The 2024 MLB season is almost halfway done and the action is heating up! Most baseball betting fans already have a good idea which team will make the postseason this year. This is because there is a 7 wins gap between the fifth position and sixth position teams. However, it should not stop anyone from profiting on from baseball. Needless to say, Understanding Baseball Betting is essential to making a profit. In this tutorial we go teach you about the MLB Run Lines and how to bet run lines.
According to baseball betting experts, understanding MLB run lines is a fundamental aspect of being successful wagering on baseball. This is because it is seen as the beginning of truly understanding how to bet on sports.
Understanding Baseball Betting: Betting on MLB Run Lines
Because of the limited scoring in baseball, bettors most often bet on MLB Money lines. However, betting the baseball point spread is still possible.
In baseball, the point spread is known as the run line, which is similar to the NHL’s puck line. Oddsmakers set the run line at 1.5 most often with accompanying odds.
Before making MLB wagers in this category, it helps to have a solid understanding of MLB run lines.
To help develop an understanding of MLB run lines, it is best to look at an example. Below, we have the Rockies and Twins per the SportsBettingSolutionAsia.com PreGame lines.
Colorado Rockies +205 +1.5 (-104)
Minnesota Twins -250 -1.5 (+150)
As you can see, the Rockies are the underdog and the Twins are the favorite.
Now, if you like the Minnesota Twins to win by at least two runs, you could get a higher payout at +150 odds.
A $100 bet pays out $150 instead of wagering $130 to win $100 on the moneyline. Another quick thought. Betting lines are different, depending on the sportsbook you’re using. It pays to use multiple sportsbooks to compare betting odds.
If you have a bet on the Colorado Rockies, to win against the Twins, the Twins must either lose by one run or win the game outright. It is rare, but there are times when a run line is adjusted to 0.5 or 2.5.
MLB Run Lines Strategies
In developing a run line betting strategy, it helps to know this. Right around 30 percent of all MLB games end up being one-run games. Depending upon how in tune you are with the MLB, you might think that is surprisingly high or low.
Regardless of what you think, it’s an important stat because it makes picking MLB teams to cover that much harder. Because you know the best baseball sportsbooks know this … and more. The more you know the better.
One simple run line strategy is to avoid laying the 1.5 on a home favorite. Remember, in a nine-inning game with the home team in the lead by one after the top half of the ninth, the home team does not bat in the bottom of the inning.
Another run line strategy involves games in which the moneyline heavily favors one team over the other. Take the following as an example.
- Chicago White Sox +1240 +1.5 (+130)
- Seattle Mariners -280 -1.5 (-150)
The Seattle Mariners are a big favorite over the White Sox. Instead of wagering $280 to win $100, take the better price on the big favorite and wager $150 to win $100.
The same holds true on the other end too. Maybe you like the pitching matchup and are confident that Kiwoom can keep it close. You don’t like the moneyline bet, but you’ll take the plus-money payout on a one-run loss.
It’s possible to find value on MLB run line bets. Be smart and win!