Major League Baseball Betting Guide: Making Sense of Betting Markets

Sportingbet takes baseball betting to an exciting new level, far beyond the usual moneyline wagers (which team will win). While we cover a diverse range of leagues including Korean, Japanese, and college baseball, the true thrill lies within the vast array of markets available for Major League Baseball (MLB). In this guide we’ll break down all the betting markets Sportingbet has to offer.

Point spread betting, also known as game line betting in baseball, is a popular way to wager on the sport. It involves betting on the margin of victory rather than just the outright winner of the game. Here’s a breakdown of how it works using baseball as an example:

In baseball, the game line is typically set at 1.5 runs. This means one team (the favorite) must win by more than 1.5 runs, while the other team (the underdog) can either win the game outright or lose by no more than 1 run to cover the spread.

Let's say the Philadelphia Phillies are playing against the New York Mets, and the game line is set as follows:

• Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (2.20)
• New York Mets +1.5 (1.71)

Here’s what these numbers mean:

• Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (2.20): The Phillies are the favorites, and they must win the game by at least 2 runs. If you bet R100 on the Phillies and they win by 2 or more runs, you will win R220, plus your original R100 bet back.

New York Mets +1.5 (1.71): The Mets are the underdogs, and they can either win the game outright or lose by 1 run. If you bet R140 on the Mets and they win or lose by only 1 run, you will win R171, plus your original R140 bet back.

• Increased Payouts for Favorites: Betting on the game line can offer higher payouts for favorites, as they must win by a larger margin.
• More Balanced Betting Options: The game line can make betting on a game with a heavy favorite more attractive, as the favorite must win by more than one run, leveling the playing field for bettors.

Game line or point spread betting adds an exciting layer to baseball wagering, offering both increased risks and rewards. It requires careful consideration of each team's abilities, recent performance, and matchups. By understanding how game line betting works, you can make more informed decisions and potentially enhance your betting experience.

Prop betting in baseball offers an exciting way to engage with the game beyond traditional bets on who will win. At Sportingbet, prop bets, or proposition bets, allow you to wager on specific events or player performances within the game. From predicting the number of strikeouts a pitcher will achieve, to betting on which batter will hit the most home runs, or even whether there will be a home run in the first inning. Prop bets provide a dynamic and immersive betting experience that brings a new level of excitement to every pitch and swing.

Here are some of the prop bets available at Sportingbet:

Total Runs: A bet on the total number of runs scored by both teams combined, often referred to as the over/under.

Batter vs Batter

This type of bet will select a batter from each team and compare them to one another. You bet on the batter that will do the best in one of the following categories:

• Most on Base: A bet on which batter will reach base the most times, including hits, walks, and hit by pitch.
• Fewest Strike Outs: A bet on which batter will strike out the least.
• Most Extra Base Hits: A bet on which batter will have the most doubles, triples, and home runs combined.
• Most Hits: A bet on which batter will get the most hits.
• Most Home Runs: A bet on which batter will hit the most home runs.
• Most Total Bases: A bet on which batter will accumulate the most total bases, considering singles, doubles, triples, and home runs.

Pitcher vs Pitcher

This type of bet will select a pitcher from each team and compare them to one another. You bet on the pitcher that will do the best in one of the following categories:

• Strike Outs: A bet on the number of strikeouts a pitcher will achieve.
• Pitcher Hits Allowed: A bet on the number of hits a pitcher will allow.
• Earned Runs: A bet on the number of earned runs a pitcher will give up.
• Outs: A bet on the number of outs a pitcher will record.
• Walks: A bet on the number of walks a pitcher will issue.

Batting Props

• Hits: A bet on the number of hits a batter will get.
• RBIs: A bet on the number of runs batted in by a batter.
• Bases: A bet on the total bases a batter will accumulate.
• H+R+RBI: A bet combining a batter’s hits, runs, and RBIs.
• Stolen Bases: A bet on the number of bases a batter will steal.
• Total Runs: A bet on the total runs scored by a batter.
• Singles/Doubles/Triples: A bet on the number of singles, doubles, or triples a batter will hit.
• Strike Outs: A bet on the number of times a batter will strike out.
• Walks: A bet on the number of walks a batter will receive.

Team and Inning Props

• How Many Home Runs will Team 1 Score: A bet on the total number of home runs scored by a specific team.
• Will There Be a Home Run in the First Inning?: A bet on whether any player will hit a home run in the first inning of the game.
• Total Runs and Moneyline: The total amount of runs a team will score as well as which team will win the match.

First Plate Appearance

In the First Plate Appearance betting market, you can bet on what will happen when a specific batter steps up to the plate for their first at-bat. Here are the possible outcomes you can wager on:

• Walk/Hit by Pitch: Predict whether the batter will reach first base via a walk or being hit by a pitch.
• Strikeout: Bet on whether the batter will strike out during their first plate appearance.
• Single: Wager on the batter hitting a single, which means they safely reach first base.
• Double: Bet on the batter hitting a double, reaching second base on their hit.
• Triple: Predict that the batter will hit a triple, making it to third base.
• Home Run: Wager on the batter hitting a home run, where the ball is hit out of the park and the batter scores.
• In Play Outs and Errors: Bet on whether the batter’s hit will result in an out or if the batter will reach base due to a fielding error.

These betting options provide a detailed and engaging way to predict the batter’s performance during their first appearance at the plate.

Whether you're delving into point spread betting, where the margin of victory becomes crucial, or exploring the dynamic world of prop bets that focus on individual player performances and specific game events, there's something for every baseball enthusiast. With detailed betting options for every aspect of the game, from pitcher duels to first plate appearances, Sportingbet ensures an immersive and exciting betting experience. By understanding these various betting markets, you can enhance your betting strategy and enjoy the thrill of every pitch, swing, and inning. Dive into the world of MLB betting with Sportingbet and elevate your game to new heights!