Introduction:
Baseball is one of America's pastimes and a favorite sport for sports bettors. With its long season, rich history, and statistical nature, the premier baseball competition in the country - the MLB - provides a plethora of opportunities for wagering. In this blog post, we will explore the common betting markets in Baseball, shedding light on the various wagering options available and how they can enhance your betting experience.
Moneyline Betting:
Moneyline betting is one of the most straightforward and popular markets in Baseball. In this market, you simply bet on the outright winner of a game, regardless of the run differential. The odds are adjusted based on the strength of the teams and the starting pitchers. You can choose to bet on the favorite, represented by negative odds, or the underdog, represented by positive odds. Moneyline betting offers simplicity and allows you to focus solely on the outcome of the game.
Using our profitable teams tool, you can see the teams that are doing best against the Moneyline as well as the Run Line and Total markets. You can also use the Streaks tool to view the teams that are in form not only against the Moneyline, but against a range of markets and under any condition.
Run Line Betting:
Run line betting is akin to point spread betting in other sports, and is equivalent to the puck line in NHL. In the MLB, the run line is typically set at 1.5 runs, and you can bet on a team to win by more or less than 1.5 runs. The favorite is typically assigned a -1.5 run line, while the underdog receives a +1.5 run line. Run line betting adds a level of strategy and can provide more attractive odds for favorites or underdogs. Unlike point spreads in other sports, the run line can never result in a Push outcome due to there always being a half run assigned in the line.
See the best recent Run Line Trends with our Angles tool.
Total Runs (Over/Under) Betting:
Total runs betting, also known as over/under betting, focuses on the combined number of runs scored by both teams in a game. The sportsbook sets a line, and you can bet on whether the total number of runs scored will be over or under that line. This market allows you to anticipate the offensive or defensive nature of a game and adds an extra layer of excitement, as you can root for either a high-scoring or low-scoring affair.
First Five Innings Betting:
First five innings betting, also known as 5-inning betting or first half betting, allows you to focus on the outcome of the first five innings of a game. This market is particularly appealing if you have a strong opinion on the starting pitchers or if you want to avoid the volatility of bullpens. You can bet on the moneyline, run line, or total runs specifically for the first five innings, excluding the full game result. First five innings betting offers a condensed version of the game and provides a unique betting opportunity. Depending on the sportsbook, you may also see First Three Innings and First Seven Innings as betting markets; these are the same concepts but result following the first three or seven innings respectively.
Team Totals Betting:
Team totals betting involves wagering on the total number of runs scored by a specific team in a game. The sportsbook sets a line, and you can bet on whether a team will score over or under that line. This market allows you to focus on the offensive capabilities of a particular team and provides an alternative to betting on the overall game total.
Grand Salami Betting:
The Grand Salami is a unique betting market available in MLB, as well as in Hockey. It involves betting on the total number of runs scored across all games played in a single day. The sportsbook sets a line, and you can bet on whether the total runs scored by all teams combined will be over or under that line. The Grand Salami offers a broader perspective on the day's action and can be an exciting way to engage in multiple games simultaneously.
You can check out other Parlays for the day’s play here.
Player Props and other Prop Betting:
Player props in MLB focus on the individual performances of players during a game. You can bet on various player-related outcomes, such as the number of hits, home runs, or strikeouts by a specific player. Player props add an additional layer of engagement as you follow the performances of individual players throughout the game.
There are also other team props generally available, such as team to score first - a betting market which involves predicting which team will score the first run in a game. It adds excitement to the early stages of the game as you root for your chosen team to get on the scoreboard first.
Pitcher Props:
Pitcher props are another subcategory of player props that focus on the individual performance of the starting pitchers in a game. You can bet on various pitcher-related outcomes, such as the number of strikeouts, walks, or earned runs allowed by a specific pitcher. Pitcher props provide an opportunity to analyze pitching matchups and can be a fascinating betting market for those interested in the dynamics of pitching performances.
Inning Betting:
Inning betting allows you to place bets on the outcome of individual innings within a game. You can bet on the moneyline, run line, or total runs specifically for a particular inning. Inning betting provides a more granular approach to wagering and can add excitement to each specific inning, as you root for your chosen outcome.
You can check out Innings stats using the filters on our standings page.
Live Betting:
Live betting, also known as in-play betting, allows you to place wagers on MLB games while they are in progress. With live betting, you can take advantage of the constantly changing dynamics of the game. The odds and betting markets adjust in real-time based on the game's flow, score, and momentum. Live betting provides a dynamic and interactive betting experience, enabling you to make decisions based on the evolving nature of the game.
First Inning Betting:
First inning betting allows you to place bets specifically on the outcome of the first inning of a game. You can bet on the moneyline, run line, or total runs specifically for the first inning. This market adds excitement to the start of the game and provides an opportunity to capitalize on early scoring or strong pitching performances.
Series Betting:
Series betting involves placing bets on the outcome of a series between two teams. In MLB, teams typically play a series of three or four games against each other. You can bet on the series winner or the number of games won by each team. Series betting allows you to engage in the strategic aspect of MLB, analyzing team matchups and performance over multiple games.
