How to Bet on Baseball Online 2026
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Last Updated: 17 December, 2025
Baseball betting is one of the most popular ways to add excitement to the season.
Whether you're new or experienced, learning how to bet on baseball games gives you a better shot at making smart picks.
How to bet on baseball games: 5 steps to get started
Types of baseball bets
Before betting on MLB or college games, it’s important to know the most common types of baseball bets.
These are the core options you’ll see across all sportsbooks.
Moneyline
The moneyline is the most straightforward type of baseball bet. You’re simply picking which team will win the game.
If a team is listed at -140, you need to bet $140 to win $100. If the odds are +120, a $100 bet would win you $120.
Because baseball doesn’t use traditional point spreads like football or basketball, the moneyline and 3-way moneyline are one of the most common bet types.
Run Line
The run line is baseball’s version of a point spread and is usually set at 1.5 runs.
If you bet on the favorite at -1.5, that team must win by two or more runs for the bet to pay out.
If you bet on the underdog at +1.5, the team can lose by one run or win outright, and your bet still wins.
Run line bets often offer better odds than moneyline bets but carry a bit more risk.
Over/Under (Total)
Over/Under bets focus on the total number of runs scored by both teams in a game.
If the line is set at 8.5 and the final score is 5-4, the total is 9 runs, so the over wins. If the game ends 4-3, the under wins.
These bets are influenced by starting pitchers, bullpens, weather, and ballpark dimensions, all of which can affect run production.
Prop Bets
Prop bets let you wager on specific outcomes within a game that aren’t tied directly to the final score.
Player props include bets on strikeouts, hits, home runs, RBIs, or total bases.
Some books offer combo props like hits plus runs plus RBIs.
Team props might cover total runs, number of hits, or whether the team will score in the first inning.
These bets are ideal for fans who follow certain players or matchups closely.
Parlays
A parlay combines two or more bets into a single wager. All selections in the parlay must win for the entire bet to cash.
While parlays offer much higher payouts than single bets, they’re also riskier; one loss and the entire ticket fails.
In baseball, where games can be unpredictable, parlays can be especially tough to hit but remain popular for the potential upside.
Futures
Futures bets are long-term wagers on events that won’t be decided for weeks or months.
In MLB, that might include betting on the World Series winner, league champions, division winners, or season awards like MVP or Cy Young.
You can also bet on season win totals or whether a team will make the playoffs.
In college baseball, you might bet on a team to reach or win the College World Series.
Futures usually offer higher odds and bigger payouts but require more patience and a stronger long-term view.
Prop bets and futures in online baseball betting
Prop bets and futures give you more ways to bet beyond just picking winners.
They’re especially useful if you follow certain players or teams closely.
Player Props
These bets focus on individual stats. For hitters, you can bet on things like total bases, hits, runs, or RBIs.
For pitchers, common props include strikeouts, walks, or outs recorded.
Some sportsbooks offer combo props, like hits + runs + RBIs.
If a player goes 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, that’s three total on a line set at 2.5, so the Over hits.
Team Props
Team-level props include things like total runs scored or whether a team will hit a home run.
You might also see short-term props like “Will this team score in the first inning?”
Futures Bets
Futures are long-term bets on how the season will play out.
You can place these before the season starts or while it’s in progress.
One of the most common futures is picking the World Series winner.
You might also bet on who will win the AL or NL, who will take a division, or how many games a team will win.
For example, if the Yankees are +150 to win the AL East, a $100 bet would pay $150 profit if they finish first.
You can also bet on player awards, like MVP, Cy Young, or Rookie of the Year.
These odds shift all season based on performance.
A star like Shohei Ohtani might be heavily favored at -1200, while a breakout player could be +750 or more.
Getting in early on rising players is where value often lies.
Some sportsbooks also offer bets on stat leaders, like who will hit the most home runs, strike out the most batters, or steal the most bases.
These can be risky but offer long odds and big payouts.
