The Major League Baseball season is a test for players and bettors alike. Wagering on baseball is tough, especially if you donโt have the right betting strategy.
Before you check out a game line, worry about pitching matchups, or see how hitters are doing, itโs time to have a baseball betting strategy in tow.
Check out the rest of this guide and put yourself in the best position to post a positive wagering record.
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What is the Best Baseball Betting Strategy for MLB?
Betting strategies are quite common but can run the gamut. Some like to just look at the line, others check out the pitching matchups, even the umpires, while others wager on each inning as the game unfolds. No matter how you plan on betting, you can give yourself a better chance to win each week by implementing these strategies.
1. Divisional Road Underdogs
Seeing a matchup between a good team and a big underdog seems like an automatic pick. That said, one of the best values in betting is to consider a big divisional underdog playing on the road. The line odds in games like these are often tremendous value, but thatโs not the point.
Divisional opponents know one another quite well. Each team in the division plays one another 13 times, creating a ton of familiarity. You can exploit a favorable line by betting on an underdog on the road against a team higher in the standings. It will lose more than it wins, but the value of those bets will add up quickly.
2. Tail the Best Teams
One of the best strategies in betting is to keep things simple. It can be all too simple to analyze the line, how the pitcher is performing, the pitching matchup, and even break things down according to each inning. It can get too complex far too fast.
Though it can be enticing to pick an underdog in each game, the best bet is to take the favorite. A team that is sitting at the top of the standings provides a safer line to bet on each game, even if there is no โguarantee.โ The pitcher definitely matters, but the best teams in the league typically are more consistent.
3. Fade the Awful Teams
There are consistently a handful of teams that not only have a losing record but are among the handful of the very worst in the league. Each game fade that team or teams because it is more than likely going to result in a win.
In betting, you are looking for advantages. A team with a bad bullpen can make for a great live betting option if they are prone to the late-inning collapse. Find the bad teams, bet against them each game, and consider getting in on them when they have a certain pitcher on the mound.
4. Bankroll Management
The line, the pitching matchup, and other aspects of the game can make things unique. But one consistency in your game should be keeping your stakes consistent. Far too many bettors mix up their wagering units, creating inconsistencies that are hard to maintain.
Keep your betting units consistent no matter how well youโre doing (or not). Mixing up wagering limits will more often than not result in a bad losing streak that leaves you with nothing left to do but make a deposit. Keep your bets consistent.
5. Follow the Streaks
Streaks are critical in baseball, whether it be a team or individual player. Each inning is different, but players and teams remain consistent over the course of a game. Maybe a pitcher has been striking out a lot of batters or getting outs with regularity.
Whether it be a pitcher or team, find those streaks. They arenโt a guarantee, but they do provide some kind of regularity in a world that is quite difficult to predict. Identifying streaks early in the process and riding them is the key.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Baseball Season
Having all the data or implementing betting strategies wonโt mean a whole lot if you are committing the cardinal sins in betting. Read on to learn more about the things that you should avoid when it comes to betting on MLB baseball over the course of the season.
Betting Variance
Strategies only work if you are consistent each night. One of the biggest mistakes bettors make is changing up their wagering limits. This happens most often when players lose, then wind up chasing the big win to erase their losses. A baseball betting strategy is only effective if there is consistency, and you ride it regularly.
Keep your betting units uniform when wagering. For example, if you bet $5 per game, donโt mix it up by placing larger bets on day games, chasing specific matchups, etc. You may win some, but it isnโt a baseball betting strategy that is going to provide a positive record in the long run.
Wagering on Parlays and Home Runs
When looking up strategies, you are going to see parlays mentioned. Parlays make you an underdog because they require multiple teams to hit in a single bet. Each game is different, and the season is so long that an underdog can overtake the opposing team at any time. Having to get each game right is just too much risk to win on a regular basis.
Also popular is wagering on home runs. The odds of hitters knocking one into the bullpen are slim in any game. The very best hitters have 40-50 home runs, and there are maybe a handful of them each season. Home runs might be fun to bet on each week, but the real focus should be on single games and specific matchups.
Keep Emotion Out of It
Being successful in betting is about remaining calm and analytical. The sportsbooks gain an advantage in betting when you let emotion get involved and disrupt your strategies. Each line should be approached with as much data as possible, not on how you feel about a specific pitcher or team.
Strategies are effective only when you bet with a focus on the line, the starters, and any example of how each team performs against one another. By betting against a team you hate or taking an underdog because your opinion of the home team is skewed will have a seriously negative impact on your record.
How Do You Read Baseball Betting Lines?
If you are going to partake in MLB betting throughout the season, you need to know how odds work. Though things like the pitcher, team record, umpires, and other details come into play, you need to know how to read the odds.
Letโs say youโre interested in a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. The odds have the Dodgers at -120, meaning they are expected to win. With plus odds, the Yankees would then be expected to lose. The Dodgers arenโt a big favorite here, indicating that either team could realistically walk away with the win.
Where to Bet on Baseball in the USA?
If you plan on betting on Major League Baseball, you need to know which sportsbooks are worth paying attention to. Whether it be competitive odds, fantastic bonuses, a simple search function, or an easy-to-use system, these sportsbooks make every day of play worthwhile for bettors.
FanDuel
FanDuel attracts bettors with one of the best wagering platforms on the market. Win big right from the jump thanks to a huge sign-up bonus, giving you more money to bet on the MLB season. Bettors will find a system that is easy to use and one of the best apps on the market.
DraftKings
While the matchups are what keep bringing bettors back to play, it is the platform that keeps them there. DraftKings is tough to beat regardless of the strategies being used. The welcome offer is one of the best in the business and surprising odds boosts that make each game more exciting.
BetMGM
During the baseball season, each day offers tremendous value for each game. The BetMGM team offers fantastic odds on each of the matchups, appealing to strategies of all sorts. BetMGM also has a great rewards system, providing even more value the more you play.
Caesars
Paying attention to every team, game, and hit can feel overwhelming given how long the MLB regular season is. Each inning has more value than ever thanks to Caesars Sportsbook. Start out with awesome new user promotions and earn more money with each win thanks to regular odds boosts.
Fanatics
The world of sports betting is comprehensive, making it tougher to find a quality sportsbook. Fanatics may be a new name in sports and baseball betting, but it is already becoming one of the best places to bet on baseball each night. The rewards program could be the best in baseball betting, making it a must if you are looking for a win.
bet365
The biggest advantage in betting on the MLB is in the sign-up bonus. Win or lose, bet365 is providing new players with bonus money right from the jump. There is no catch, and those bonus bets can make all the difference in your baseball betting strategy. A major bonus should be expected, and bet365 is arguably the best example in the sports betting world.
Current MLB Standings
If you want to further see which teams are favored to win check out the current MLB standings below: