Reading MLB odds
Now that you have all the MLB betting types down pat, let’s dive into some real-world examples of reading MLB odds. Though there are no MLB teams in Kentucky, let’s use the nearby Cincinnati Reds, who play their home games just across the Ohio River from Kentucky, in our examples below.
Run Line
Cincinnati Reds -1.5 (-110) vs. New York Yankees +1.5 (+115)
In this example, the Reds would have to beat the Yankees by at least two runs for the Reds’ Run Line bettors to win their bets. A score of Reds 5 Yankees 2, for example, would be a winner for those who bet the Reds run line.
Total
Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates - Over 6.5 (-110) Under 6.5 (-110)
In this example, oddsmakers are expecting approximately 6.5 runs to be scored in the Reds vs. Pirates. If seven or more runs are scored, “over” bettors would be winners, while anything less than seven would make “under” bettors winners. If the score for example was Red 4 Pirates 3, there would be seven total runs scored in the game, and thus “over” backers would be winners.
Money Line
Cincinnati Reds (-160) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (+140)
In this example, a plus or minus next to a team's odds, indicate whether they are the underdog, or favorite, respectively. In this example, the Reds are the favorite, so you would have to bet more to win less. For example, if you bet $160 on the Reds to win, you would receive $260 ($160 risked + $100 won) if they win the game. Conversely, a $100 bettor on the Rays would win $240 ($100 risked + $140 won) if the Rays win the game.
Expert advice when betting on the MLB
With more than 162 MLB games to bet on including the regular season and postseason, there is no shortage of ways to get involved with MLB betting. Looking back on years of experience betting on MLB games, let’s take a look at some expert advice when betting on the MLB that you should consider.
