MLB moneyline explained
Who do you think will win? Find out how to place a moneyline bet on the Major Leagues.
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Major League Baseball betting guide
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the pinnacle of America’s oldest and, arguably, most beloved sport. MLB betting online is a great way to feel connected to the game and become more invested in each contest. There are many ways in which you can do so, and we can help you cover your bases.
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What is the World Series?
The World Series is the culmination of the MLB season where the winner gets the biggest prize in baseball – the title of World Series champion. With the length of the MLB regular season (a huge 2,430 games in total) and structure of the playoffs, it is often viewed as the hardest title to win among the four major North American sports.
The duration of the regular season makes it possible for several teams to appear to be favorites during the season. This helps make betting on the World Series one of the most popular and exciting sports betting opportunities.
Reigning champions
2020 World
Series winner
Los Angeles Dodgers
The reigning World Series champions are the Los Angeles Dodgers. They beat the American League champions, the Tampa Bay Rays, in the best of seven series, 4-2.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entirety of the 2020 World Series was played at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. This made it the first ever World Series to be played at a neutral venue.
2020 World
Series MVP
Corey Seager
Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager was named MVP of the World Series after hitting .400 during the Series and recording an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of 1.256. He had two home runs, recorded five runs batted in (RBI) and scored seven runs.
Heading into the Series, MLB odds had him pegged as a longshot to win this award at +1200, but his odds had shortened to +175 heading into Game Six.
2020 American
League winner
Tampa Bay Rays
The American League (AL) is one of two leagues that make up MLB. The Tampa Bay Rays are in the AL East division. They were not an MLB betting favorite to win this division when the season began (+330), but the MLB odds favored them in the end as they won by seven.
Many MLB predictions did not have them picked to win the AL title either. They began the season with +1000 odds to win the AL and ended up beating the Houston Astros in seven.
2020 National
League winner
Los Angeles Dodgers
The National League (NL) is one of two leagues that make up MLB. The Los Angeles Dodgers, the NL West winners, have been one of the more dominant teams in baseball in recent years.
They entered the 2020 season with great MLB playoff odds and were heavily favored to win. After falling into a 3-1 hole against the Atlanta Braves in the NL Championship Series, they staged a comeback and won the best of seven series, 4-3.
2020 National
League MVP
Freddie Freeman
Many MLB predictions focused on Mookie Betts to win the NL MVP after he was traded to the Dodgers; Freeman was in the conversation but had much longer odds. While Betts had a good year, Freeman had an even better one for the Braves, hitting .341 on the season (second best in the NL), recording an OPS of 1.102, and leading the stats in extra-base hits.
2020 American
League MVP
José Abreu
When the season began, Jose Abreu wasn’t a contender for AL MVP, but after finishing second in homeruns (19), fourth in batting average (.317), and first in RBI (60) he ended the regular season looking a very worthy winner.
MLB: Most popular markets
The World Series is the end goal for every MLB team and its fanbase each year, making it a popular bet among fans. Heading into a new season, MLB predictions and sites offering MLB free picks will often focus on the top contenders from the previous season.
Among the teams with the best MLB playoff odds are the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. Both are expected to contend for the World Series like they often do.
With how well they did last season and the improvements made to their pitching rotation, the San Diego Padres also have good odds at many MLB sportsbooks.
Other teams expected to be contenders this year include the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, New York Mets, and Minnesota Twins.
As usual, the New York Yankees are favored to win the AL in 2021 even though the last time they did was back in 2009. Since then, the Yankees have only played in four AL Championship Series, and haven’t won a single one of those.
The Chicago White Sox are expected to compete for the AL pennant this year along with the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, and Houston Astros.
After a small period of dominance, it’s been a couple of years since an AL side has gone on to win the World Series.
The NL has been dominated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in recent years. LA has played in four of the last five NL Championship Series and won three of the last four. They have begun the last few years as the favorite and will do so again in 2021.