Extra Innings Betting:
In MLB, games can go into extra innings if the score is tied after the ninth inning. Extra innings betting allows you to wager on the outcome of the game beyond the regular nine innings. You can bet on the moneyline, run line, or total runs specifically for the extra innings. This market adds an extra level of drama and extends the betting action if the game goes into extra frames.
Reverse Run Line Betting:
Reverse run line betting flips the run line market by allowing you to bet on the underdog to win by more than the assigned run line or the favorite to win by less than the assigned run line. This market provides an alternative perspective to the traditional run line betting and can offer attractive odds for underdog bettors.
Hit Totals Betting:
Hit totals betting involves wagering on the total number of hits by both teams combined in a game. The sportsbook sets a line, and you can bet on whether the total hits will be over or under that line. This market allows you to focus specifically on the offensive performance of the teams and can be an intriguing option for those who closely follow hitters' abilities.
Total Team Hits:
Total team hits betting allows you to wager on the total number of hits by a specific team in a game. The sportsbook sets a line, and you can bet on whether the team will have more or fewer hits than the designated line. This market hones in on a team's offensive production and can be an interesting option for those who closely follow a team's batting lineup.
Most Hits Betting:
Most hits betting involves predicting which team will have the most hits in a game. You can bet on either team or choose a tie option if you believe both teams will have an equal number of hits. This market adds a competitive element to the game and allows you to focus on the hitting performance of the teams.
Total Team Runs:
Total team runs betting allows you to wager on the total number of runs scored by a specific team in a game. The sportsbook sets a line, and you can bet on whether the team will score over or under that line. This market focuses solely on the offensive output of a particular team.
Winning Margin:
Winning margin betting allows you to bet on the margin of victory for a team in a game. The sportsbook sets a range of potential winning margins, and you can bet on whether the actual margin will fall within that range. This market provides an opportunity to predict the competitiveness of a game and can offer attractive odds for precise predictions.
First Home Run:
First home run betting involves predicting which player will hit the first home run in a game. You can choose a specific player from either team or even opt for "no home run" if you believe the game will remain without a home run. This market adds excitement to the early stages of the game as you anticipate the first long ball.
Team to Score Last:
This betting market focuses on which team will score the final run of the game. You can bet on either team or even choose "no run" if you believe the game will end without any further scoring. This market keeps you engaged until the last out of the game.
Total Innings:
Total innings betting involves wagering on the total number of innings played in a game. The sportsbook sets a line, and you can bet on whether the game will go over or under that line. This market is particularly intriguing if you anticipate a close, low-scoring game that could potentially go into extra innings.
Futures Betting:
Futures betting in MLB involves placing bets on events that will occur in the future, typically over the course of a season. This market includes betting on division winners, league champions, and the World Series winner. You can also bet on individual player awards like the Most Valuable Player (MVP) or the Cy Young Award. Futures betting allows you to engage in long-term excitement, as you follow teams and players throughout the season with the potential for significant payouts if your predictions come true.
NRFI / YRFI:
The YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) and NRFI (No Run First Inning) markets offer an exciting betting opportunity for fans. These markets allow bettors to predict whether there will be a run scored in the first inning of the game. If you believe that at least one run will be scored in the opening inning, you can wager on the YRFI option. Conversely, if you think there will be no runs scored in the first inning, you can bet on the NRFI option. The YRFI/NRFI market provides a unique and focused betting option, allowing you to analyze starting pitchers, their early-game performances, and team tendencies. Staying up-to-date with pitching matchups, weather conditions, and teams' offensive capabilities can help you make well-informed wagers in this market. Whether you're looking for a quick payout or want to test your instincts in the early stages of the game, the YRFI/NRFI market adds an additional layer of excitement to MLB betting.
Conclusion:
Major League Baseball (MLB) offers a wide range of common betting markets that cater to the diverse preferences of sports bettors. From traditional moneyline and run line betting to prop bets, futures, and live betting, there are numerous opportunities to engage in MLB wagering and enhance your overall betting experience. These markets allow you to focus on different aspects of the game, including team performances, individual player achievements, specific innings, and more.
By familiarizing yourself with the various betting markets in MLB, conducting thorough research, and utilizing expert analysis, you can make informed betting decisions and potentially increase your chances of success. However, it's important to remember that sports betting should be approached responsibly. Set a budget, manage your bankroll effectively, and only wager amounts that you can afford to lose.
Furthermore, staying updated with the latest team news, injuries, pitching rotations, and statistical trends can provide valuable insights when making your bets. Taking advantage of reputable sportsbooks that offer competitive odds, a wide range of markets, and reliable customer support can further enhance your MLB betting experience.
As with any form of gambling, there are no guaranteed outcomes in MLB betting. Results can be unpredictable, and even the most well-informed bettors can experience losses. It's crucial to approach MLB betting with a mindset of enjoyment, entertainment, and responsible gambling. Remember to practice self-discipline, maintain a long-term perspective, and avoid chasing losses.
Whether you prefer the excitement of game outcomes, the intricacies of player performances, or the strategic analysis of series and futures betting, MLB offers a diverse array of betting markets to suit every bettor's preferences. So, study the markets, analyze the data, and make your wagers wisely. Enjoy the thrill of MLB betting responsibly and may your predictions lead to successful outcomes. Good luck!
