Baseball betting offers many exciting opportunities, with plenty of options to suit both beginners and experienced bettors. Major League Baseball (MLB) provides a long season filled with games, giving fans countless chances to place wagers. In this article, we’ll explain the different types of baseball bets and how they work.

Types of Baseball Bets

Baseball betting includes a wide range of bet types, from straightforward moneyline bets to more complex options like parlays and prop bets.

1. Moneyline Bets

A moneyline bet is one of the simplest forms of baseball betting. You are wagering on which team will win the game outright. Each team is assigned odds, with the favorite having lower odds and the underdog offering a higher potential payout.

For example:

• Team A (-120): You must bet $120 to win $100 if this favorite wins.
• Team B (+130): A $100 bet on this underdog would win you $130 if they win.

Moneyline bets are popular in baseball because predicting a winner is often seen as easier than betting on spreads.

2. Run Line Bets

The run line is baseball’s version of a point spread. In a run line bet, the favorite must win by more than a specified number of runs, usually 1.5. On the other hand, the underdog can either win outright or lose by fewer than 2 runs to cover the spread.

For example:

• Team A -1.5 (+120): This means the favorite must win by at least 2 runs. A $100 bet would win you $120.
• Team B +1.5 (-140): The underdog can win outright or lose by 1 run. You’d need to bet $140 to win $100.

Run line betting offers a way to balance the odds between mismatched teams, making it a popular option for baseball bettors.

3. Totals (Over/Under) Bets

A totals bet, also known as an over/under, involves betting on the total number of runs scored in the game. The sportsbook sets a total, and you wager on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under that number.

For example, if the total is set at 8.5 runs:

• Over 8.5: You’re betting that the teams will score a combined total of 9 or more runs.
• Under 8.5: You’re betting that the teams will score 8 or fewer runs.

Totals bets are popular because you don’t have to predict which team will win—only the combined score matters.

4. Prop Bets

Prop bets, or proposition bets, are wagers on specific outcomes within the game that may not be directly related to the final score. These bets can focus on player performance or specific game events.

Examples of common baseball prop bets include:

• Player to hit a home run: Betting on whether a particular player will hit a home run during the game.
• Total strikeouts by a pitcher: Wagering on how many strikeouts a specific pitcher will record.
• First team to score: Betting on which team will score the first run.

Prop bets are a fun way to engage with the game beyond just the final score or outcome.

5. Parlay Bets

A parlay bet combines multiple individual bets into a single wager. To win a parlay, all the individual bets must be successful. Parlays allow bettors to combine moneyline, run line, totals, and prop bets into one larger bet.

For example, a parlay might include:

• Team A to win (moneyline)
• Team B to cover +1.5 runs (run line)
• The game total to go over 9 runs

While parlays offer higher potential payouts than individual bets, they are riskier because all selections must win for the parlay to pay out.

6. Futures Bets

A futures bet is a long-term wager placed on events that will occur later in the season. In baseball, popular futures bets include betting on which team will win the World Series, which player will be named MVP, or which team will win their division.

Futures odds change throughout the season based on team and player performance, making these bets dynamic and exciting to follow.

Popular Baseball Leagues to Bet On

Baseball betting isn’t limited to Major League Baseball (MLB). There are several other leagues and tournaments that offer exciting betting opportunities:

• Major League Baseball (MLB): The top professional baseball league in North America, featuring a 162-game regular season and the postseason, culminating in the World Series.
• NCAA College Baseball: College baseball is another popular market, especially during the NCAA Baseball Tournament, also known as the College World Series.
• Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB): Japan’s top professional baseball league, offering competitive play and an exciting alternative for international bettors.
• Korean Baseball Organization (KBO): South Korea’s premier professional baseball league, which has gained popularity among baseball fans and bettors worldwide.

Live Baseball Betting

Live betting, or in-play betting, allows you to place bets during the game as the action unfolds. This type of betting offers dynamic odds that change based on what’s happening in real time.

In live baseball betting, you can place wagers on:

• Which team will score next?
• Will the current batter hit a home run?
• How many runs will be scored in the next inning?

Live betting requires quick decisions and offers the chance to capitalize on shifts in momentum during the game.

Conclusion: Betting on Baseball

Betting on baseball offers a wide variety of wagering options, from straightforward moneyline and run line bets to totals, props, and parlays. With leagues like MLB, NPB, and NCAA baseball, there are plenty of opportunities for fans to engage with the game. Understanding the different types of baseball bets can help you make informed decisions and enjoy the excitement that comes with baseball betting.