In college baseball, futures usually focus on postseason results.
You can bet on a team to win its conference, reach the College World Series, or win the whole thing.
Not all books offer college futures, so you’ll need to shop around.
Futures bets take longer to settle, but they can be some of the most rewarding.
If you follow teams or players closely, you’ll have a shot at spotting value before the odds catch up.
Live and in-game betting
Live betting lets you react in real time.
We use it when the pregame line didn’t offer value, but the game flow gives us a better shot.
If a starter looks shaky early or a bullpen is burned out, live odds can shift quickly.
That’s where we step in.
We’ve also found value in betting totals after watching how the first few innings unfold.
Some online sportsbooks now offer micro betting, like guessing the outcome of the next pitch or at-bat.
It’s fast-paced and risky, so we use it sparingly and only when we spot a clear edge.
Live betting keeps you locked in, but don’t chase every swing.
Pick your spots and bet with a plan.
Tips for smarter baseball betting
We’ve spent years betting on baseball, tracking stats, testing systems, and learning from wins and losses.
These are the tips we use ourselves on MLB betting sites because they’ve worked.
Start with the Starting Pitchers: This is always our first check. Pitchers drive game outcomes more than anything else. We look at recent form, pitch count trends, and how they match up against the opposing lineup.
Know the Parks and Weather: Some ballparks play small, others play big. We’ve seen how a warm night with wind blowing out can turn a pitcher’s duel into a slugfest. Always check the weather and park factors before betting totals.
Play the Matchups, Not the Names: Big-name teams or star players can skew public opinion. We’ve found better value backing teams with the right matchup, not just the biggest names. Splits against lefties or righties can tell you a lot.
Watch the Line Moves: We track opening lines and where they move. If sharp money pushes the line early, it’s often for good reason. We don’t blindly follow, but it’s always worth a second look.
Stick to a Budget: No one wins every day. We set a weekly betting limit and stick to it, even during a hot streak. Bankroll discipline is the difference between betting long-term and burning out.
Dig Into Props and Futures Early: We’ve had the most success with player props and early-season futures, before markets adjust. We use expected stats like xBA, hard-hit rate, and pitch velocity to spot breakout trends before the odds catch up.
Stick to these top MLB betting strategies and you'll have a great base to start playing.
Frequently asked questions
You can view our dedicated page for more information on how we test and review sportsbooks.
Additionally, you can view all of our sportsbook reviews for the top platforms you can bet on baseball.
How to bet responsibly on baseball betting sites
Although knowing your sports helps, betting is primarily luck-based, so use these top tips to practice responsible gambling when placing a bet:
Limits: Betting sites allow you to set betting limits, i.e. limit how much you can bet in a day, a week, or a month.
Cashouts: You can withdraw your winnings quite easily from any baseball betting site, which prevents you from spending all of your winnings.
Help & resources: Betting sites provide access to resources for problem gamblers and point them to organizations that can help with gambling addiction.
To help with gambling, we created a 'How To Bet On Sports' guide, that helps new sports bettors understand the industry better, to play safer and more securely.
Problem gambling organizations and charities in the US
Why you can trust us
At Sporting Post, we prioritize accuracy, objectivity, and transparency in every piece of content we write.
Our expert team conducts thorough, real-world testing of betting platforms, ensuring reviews and insights are unbiased and reliable from a human perspective.
We adhere to strict ethical standards, maintaining editorial independence and avoiding conflicts of interest, while regularly updating our content to reflect the latest trends and developments.
Our mission is to empower bettors with trustworthy information, backed by rigorous research and a commitment to responsible gambling.
You can trust us to provide clear, concise, and honest advice, helping you make informed betting decisions.
Editorial policy
Our editorial policy ensures thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content through strict sourcing standards and diligent review by top betting experts and seasoned editors.
This process maintains the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.
References
To test betting site products accurately, we dive into analytical research of the sports gambling industry, so we understand what features are best for you. Below are some of the references we use when making such decisions: