Pitch-perfect bets: A comprehensive guide to MLB Betting

Baseball is globally celebrated as one of the most popular sports, with a deep-rooted history, especially in the United States. Major League Baseball (MLB), the world's oldest and highest professional baseball league, continues to captivate fans worldwide with action-packed sporting events! This has also made its way to the online gambling scene, where you can use numerous bonuses and promotions to increase your chances of winning in your bets.

For premier MLB online betting, look no further than Stake, the leading online sportsbook that offers the ultimate baseball betting experience. Explore more about MLB betting right here!

What is MLB?

MLB, short for Major League Baseball, is the top-tier professional baseball league in the United States and Canada. It features a total of 30 teams, divided into two leagues: the National League (NL) and the American League (AL). Among these teams, 29 are based in the United States, while one team represents Canada. 

The MLB serves as the pinnacle of organised baseball, bringing together the best teams and players in the sport.

The regular season of this team sport kicks off in late March or early April and goes on until September. Each team plays a total of 162 games, including both home and away matches. The rankings in the regular season determine which teams advance to the postseason.

In the postseason playoffs of the sports, a total of twelve teams, composed of the six division champions and six 'wild-card' teams, compete. The playoffs consist of four rounds, each featuring a series of games to determine the ultimate champion:

Other MLB events to bet on

In addition to the Regular Season, Playoffs, and World Series, MLB offers various other types of events that provide excellent betting opportunities. Here are some of the other MLB events you can bet on:

All-Star Game

The MLB season takes a break annually for the All-Star game, where top players from the National League and American League compete against each other. It's an exciting time to enjoy the talents of MLB's finest players and make bets based on their performances.

Spring Training

Before the MLB regular season kicks off, there is a pre-season period known as 'Spring Training'. During this time, teams engage in practice games to prepare for the upcoming season.

MLB betting options

Betting on the MLB offers various opportunities beyond wagering on the game’s outcome. Here are some of the best betting markets you can make the most of in MLB:

• Winner (Incl. Extra Innings): Bet on the team that you believe will win the match, including any extra innings that may be played. 
• Total (Incl. Extra Innings): Involves predicting the total number of runs scored by both teams combined, including any runs scored in extra innings. The sportsbook sets a specific number, and you can bet on whether the actual total score will be over or under that set number.
• Handicap (Incl. Extra Innings): One team is given a virtual advantage or disadvantage in terms of runs before the game starts. The handicap is then added or subtracted to the team's actual score at the end of the game, and the adjusted score determines the outcome of the bet. Bet on whether the team can cover the handicap given.
• Team X Total (Incl. Extra Innings): Focuses on the total runs scored by a particular team, including any runs scored in extra innings. The sportsbook sets a specific number for that team's total runs, and you can bet on whether the actual score of that team will be higher or lower than the set number. 
• Innings 1 to 5 - Total: This bet involves predicting the total number of runs scored by both teams combined in the game's first five innings. It excludes any runs scored in extra innings and only considers the runs scored in the initial five innings.
• Innings 1 to 5 - Handicap: Similar to the innings 1 to 5 total, this bet allows you to bet on the handicap for the game’s first five innings. The handicap is added or subtracted from the team's score during the first five innings, excluding any runs scored in extra innings.

MLB betting odds formats

With MLB’s exciting competition format, there are abundant betting opportunities and chances to win. Understanding MLB odds is crucial; it’s the secret language that tells you the likelihood of outcomes in each match and the potential payouts that await you.

Decimal

Decimal odds are a format represented by decimal numbers, such as 1.5 or 9.00. These odds show the total return you’d receive if your bet wins, including your profit and original bet. The formula for calculating decimal odds is simple: bet amount x odds = total return

Suppose the decimal odds for the Yankees to win are 1.75. If you decide to bet $100 on the Yankees and they win, your total payout would be $175 — your original $100 stake plus the $75 profit.

Fraction

Fractional odds, represented as fractions such as ¾ or ⅕, show how much profit you could make compared to your original bet. The numerator indicates the potential profit, while the denominator displays the bet amount.

If the odds of the Red Sox winning is 2/1, it means that for every $1 you bet, there is a potential return of $2 in profit, in addition to getting back your original stake. So, if you decide to bet $100 on the Red Sox and they win, you would receive a total payout of $200.  

