Baseball betting
Money Line, Run Line and Total are three basic bet types available for baseball betting. Money Line baseball betting simply refers to which of the two teams will win the game. Run Line betting is baseball’s equivalent to NFL’s Point Spread, while Totals betting in baseball relates to the total number of runs scored in a game, similar to soccer’s over/under goals market.
Money Line betting
Once bettors understand how to bet on baseball, the next step is to find out how to get an edge over the bookmaker. There are two main factors to consider that could inform your Money Line baseball betting:
Defence – The starting pitcher
With so many games in a typical MLB (Major League Baseball) season, starting pitchers can rotate so it is important to keep an eye on who will be the starting pitcher for the game. Analysing a team’s bullpen (second choice or “relief” pitchers) can be valuable, but it is ultimately the starting pitcher that provides the biggest impact on the game.
Here are the pitching stats to study: IP (Innings Pitched), WHIP (Walks Plus Hits per Innings Pitched), ERA (Earned Run Average) and WARP (Wins Above Replacement Player).
Offence – The hitters
The hitters are just as important as the pitchers, so it is invaluable to study the games batters. Some statistics are more valuable than others but here are the key ones to keep an eye on: PA (Plate Appearances) wOBA (weighted On-Base Average), OBP (On-Base Percentage) and ISO (Isolated Power) are just a few examples of stats punters should use.
Run Line betting
Good value for money can be found in run line betting, but it also requires slightly more advanced baseball knowledge. At a basic level, for those who know the value of 3 points in NFL betting, 1.5 points is effectively the same thing in baseball betting – it is a 1.5 point handicap that either side must cover for a bet on them to win.
How to bet on baseball
You need to understand how baseball works as a game to be able to bet effectively. A standard baseball game comprises of two teams with nine players on each side. The teams take it in turns to bat and field for nine innings – each consisting of three “outs” for each team – and attempt to score the most runs by circling the four bases on the field.
Totals baseball betting
Just like Totals betting in any other sport, Totals in baseball betting refers to a bet on the total number of points (runs) scored in a game being over or under a figure set by the bookmaker – each team has 27 outs to score as many runs as they can, making it ideal for strategic betting.
Baseball Competitions
Major League Baseball
MLB (Major League Baseball) is the highest level of professional baseball in the world and is made up of 30 teams split up into two leagues, the American League (AL) and National League (NL), with 15 in each. The two leagues are subsequently divided into three divisions, with five teams in each.
The sport is nicknamed “America’s Pastime” and is the oldest professional league setup in the country.
The World Series
The finale of the baseball season culminates in the World Series and features the best team from each of the AL and NL facing off in a best of seven series for the right to be called World Champions.
As the last baseball games of the season, the Series is the final chance for fans to bet on baseball. Drama, bottom of the ninth, the World Series has it all