Learn More About MLB (Baseball)

Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of professional baseball in North America. It consists of 30 teams, divided into two leagues:

• American League (AL) – 15 teams
• National League (NL) – 15 teams

Each league is further divided into three divisions:

• AL East, AL Central, AL West
• NL East, NL Central, NL West

The MLB season consists of 162 games per team, running from March/April to October, followed by the playoffs and culminating in the World Series, where the champions of the AL and NL face off.

MLB Season Structure

1. Regular Season

   • Each team plays 162 games.
   • Teams compete within their own league and interleague matchups also occur.

2. All-Star Break

   • Takes place in July, featuring the MLB All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby.

3. MLB Playoffs (Postseason)

   • Wild Card Round: The top 3 division winners in each league automatically qualify for the Division Series. The remaining top 3 teams (wild cards) face off in a short series.
   • Division Series (ALDS/NLDS): Best-of-5 series.
   • Championship Series (ALCS/NLCS): Best-of-7 series to determine the league champions.
   • World Series: The AL and NL champions face off in a best-of-7 series to determine the overall MLB champion.

How to Bet on MLB

Betting on baseball involves various wagering options, ranging from simple moneyline bets to complex prop bets. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Moneyline Betting (Most Popular)

• Pick which team will win the game.
• Example:
  • New York Yankees (-150) vs. Boston Red Sox (+130)
  • A -150 favorite means you need to bet $150 to win $100.
  • A +130 underdog means betting $100 will win you $130.

2. Run Line Betting (Point Spread)

• The standard MLB spread is always set at -1.5 or +1.5 runs.
• Example:
  • Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+120) vs. San Francisco Giants +1.5 (-140)
  • If you bet Dodgers -1.5, they must win by at least 2 runs.
  • If you bet Giants +1.5, they can lose by 1 run or win outright for your bet to win.

3. Over/Under (Total Runs)

• Betting on how many total runs will be scored in a game.
• Example:
  • Over 8.5 (-110) / Under 8.5 (-110)
  • If the game’s total runs exceed 8.5, the Over wins.
  • If 8 or fewer runs are scored, the Under wins.

4. First Five Innings Betting

• Similar to moneyline/run line but focuses only on the first five innings instead of the full game.

5. Player Props & Team Props

• Betting on individual player or team performances. Examples:
  • Home Runs: Will Aaron Judge hit a home run?
  • Strikeouts: Will a pitcher get over/under 6.5 strikeouts?
  • Total Hits/Runs/RBIs: Will Mookie Betts get over/under 1.5 total bases?

6. Live Betting

• Betting on games while they are happening with constantly changing odds.

7. Futures Bets

• Long-term bets, such as:
  • World Series Winner
  • MVP Winner
  • Cy Young Award Winner (Best Pitcher)
  • Most Home Runs in a Season

MLB Betting Strategies & Tips

1. Understand Pitching Matchups – A game’s outcome is heavily influenced by the starting pitchers.
2. Check Team Form & Trends – Look at recent performances, injuries, and head-to-head records.
3. Weather Matters – Wind, humidity, and temperature affect scoring.
4. Ballpark Factors – Some stadiums favor hitters (Coors Field), others favor pitchers (Oracle Park).
5. Betting Against the Public – If too many people bet on one team, the odds might be skewed.
6. Monitor Bullpens – A team’s relief pitchers can impact late-game results.
7. Shop for Best Odds – Different sportsbooks offer slightly different odds, so finding the best value is key.

Final Thoughts

MLB betting offers a wide variety of wagering options that cater to both casual and serious bettors. Understanding the season structure, game mechanics, and key betting strategies will help you make more informed bets. Whether you prefer moneyline, run line, totals, or prop bets, baseball provides countless opportunities for profitable betting.