Best MLB Betting Sites & Apps 2025

Top 5 Best MLB Sportsbooks: Summary

1. Caesars - Best for the quality of its overall MLB betting product, especially its sharp odds.
   
   
2. FanDuel - Best for live MLB betting, including in-play odds boosts.
   
   
3. BetMGM - Best for having top-tier MLB points spreads and over/unders pricing.
   
   
4. DraftKings - Best for having an extensive menu of MLB prop markets and alternate lines.
    
5. Fanatics - Best for MLB betting ease of use and exciting rewards. 

Best MLB Betting Sites Reviewed

Whether you’re a gut gambler who makes a few casual picks on a favorite team, or a wannabe sharp analyzing the stats and betting lines to make informed wagers, fans are blessed with some of the top sportsbooks in the world for betting on MLB.

How We Rate & Review MLB Sportsbooks

We have reviewed a range of MLB sportsbooks by thoroughly testing them and assessing against the most important criteria for playing with them. You can read a full breakdown of our review and rating methodology to find out more.

Those key factors are then weighted based on industry expertise but also on bettors' feedback as to what is crucial for ease and enjoyment of use, promos, great odds, bundles of available markets, fairness, and app quality. Customer service and efficient payment and withdrawal options are also important considerations.

Because watching, following, and betting on baseball is different in many ways to football, basketball, hockey, or indeed any other sport, you can be sure the rundown here is based on using sportsbooks to bet specifically on MLB.

All of the best sportsbooks in NY and throughout the US offer dozens of MLB betting markets. However, the approach of each book in setting odds, how they cover games, their usability and interface, and their MLB promos and odds boosts differs. So as well as identifying the best overall, we’ve also highlighted the best MLB sportsbooks in each category to help you pick the one that’s right for you.

1. Caesars

Why Caesars is the Best MLB Sportsbook

Caesars offers a rich experience for MLB betting. It is an app that’s easy to view, navigate, and place bets with. Betting options are plentiful, and there’s just the right amount of depth to enhance your baseball picks. Everything on the Caesars app is neatly ordered and doesn’t overload.

Stylish graphics show you the plays when a game is underway, along with a simple-to-interpret stats center that you can toggle to, which is found next to the main odds on offer. A further tap will show you what props are available. You can parlay player props or set your own points spread with a slider at Caesars.

MLB odds are competitive (and often better) at Caesars than elsewhere, and if you shop the lines you’ll see plenty that outstrip the competition. Odds and profit boosts are a regular feature, though they tend to focus on packaged parlays for four games or four SGP picks ahead of big game nights.

As a sportsbook for betting on MLB, there's nothing that Caesars doesn’t do well, and several key areas in which it excels, making it our top recommendation as the best MLB betting app right now.

2. FanDuel

MLB Betting at FanDuel

With one of the most intuitive betting apps around, FanDuel is another great choice for MLB. You’ll find MLB bet types easily at FanDuel, plus ones that you might not come across elsewhere. Official team logos even give the FanDuel app a visual edge. MLB odds are good, and profit boosts on live baseball bets are often available.

FanDuel does both the long and the short baseball betting game brilliantly. With strong futures markets and odds that are among the earliest releases of all sportsbooks, their app is a go-to when wagering on who will win the MLB season outright, and which teams will make the playoffs.

FanDuel’s super betting platforms suit all kinds of fans and bettors, whether you’re a weekly wagerer or a season-long staker. For avid MLB fans who know their teams and players well, FanDuel makes a play to be your main betting app. No one else has specific menus for player props for all the biggest star players in MLB either.

3. BetMGM

MLB Betting at BetMGM

BetMGM is another top sportsbook for MLB wagers with its list of baseball betting options and an array of markets. It doesn’t quite have the depth of, say, DraftKings and FanDuel for MLB, but for many people, that will simply make it less confusing to use and get a bet on.

With a plush, high-end app, easy-to-view odds, excellent live MLB betting menus, and superb graphics and stats, building bets is made easy at BetMGM. It is also one of the longest-standing official partners of MLB, making for a solid betting entertainment option to run alongside your baseball viewing.

MLB prop bets are plentiful at BetMGM, and its home run markets are extensive. Same Game Parlays are easy to build. Data analytics and odds updates are fed from Angstrom, a leading forecasting and trading organization, to enhance BetMGM’s MLB markets and game/player insight stats. You can also watch the ‘MLB.TV Free Game of the Day’ directly in the BetMGM app, and place a range of bets while you watch.

