From the moneyline to the run line, here's everything you need to know to bet on baseball
Baseball may be known as “America’s pastime”, but it also has a long history in Canada, with the Toronto Blue Jays hitting the highest peaks of Major League Baseball since debuting in 1977. For fans who want to get closer to the action by betting on baseball, Sports Interaction has you covered with a how-to guide, along with tips and strategies.
Make sure to check out Sports Interactions for complete American Leagues odds, National League odds and MLB futures betting.
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MLB moneyline betting
Moneyline bets are the easiest way to wager on baseball and are a great option for beginner and recreational bettors alike. A moneyline bet is simply which team you think will win. You can always tell which team is favoured to win by a minus (-) sign next to the price. A plus (+) sign indicates the underdog.
In the example, Toronto is a -125 favourite to win on the moneyline. That means, a $100 wager placed on the Blue Jays would pay $180, including your original investment. If you bet $100 on underdog Kansas City at +105, the total payout would be $205.
MLB run line betting
Run line betting is specific to baseball and essentially acts as a point spread. It exists because of the lower scores in baseball compared to sports like football and basketball. The run line is always set at 1.5 and like moneyline betting, the minus sign indicates the team favoured to win and the plus sign indicates the underdog.
In the example, Toronto is favoured on the run line at -1.5. That means the Blue Jays need to win the game by two or more runs for you to cash the bet. If you bet on Kansas City as +1.5 underdogs, you win the bet if the Royals win by any margin, or lose by one run.
Totals betting or Over/Under
Betting on the total, also known as Over/Under, is a wager on how many combined runs will be scored by both teams in a single game. You are betting on whether more or less runs will be scored than the number established by the sportsbook.
The total between Toronto and Kansas City is set at 10 runs in the example. If the Blue Jays win the game 6-5, any bets on the Over win because there are 11 total runs scored. If the Royals win 5-4, any bets on the Under win because there are just nine runs scored. If exactly 10 runs are scored, it is called a “push” and your bet amount is refunded.
First five innings odds
A unique offering for baseball bettors is the “first five innings” bet. All the same rules discussed above still apply, but this type of wager only takes into account the first five innings of a game.
For the most part, starting pitchers can be counted on to last at least the first five innings of a game, so this is like a type of insurance for bettors to have a better understanding of who will be on the mound before the pitching relievers take over.
MLB futures
One of the most popular wagers in any sport is a futures bet. These are often made before the season begins, early in the season, or before playoffs begin. Like the name suggests, this is a bet on a future event like the next World Series winner, or which team will win a division.
Houston is the favourite to win the World Series in the example above. Priced at +445, a $100 bet would earn $445 profit if the Astros win the World Series.
If you take a riskier option like Toronto, the payout can be significantly greater. The Blue Jays are priced at +667 above, but that number can shrink or grow during the season depending on the team’s performance.
The general rule for futures bets is, the earlier you make the wager, the bigger the payout.
Betting tips and strategies
The first rule of betting on any sport is simple, do your research. You probably know a lot about your favourite team, but study the opposing team as well. Who is playing? Is one team dealing with injuries? What is the schedule like for both teams?
Who the starting pitchers will be is arguably the most relevant information when it comes to betting on baseball. Starting pitchers are so important to determining baseball odds, most sportsbooks include the name of the pitcher alongside the odds. Knowing the pitchers is a great way to make a more informed bet.
Remember to stay organized. It’s a good idea to keep track of bets you make and the result, so you can go back later to see what did or didn’t work.
Staying organized also helps with the most important rule of sports betting, which is to manage your bankroll. To help keep sports betting fun, always stay within your limits and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
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This article was written by Sports Interaction. Sports Interaction’s content provides information that helps readers navigate the new landscape of sports betting in Canada.
Please confirm the betting laws and regulations in your jurisdiction as they vary from province to province and country to country. The site is not associated with nor is it endorsed by any professional or collegiate league, association or team.
Information in the above article is for entertainment purposes only and is not targeted to under 19 audiences. Using this information to contravene any law is prohibited. Visit the Responsible Gaming Council's Safer Play to keep gambling safe and fun.