Atlanta will be one of the teams expected to compete with the Dodgers with a young, talented team coming back. The San Diego Padres improved dramatically last season and have gotten better during the offseason. The New York Mets have the potential to contend if they can stay healthy.
There is no shortage of viable dark horse candidates in the NL with the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, and Philadelphia Phillies all having potential.
Betting on who will win the AL or NL MVP is a lot of fun since it means focusing on the best performers in each respective league.
The early season options will often be the previous year’s winner and top contenders. As the season progresses, it is not uncommon for contenders to emerge, while others fall out of contention. It all depends on how well they play.
It is worth noting, that unlike other pro sports leagues, AL and NL MVPs are less likely to come from winning teams.
Once the World Series match-up is set, MLB sportsbooks will often offer odds on who will win the World Series MVP too.
Baseball bets explained
Moneyline
The moneyline is a bet on picking a team to win straight up (with no point spread). Baseball betting sites will display it as a three-digit number which both teams will have. The favorite will have a negative number, while the underdog’s will be positive.
Live betting on the MLB
Most MLB sportsbooks offer in-play or live betting with great MLB odds.
Live betting offers you the chance to bet on the action as the game is in progress. Just because the game has started, that doesn’t mean you cannot still bet.
Sportsbooks are constantly adjusting their odds depending on how the game is playing out. Live betting is a popular way to bet on the MLB because it allows you to see how momentum is swinging in a game before locking in a wager.
One common in-game betting option is the correct score after a particular inning:
| 3rd Inning Correct Score | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Astros, 1-0 | +600 | Tie, 0-0 | -200 | Oakland Athletics, 1-0 | +550 |
| Houston Astros, 2-0 | +1500 | Tie, 1-1 | +4000 | Oakland Athletics, 2-0 | +1600 |
| Houston Astros, 2-1 | +4900 | Tie, 2-2 | +12000 | Oakland Athletics, 2-1 | +5200 |
Based on the above, a $100 live bet on the game to be scoreless after the third inning will win you $50 (plus your $100 stake). Use our bet calculator to see how much a different bet total will win you.
MLB betting tips
The best MLB betting sites will always offer a wide selection of betting options along with up-to-date MLB betting lines and MLB odds.
You should also look for what the sportsbook will offer you to open an account with them. Many will offer sign-up bonuses where they match your first deposit to a given amount. Most will also offer a variety of rewards and promotions as well. It is also a good idea to see what options they offer for making deposits and withdrawals.
Keep an eye out for referral bonuses also – these are great if you have a lot of friends interested in betting on baseball.
MLB betting promotions
Want to learn more about MLB betting?
MLB point spread explained
Check out our easy guide to understanding how the spread works, and how you can bet on it.
Learn about MLB point spreads
MLB over/under explained
AKA totals betting; find out why it's important for any online baseball bettor?
Learn about MLB over/unders
MLB parlays explained
Bigger odds equal bigger returns. Learn how to make the most of parlays for your next baseball bet.
Learn about MLB parlays
MLB betting FAQs
What are the best MLB betting sites?
The best MLB betting sites have a wide variety of bets, the most up-to-date MLB lines, are secure, legal, easy to deposit with and withdraw from, and offer great bonuses and promotions. All our partners listed on this page do that and much more.
Is MLB betting legal?
Yes. As long as you are based in a territory where a particular sportsbook holds a license, and betting is legal in your country, you are free to enjoy online MLB betting. It is always worth checking whether or not there are any local restrictions.
Where can I bet on the baseball?
Fans interested in betting on baseball can do so at MLB betting sites legally allowed to operate in their country and or US state. Check out our best sportbooks above for help selecting the right sportsbook for you.
Which betting site has the fastest payout?
The actual speed of a transaction varies among the different MLB betting sites depending on the circumstances involved. But you can rest assured that the sites we have recommended offer timely payouts.
What is the most reliable sports betting site?
What one person may consider reliable may be different from another; it can depend on what you are looking for and want in a site. You can count on the MLB betting sites we recommend being reliable ones, otherwise, we simply wouldn’t recommend them.