4. DraftKings

MLB Betting at DraftKings

DraftKings is just massive for MLB betting, and in particular the range of wager options it has available. If you’re working toward baseball “sabermetrician” status (aka a “baseball stats nerd”), then DraftKings will supply you with everything you need. It’s also suitably accessible for MLB betting starters and intermediates with its super usable app.

DraftKings’ StatsHub is easy to access from each game line and will give you a whole heap about each team’s recent performances and how their players have been shaping up. From that huge database of numbers, DraftKings has developed extensive MLB betting menus that cover every outcome in a game that could possibly be called.

DraftKings also supplies game previews and betting information for the official MLB website to give you a few baseball betting tips each week. All those stats also feed into DraftKings’ live betting for MLB games, making for accurate and updated markets whenever matches are underway.

5. Fanatics

MLB Betting at Fanatics

As the official uniform supplier to MLB, you’d expect Fanatics to really get behind baseball betting to boost its offering. And the global sports giant doesn’t disappoint. Fanatics is one of the most accessible betting apps for MLB wagering and it all looks fantastic too. To use a Fanatics buzzword, if you’re an MLB fan, then this a real “fancentric” sportsbook app.

As one of the newer and faster betting apps, Fanatics is ideally suited for those who wish to place bets on imminent game events. Fanatics’ props bet offering is also strong enough to support MLB wagers big and small. The minimum stake is 10 cents at Fanatics so you can have some fun with prop bets here.

The standout feature for many MLB bettors will be FanCash, Fanatics’ excellent rewards program. FanCash is earned by making bets and can be exchanged for merchandise, collectibles, and more at its vast MLB store or to convert to bonus bets.

6. ESPN BET

MLB Betting at ESPN BET

For MLB fans, ESPN BET stands out due to its integration with the broadcast giant’s in-depth baseball coverage. Users benefit from live game-day insights, exclusive promotions for major matchups, and expert analysis from ESPN’s renowned baseball commentators.

This combination of real-time updates, enhanced odds, and detailed player stats offers a complete betting experience. 

ESPN Bet isn’t quite the finest sportsbook app yet, but if you simply want to stay informed and you consume ESPN content already, the betting extension makes wagering on MLB an all-encompassing enjoyable one.

7. Resorts World Bet

MLB Betting at Resorts World Bet

Resorts World Bet is something of a stripped-down betting experience, so if you don’t need graphics, extensive stats, masses of props, and all the rest, you’ll really get something out of using it for MLB betting.

MLB odds at Resorts World Bet tend to be on par with the bigger sportsbooks. However, there is always the opportunity to find value if you’re comparing pricing for a particular market as it doesn’t have the trading resources of the top players, and its odds aren’t as sharp at updating. That means if something in the market changes to affect the odds in your favor, Resorts World might be lagging on your identified price.

Resorts World Bet’s parlay and teaser options are particularly customizable too, so you’re not limited to the usual combo bet options that you might find at some sportsbooks.

8. BetRivers

MLB Betting at BetRivers

BetRivers isn’t necessarily a star performer for MLB betting, but it has everything most baseball bettors will want. The BetRivers app is easy to use and navigate, though it isn’t the finest looking and can be glitchy. 

Where BetRivers is a good choice, however, is for assessing MLB odds. If you check BetRivers regularly, you will often find value. A good example of that is if you can’t find an odds boost for a market you’re keen on elsewhere, then you may find slightly better pricing at BetRivers.

You might also like that on MLB game days, BetRivers will also offer you a smattering of ‘quirky’ or ‘fun’ wagers, whether they’re long shot parlays with massive odds or a prop bet you hadn’t thought about and wouldn’t easily find elsewhere.

9. BallyBet

MLB Betting at BallyBet

Its betting arm is still one of the smaller portions of the Bally’s entertainment conglomerate, but it’s well worth a second look when considering making certain types of bets on MLB. Take MLB points spreads as an example. At Bally Bet, they can be ahead of the other top sportsbooks in terms of pricing.

BallyBet has a nice enough-looking app that’s free from clutter. Decent live MLB betting and passable in-game graphics add to the experience if you’re following a matchup and want to see what in-play odds are on offer. Pregame MLB markets at BallyBet are also reasonably good, such as its prepackaged promoted parlays.

What We Look For at the Best MLB Sportsbooks

There are a range of factors to consider when picking the best betting site for MLB. When choosing as to where to place your baseball bets, consider the following:

📈 MLB Betting Odds

Odds vary between sportsbooks. Making your MLB bet with the sportsbook that offers the best odds is important as it maximizes possible returns. That’s especially true if you place baseball wagers regularly, as getting better offs is one of the easiest ways to work towards medium and long-term profitability. 

