bettors succeed. Indeed, 'minor' sports like Baseball are neglected by bookmakers, but not by all!

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