Baseball is hugely popular in both the USA and Canada and it also boasts a number of dedicated followers around the world. It is a sport which is featured prominently by online bookmakers and bettors enjoy regular opportunities to make a profit on the game.

There are thousands of fixtures taking place throughout the season and with a quick-fire schedule part and parcel of the regular MLB campaign, it’s a great way of capitalising on current form and it also presents several opportunities to make money on a regular basis. We take a look at how to bet intelligently on baseball and our advice and tips will hopefully help you make wiser decisions before placing a wager:

Baseball Betting Markets

Money Line
This is the simplest market to exploit and is where the majority of baseball bettors begin. This is a case of predicting which of the two teams will win the game. Each team will be priced up according to their chances and there often tends to be a bias towards the home side. Many baseball punters use these money line prices in a parlay bet as this provides a greater return on investment. Short prices are commonplace in baseball, particularly for sides who have decent form in front of their own fans. Your chosen team must win the match in order to receive a pay-out.

Game Totals
This market is also extremely popular and it is a great way of placing a wager without picking a team to win the match. Totals is predicting the number of runs in the game and this will usually be a pre-determined line by the bookmaker. It will usually be set around the 8.0/9.0 mark although a game contested by two low-scoring sides may see the line reduced accordingly. If two in-form, big hitting sides are playing one another, wagering on overs on the totals market is a good way of getting involved.

Run Line
Bettors can often be put off by the prospect of taking short or prohibitive prices on selections and the run line market is a great way of narrowing down the outcome of any given match. This market is used for predicting the amount of runs that a team will beat their opposition by. If it’s a one-sided clash, taking -1.5 on the run line market allows some room to manoeuvre.
It also allows underdogs to be given a chance. If you believe that the market has been priced up incorrectly and that the outsiders have been underrated by the bookmaker, +1.5 is a great way of predicting a close game.

Example:
Team A @ Team B – Team B are the short-priced favourites

Team B -1.5 on the run line market – They would need to win by two clear runs in order to receive a pay-out. 5-3, 6-4 or 3-1 would all be winning score-lines.

Team A +1.5 on the run line market – They would to keep within a run of their hosts in order for you to receive a pay-out. 5-4, 3-2 or 2-1 would all be winning score-lines.

1st Innings
You don’t always need to wait until the conclusion of the match in order to receive a pay-out. Punters are able to have a wager on which side will be leading after the first innings. Assessing whether a side have the tendency to make a quick start or take advantage of inexperienced pitchers are often factors which can help in this market.

Anytime Run Scorer
There are many prop markets available on each and every MLB game. Predicting which player will score a home run is one of the many ways of wagering on an individual’s performance. Players often score runs against particular sides or go through purple patches and this is key to making a profit on this market.

Things to Consider When Betting on Baseball

Starting Pitcher is Vital
When assessing a game, it is imperative that you focus on the starting pitcher. With a heavy schedule throughout the MLB season, many teams will rotate their starting pitcher and inexperienced players can often help shape the game. Experienced starting pitching usually excel at home and it’s also important to check their stats during away fixtures. NEVER place a wager until you know who the starting pitcher is.

Another factor to consider is how the starting pitcher copes against left-handed/right-handed opponents as this can also help skew the stats. If they struggle against lefties and the majority of the opposition’s line-up will be batting right-handed, they are likely to dominate.

Statistics are widely available on a pitcher’s ERA and it is usually worked out on an average of nine innings. Don’t underestimate the importance of a starting pitcher and how they can help you shape your bets.

Weather Conditions
Weather conditions play a vital part in shaping the outcome of a game. Strong winds will certainly have an effect and they will definitely have a say on the result. Pitchers who have the wind behind them will certainly benefit from it whilst a designated hitter is likely to want a strong breeze in their favour.

It may seem like a lot of work but if you’re going to profit from baseball, you can’t afford to underestimate the power of the weather.

It isn’t just wind that will heavily affect the outcome of any given match with high temperatures often reducing the pitcher’s ability to grip the ball whilst a low sun can also prove problematic. It isn’t always possible to access a full and detailed forecast but if it looks variable, it may be worth adjusting your stake accordingly.

Not necessarily directly related to weather conditions but air density can also play a part with Coors Field in Denver located a mile above sea level and this is always something to consider when backing against the hosts.

Previous Head to Heads
Like many sports, there are rivalries in baseball. Some teams do not like playing a particular opposition and traditionally struggle to see out a series against them. There are other head to head records which have stood for many years and it is always advised to keep this in mind when placing a wager.

Home advantage is also vitally important. If the visiting side go 2-0 up in a series, they are unlikely to maintain that lead throughout the remainder of the contest. Teams are rarely swept aside in the MLB and a comeback of some sorts is likely.

Bullpen Can Also be an Important Factor
Whilst it is recommended to focus on the starting pitcher, a decent bullpen can also help shape any given match and a coach with this at his disposal is at a distinct advantage. These relief pitchers can be called upon at any stage and it is always advised to keep an eye on which players are beginning their warm-up tosses.

Tips and Advice

If you have any doubts, don’t wager
With an abundance of baseball games taking place on a daily basis, it is possible to be selective. If you have any doubts about the starting pitcher or you are unsure of a side’s ability to close out a series, it is strongly advised to look elsewhere.

There are many more wagering opportunities that may prove to be safer options.

Do Your Research
You may believe that you are knowledgeable about baseball but there is always more research which can be carried out. Form is only temporary and teams can change their approach overnight. Watch as any highlights as possible and always attempt to second guess the tactics of the two sides involved.

Try and Plot the Flow of the Game
Certain sides will play the game in a particular way and they will often set-up in a similar fashion. Coaches can be creatures of habit and many of them are also stubborn. They will often replicate their tactics and this offers bettors the opportunity to analyse each aspect of the game. If you can work out how the game may play out, this can be hugely advantageous and it also lends itself to in-play betting.

Look at a Team’s Schedule
The MLB season can be full throttle and there is very little rest time for teams. Pitchers will be rotated and injuries will be picked up. Always analyse a team’s schedule. Are they facing a punishing schedule which includes long trips between stadiums? Are they playing back-to-back matches? How did they cope the last time they had such a punishing schedule? All of these factors can help determine the outcome and should be considered.