Betting Strategy Guide
How to Bet on Baseball
Key takeaways
- The moneyline is the main bet in baseball because games are low scoring and often decided by one or two runs.
- The run line is baseball's point spread, usually set at 1.5 runs, so the favorite at -1.5 must win by two runs or more.
- Starting pitchers shape baseball prices, and whether a bet stands when a listed pitcher does not start depends on the house rules.
To bet on baseball, you most often pick the winner on the moneyline, then decide whether the run line, the total or a first-five-innings bet suits your view better. Starting pitchers drive most baseball prices, so check who is pitching before you bet.
The main baseball bets
| Market | Example | What wins |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Favorite -160, underdog +140 | Your team wins the game |
| Run line | Favorite -1.5 at +130 | The favorite wins by 2 or more |
| Total | Over/under 8.5 runs | Combined runs over or under the line |
| First five innings | Moneyline, run line or total | Based on the score after five innings |
A worked example
At -160 you risk $160 to win $100 on the favorite, and the price implies 160 ÷ 260 = 61.5%. If you expect a comfortable win, the run line at +130 pays $130 on a $100 bet, but only if the favorite wins by two runs or more. A one-run win loses the run line bet and wins the moneyline bet. More in the moneyline guide and how to read odds.
Run line and totals
The run line works like a point spread set at 1.5 runs: the underdog at +1.5 wins if it loses by one run or wins outright. Totals are often between 7 and 10 runs and move with the pitching matchup, the ballpark and the wind.
Starting pitchers
The starting pitcher is often the biggest single factor in a baseball price, so a late change of starter can shift the line. Sportsbooks handle a change of listed pitcher in different ways, depending on the market and how the bet was placed. Read the house rules before you bet, including how rain delays and postponed games are settled.
First five innings, props and futures
- First five innings: settled on the score after five innings, so the starters matter and the bullpens mostly do not. How a tie after five is settled depends on the market.
- Player props: such as a pitcher's strikeouts or a batter's hits, total bases or home runs.
- Futures: the World Series winner, league and division winners, and season win totals.
Availability varies by event. See the current lines on the MLB odds page.
Betting at Betcris Arizona
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does +1.5 run line mean?
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The team is getting 1.5 runs. A bet on it wins if it wins the game or loses by exactly one run.
Why is the moneyline the main bet in baseball?
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Baseball games are low scoring and often decided by one or two runs, so picking the winner is simpler than betting a margin. The run line is there if you want a spread.
What is a first five innings bet?
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A bet settled on the score after five innings. It focuses on the starting pitchers, since the bullpens usually take over later in the game.
What happens to my bet if the listed pitcher does not start?
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It depends on the sportsbook, the market and how the bet was placed. Check the house rules for how a change of starting pitcher is handled before you bet.