American

American odds, or moneyline odds, are represented by positive or negative numbers, indicating the amount you would need to bet to win $100 (negative odds) or the potential profit you could make on a $100 bet (positive odds).

If the odds for the Dodgers to win is -150, it means you would need to bet $150 on them to potentially win $100 in profit. If the Dodgers win, you will receive a total of $250, which includes your $150 stake and a $100 profit.

On the other hand, say the odds for Giants are +300, it implies that if you bet $100 on them, you have the potential to earn a profit of $300. Should the Giants win, your total payout would amount to $400, including your initial $100 stake and a $300 profit.

MLB tips and strategies to follow

Now that you're familiar with how to read the MLB odds, it's time to start your MLB betting journey. To get started on the right foot, Stake provides you with some of the best tips and strategies to help you make smart bets and win more!

Don’t just bet on favourites all the time

Betting on the favourites may seem like a safe choice, but it's worth noting that bookmakers adjust their odds accordingly. This means that the odds for favourites may not offer as much value or potential profit as other bets. Instead, you can also look for bets that provide better value and potential returns rather than just following the crowd.

Consider the umpires’ influence

Umpires have a big impact on scoring in a baseball game. Some umpires favour pitchers by calling more strikes, while others make it easier for batters to reach base. Also, each umpire has their way of interpreting the strike zone, which affects walks, strikeouts, and overall offence. This is why it’s important to consider the umpire's tendencies when making betting decisions.

Take note of the weather

Weather conditions matter in baseball. Factors like wind, temperature, and humidity can affect team performance. For instance, cold weather can make it harder for pitchers to control the ball, leading to more walks, while strong winds can change the trajectory of pitches. You may consider how teams handle various weather conditions and their record in those situations when making bets.

Focus on starting pitchers

Evaluating starting pitchers is crucial as they set the tone for their team and can have a big impact on the game. Assessing their quality, performance, matchups, bullpen usage, stats, injuries, and rest helps gauge their overall pitching strength. This helps you easily predict what can happen in the game.

Manage your bankroll

When betting on MLB, managing your bankroll should be a top priority. Set a specific budget for your MLB bets and stick to it. This prevents rapid depletion of your bankroll and you can continue to make the most of your bets. When you have a well-structured bankroll plan, you avoid the temptation to chase losses.

Keep track of your betting records

Recording your MLB bets can help you have long-term betting success as it lets you review your performance over time. Keep track of your wagers so that you can see how much you've won or lost. Also, by looking at this record, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, and improve your betting strategy. 

Noting the bet types, teams, pitchers, odds, and other factors can help you spot patterns and trends. This way, you can learn what works best for you and make smarter betting choices in the future.

Bet on MLB at Stake

There's no better time than now to dive into MLB betting at Stake! With Stake, you gain access to a variety of betting markets, along with exciting rewards, bonuses, and special sports betting features, which enhance your betting experience. Here's a simple guide on how to place your MLB bets for real money winnings:

• Create an account: To get started, register an account. Just click on the 'Register' button at the top right corner of the homepage and fill out the necessary fields. You can also sign up using your social media accounts like Facebook, Google, Line, or Twitch.

• Fund your account: Next, you will need to add funds to your account for betting. Click on the 'Wallet' button located at the top centre of the screen. At Stake, you can deposit using your cryptocurrency like Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), and others.

• Navigate to the MLB section: Navigate to the sports betting section and locate the MLB section. Here, you will find various MLB events, such as the Regular Season, All-Star Game, Spring Training, and more. Select the specific event you want to bet on.

• Choose a betting market: Choose the specific outcome you want to bet on within the selected market. For instance, if you have chosen the ‘Winner’ market, select the team you believe will win the game.

• Enter your bet amount: Enter the desired amount of money you wish to wager on the outcome you have selected.

• Confirm your bet: Take a moment to review your bet slip and double-check that all the information is accurate. Once you have confirmed that everything is correct, proceed to confirm your wager.

• Enjoy the game: Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the MLB game! Enjoy the thrill of the game actions and see how your wager unfolds.

Stake is widely regarded as a top bookmaker MLB, offering a seamless and enjoyable experience. Visit the website now to begin your betting journey and increase your chances of winning big. Don't miss out on the opportunity to engage with the exciting world of MLB online betting at Stake!

Frequently Asked Questions

To help you build a solid foundation in MLB betting, here are some common queries that you should know: