MLB Odds, Betting Lines And Spreads

Understanding MLB odds and bets

Baseball provides unique betting opportunities and is heavy on statistics. Therefore, knowing how odds are set and what to get out of them gives you an edge. Whether you are an experienced or casual bettor, learning how to make MLB picks based on the prices offered is vital. You also need to know how to compare major league baseball lines to maximize profit.

How to read MLB betting lines

To improve your chances of winning in MLB betting, it's crucial to understand how to interpret MLB odds. American odds are denoted with a positive or negative sign followed by a number, such as -150. The negative sign indicates the odds for the favorite team, while the positive sign indicates the odds for the underdog team. By being able to read MLB team odds, you can identify betting opportunities that offer the best value for your money.

How to calculate winnings

Thanks to online sportsbooks and odds portals like Oddspedia, you do not have to do much when it comes to calculating payouts. Web-based calculators do the work for you. At Oddspedia, you can calculate winnings by entering the odds and bet amount into a calculator to find the potential win and payout. Once you have these figures, you can decide if certain bets are worth making.

What to know about betting on the MLB

Since baseball is one of America's favorite pastimes, it is not surprising that it is a top offering at betting sites. The MLB season has 26 teams, with each one playing 162 games. So, you get a host of alternatives to stake money on. For a long time, Nevada was the only state where you could wager on the MLB legally. However, that changed when different states were given the mandate to regulate sports betting individually. Whether you can bet on baseball legally depends on where you are. Some states also allow online sports betting. MLB betting is available at local and international sportsbooks. However, a betting website must be licensed to operate in the US. You can wager on a variety of markets, including the MLB playoffs. More on how to bet on the MLB can be found in our MLB betting guide.

Types of MLB bets

You can only make money betting on the MLB if you make successful wagers. For that, you need to be able to distinguish the various kinds of wagers available and learn how to calculate winnings. Below are popular MLB betting options.

Moneyline

Where most US sports favor point spread betting, baseball focuses on the Moneyline. In this bet, you are putting money on one team to win the game outright. The total runs or the winning margin don't influence the Moneyline value. MLB Moneyline odds list the away team on the top or first and the home team at the bottom or second. A -ve symbol is included for the underdog and +ve for the favorite.

Run line

The run line in MLB is similar to the point spread. This bet gives a 1.5 handicap to the stronger side to even the playing field. For example, MLB spreads of +1.5 for the Red Sox and -ve 1.5 for the Dodgers, means that the Dodgers are the favorites and have to win by 2 or more runs for the ticket to payout.

Totals

In MLB totals, the oddsmaker sets the number of combined runs expected in a particular game. Then, you have to stake money on whether the result will be over (more than) or under (less than) the total runs.

Prop bets

A prop or proposition bet lets you wager on players, specific stats, and events in an MLB game. However, you cannot bet on winners, losers, or overall runs. You can put down money on almost everything, like the player who wins the MVP, a particular player hitting a home run, or the team that scores first.

Type of futures bets

MLB World Series odds

MLB World Series odds are a way to show how likely a team is to win the Fall Classic. The odds are displayed as a ratio or a decimal, with favorites having lower odds and underdogs having higher odds. For example, a team with 3:1 odds is considered a favorite, while a team with 10:1 odds is considered an underdog. The lower the odds, the higher the probability the sportsbooks believe that team has of winning the World Series. Below are the current odds provided by FanDuel sportsbook:

MLB MVP odds

MLB MVP odds show which players are favored to win the Most Valuable Player award for the season. Just like with World Series odds, the odds can be displayed as a ratio or decimal, indicating the probability of a player winning the award. Players with lower odds are considered front-runners, while those with higher odds are seen as less likely to win. It's a way for fans and bettors to gauge which players are standout candidates for the MVP title based on their performance and stats during the season. Below are the current odds for the American and National League MVP provided by FanDuel sportsbook:

American League MVP

National League MVP

MLB Cy Young odds

MLB Cy Young odds show which pitchers are favored to win the Cy Young Award, given to the best pitcher in each league. These odds work similarly to MVP odds, with lower odds indicating the frontrunners and higher odds suggesting less likely candidates. Pitchers with impressive stats, such as low ERA and high strikeout numbers, are usually the ones with the best Cy Young odds. It's a way for fans and bettors to track which pitchers are excelling on the mound and have a good shot at earning this prestigious award. Below are the current odds for the American and National League Cy Young odds provided by FanDuel sportsbook:

American League Cy Young

National League Cy Young

MLB Rookie of the Year odds

MLB Rookie of the Year odds highlight which first-year players are favored to win the Rookie of the Year award in their respective leagues. These odds function similarly to MVP and Cy Young odds, with lower odds indicating the top contenders and higher odds suggesting less likely candidates. Players who make a significant impact in their rookie season, with impressive performances and stats, are often the ones with the best odds. It's a way for fans and bettors to follow and predict which newcomers are making a big splash in the league and could be recognized as the top rookies at the end of the season. Below are the current odds for the American and National League Rookie of the Year odds provided by FanDuel sportsbook:

