Any MLB lines you are looking for are right here, including today’s games and MLB Futures odds. If you’re wondering what odds are and trying to figure out what they mean, we’ve got you covered on that too. Whether you’re an expert just browsing through MLB odds or are new to betting and looking to learn, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.
What Are MLB Odds?
MLB odds are the perceived chance of something occurring in the MLB, but instead of using percentages to express them, numbers are used instead. Sportsbooks will vary with what odds they offer, but every MLB pick will have odds assigned to them everywhere you look. There may be a lot of different odds and numbers that seem overwhelming, but it’s quite simple.
How To Read MLB Odds
Looking at the options for any MLB game will usually mean seeing the spread, total, and moneyline first. Each of those options will have a number attached to it with either a plus or minus next to it. These are the odds, and they tell bettors two things: how much the bet will payout, and how likely it is to be a winner according to oddsmakers.
The spread and total frequently have -110 odds on them. This is the equivalent to a 50% chance according to oddsmakers in most instances. What the -110 means is that to win $100, you must bet $110, making the total payout $210. Negative numbered odds express how much someone would have to wager to make $100. As the number moves further from zero in the negatives, it’s considered more likely to be a winner, according to oddsmakers.
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For other bets, such as the moneyline, they will typically have one of the teams or options with +100 or higher odds attached to them. This tells bettors that the bet is viewed as an underdog, so the odds of it winning are less likely. The +100 means that putting down $100 would win you $100, paying out $200. The higher the odds go on a bet with a plus sign on them, the less likely it’s supposed to be a winner.
MLB Moneyline Odds
Moneyline bets are the simplest of the bunch, as it only requires picking the winner correctly. The team with the higher attached number is the underdog, while the team with the smaller number is considered the favorite for the game. Unlike other sports, MLB games don't end in ties, so MLB moneyline bets won’t result in a push.
MLB Over/Under Odds
The MLB over/under odds is independent of the winner of the game, unlike the moneyline or run line. Oddsmakers set a total for the number of runs the game should have, and bettors wager on whether the actual total will be over or under that number.
There will usually be two over/under boxes, both containing the set total and the odds. The difference will be that one is marked as over and the other as under. The over/unders for MLB games can be extremely different, even on the same day, and even games between the same teams a day apart. An MLB over/under can result in a push if a total is a whole number and the final score has exactly that many runs.
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MLB Run Line Odds
The run line is the MLB version of the spread and is almost always set at -1.5 toward the favorites. Unlike the moneyline, the margin of victory matters when betting on the run line for a game.
The team set at -1.5 on the run line must win by at least two runs to be the winning bet. If the underdog, set at +1.5, wins the game or loses by one run, they’re the winning wager on the run line. The odds change for MLB run lines instead of the lines changing to reflect the disparity between teams.
MLB Playoff Odds
As a type of MLB Futures bet, MLB playoff odds are bets on teams to make the MLB postseason. They don’t have to win their division nor win a series in the playoffs. All they have to do is qualify for the postseason. MLB recently expanded to six teams making the postseason in each league, so there’s an even better chance for your playoff pick to make it.
MLB Divisional Odds
As opposed to the MLB playoff odds, MLB divisional odds do require the team to win their respective division. Even if they don’t advance in the playoffs at all, if a team you bet on wins their division, your bet wins. These odds open before the season and remain open until a division race is officially over.
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MLB Championship Odds
Betting on the pennant winners or World Series champions takes half of the year to unfold, but can be very satisfying. Even the best teams entering a season will carry positive odds to win the pennant or World Series before the season begins. The team has to win, not just make it, but these are some of the most popular MLB Futures bets.
MLB Prop Bet Odds
Prop bets are centered around players or teams, rather than the game they’re playing in and its final result. They come in a wide variety of forms, with a wide range of odds depending on the bet. Betting on a batter to homer and who wins the first five innings are two of the popular props among MLB bettors. Even for the same prop bet, two sportsbooks can have drastically different odds, so it’s best to shop around to see what’s best.