American League Rookie of the Year

National League Rookie of the Year

MLB Manager of the Year odds

MLB Manager of the Year odds showcase which managers are favored to win the Manager of the Year award for their outstanding leadership and performance throughout the season. Similar to other awards odds, lower odds typically indicate the front-runners, while higher odds suggest less likely candidates. Managers who guide their team to success, make strategic decisions that lead to victories, and have a positive impact on their players are often the ones with the best odds. It's a way for fans and bettors to keep an eye on which managers are excelling in their roles and could be recognized for their exceptional coaching abilities at the end of the season. Below are the current odds for the American and National League Manager of the Year odds provided by FanDuel sportsbook:

American League Manager of the Year

National League Manager of the Year

MLB home run leader odds

MLB home run odds for the season are like predicting which player will hit the most home runs throughout the year. Sportsbooks will adjust the odds based on players' performance history, injuries, and other factors. It's a fun way for fans to bet on who they think will be the home run king by the end of the season. Below are the current odds provided by FanDuel sportsbook:

Parlays

With MLB parlays, you increase potential profit by combining several bets on one ticket. You can include a Moneyline, totals, and run line in a parlay bet to maximize the reward if the wager pays. All the selections in parlay bets must-win for the ticket cash out.

Why compare MLB odds on Oddspedia?

When comparing betting odds, expert opinions are vital, and that is what Oddspedia provides. The platform compiles MLB odds from over 30 betting websites, allowing you to choose the best ones. Comprehensive odds comparison makes a significant difference in your MLB betting.

Odds comparison helps you win more on the MLB

Finding the most favorable MLB odds gives you an edge that improves your prospective returns. Comparing prices lets you pick MLB betting lines that increase your profits. Odds comparison can boost your payouts by as much as 15%.

Find the best MLB odds for today

At Oddspedia, you are sure about the latest odds from top sportsbooks in the US. The site updates information in real-time. So, if you want lines and odds for today's MLB games, Oddspedia is the right platform. Instead of relying on prices from one sportsbook, you get current deals from leading operators.

Track line movement

Whether you wish to bet on the regular MLB season or the playoffs, learning how to track line movement is a huge advantage. You have to keep an eye on how MLB odds shift from one moment to another because this movement reflects the betting market.

Find the best MLB sportsbooks

Another big reason to prioritize odds comparison is to find reputable and suitable betting sites. US bettors have a plethora of sportsbooks from which to select. However, these platforms are not all built the same. Some operators are more suitable for MLB betting than others. Oddspedia simplifies your search for the best sportsbook. With MLB odds from over 30 operators, you do not have to open multiple accounts on different websites. 

Compare World Series odds, sportsbook promos, and MLB lines before settling on a few sportsbooks. Thanks to Oddspedia, you can watch major league baseball on some of the top-rated sites in the US, like BetMGM, Unibet, and 888Sport.

MLB baseball odds and betting FAQ

What is an MLB run line?

It refers to a 1.5-run advantage given to the underdog in a bid to level the odds. Due to the low scores in MLB games, 1.5 is the standard number of runs in this MLB bet.

How to use betting odds comparison for the MLB

Searching for the best MLB lines and odds can be taxing when considering offers from several sportsbooks. Oddspedia allows you to compare odds from more than 30 betting sites, giving you a chance to get maximum returns.

What do +1.5 odds mean?

This run line bet gives the underdog (weaker) team a 1.5-run advantage. If you predict the team will cover the 'spread,' it must lose by a single run or win outright.

Which sportsbook has the best odds for the MLB?

Three of the top sportsbooks for the best MLB Odds are;

1. Betway is a suitable sportsbook for beginners, whether you prefer desktop or mobile betting. It has some of the most competitive MLB odds and has vast market coverage.
2. Draftkings Sportsbook is a reputable local operator with generous bonuses, a variety of odds boosts, and enhanced payouts.
3. Fanduel caters to a wide variety of MLB betting needs, from futures to totals to Moneyline for all events.

Are there successful betting strategies for baseball?

The first rule of sports betting is to diligently shop for MLB odds to ensure you're getting the best prices available. Additionally, it's essential to stay informed by reading baseball betting news and analysis to understand what the experts are saying about different MLB picks.

While it may be tempting to choose heavy favorites based on public sentiment, it's important to exercise caution and consider all factors before making your wagers.

How do you calculate MLB Vegas odds?

In MLB betting, odds are usually listed in the American format - with -ve for the favorite and -ve for the underdog. Vegas odds of +200 and -130, for instance, indicate that you would win $200 on a $100 wager if you bet on the underdogs. Betting on the favorite team requires you to stake $130 to win $100.