There are lots of MLB betting strategies, but most require research and wager tracking and that takes time. Not all baseball bettors want to invest their resources into this.

Most sportsbooks will roughly be on par for their MLB odds, but there will be differences if you’re signed up to a few and compare each. Sometimes, sportsbooks simply get their odds wrong, and you can jump on the opportunity when you spot an occurrence. Even small differences make an impact on your bankroll.

Take a recently seen example where the Colorado Rockies were -144 on the run line at one top sportsbook and -148 at another. That’s a difference of $4 to make $100. Doesn’t sound like much? It soon is, if you bet several MLB games each week. And who wants to casually hand a sportsbook a few dollars they don’t need to with every wager?

💵 MLB Bonuses, Promos & Rewards

MLB betting promos offer a simple-to-claim way to boost your bankroll and potentially find value and that all-important edge. The best sportsbook bonuses include initial welcome promos along with other types of offers for players, and with so many MLB games, there’s almost always an opportunity to bag a bonus during the season.

• Welcome Bonus: This is your ‘one hit chance’ to take what will likely be the biggest bonus you’ll get from a particular sportsbook. When you sign up, almost every betting site will reward you. Sportsbook welcome promos take various forms, including bonus bets, wager insurance, and multiple odds boosts.
  
  
• MLB Customer Promos: The top sportsbooks for MLB betting have regular promos that run throughout the season and for the playoffs plus the World Series. The most common forms are odds and profit boosts, parlay insurance, and second-chance bets. Compare sportsbook promos for any chosen games to make more from your wager.
  
  
• Referral Bonus: Perhaps an underused bonus, sportsbook refer-a-friend promos can be used to boost your betting dollar potential. All largely work the same - you invite an acquaintance to sign up via a referral link. When that person opens an account, deposits funds and wagers a determined amount, you’ll both get bonus funds.
  
  
• Loyalty Rewards: Much like any other loyalty scheme, sportsbook rewards programs hand you bonuses for repeat spending (betting). Betting loyalty programs tend to take similar forms - earning points to exchange for rewards. Some will allow you to exchange points for bonus bets and credit, while others present you with non-betting rewards such as merchandise, entertainment and hospitality discounts.
  
  

⚾ MLB Betting Options & Markets

Market coverage refers to the volume of events and associated bet types available at a sportsbook. It’s important and offers potential advantages to bettors. As well as lifting enjoyment levels, a greater number of events and betting options bring higher chances of identifying value when considering the range of markets posted by a sportsbook.

Sports betting operators also compete with each other on the odds they post. Trading teams compare their pricing with competitors. If several sportsbooks are offering a certain popular bet, then competition becomes a factor. As they all want your dollars, this drive for better odds than the rest can provide advantages to bettors.

For MLB betting specifically, the league is a stats-driven beast, so you can take advantage of key metrics, trends, and outliers to identify chances to win. If a sportsbook offers a bet type to match your research, then you can get on it. If a betting app doesn’t, then it’s an opportunity lost.

MLB bet options can be complex as games often have huge possible variance. You can specialize in a certain bet type and build an MLB betting strategy around it as your knowledge grows. You can only do that though, if your chosen sportsbook offers that wager option. Track your wagers and learn what returns are possible rather than taking a scattergun approach.

📱 MLB App User Interface

The quality of a mobile betting app interface is a deal-breaker for many. Much comes down to personal preference and enjoyment of use, but as a minimum a good sports betting app will be visually appealing and have fast load times, well-structured menus, smooth navigation, and responsive controls. The absence of any of them often results in frustration, while a compelling app design will enhance your experience.

Ultimately the best designed MLB betting apps are a pleasure to use, while those that aren’t so great can be a pain, making you less likely to want to use them.

🔒 Security When Using MLB Sportsbooks

When an organisation holds your personal data and financial details, security is especially important. Though rare, from time to time, sports betting operators are subject to cyber attacks, and individual users suffer online fraud when using a sportsbook.

All of our picks for the best MLB sportsbooks are licensed by the relevant gambling commissions in the states in which they operate. That means federal and state regulations relating to security and privacy apply to them. For example, all licensed sportsbooks are required to utilize the latest encryption techniques and to comply with Payment Card Industry Compliance Standards.

That gives you a high level of assurance that your details are secure. A top sportsbook should also have a range of security tools that apply to your account. This includes setting security questions and being able to enable Multi-Factor Authentication.

You’re unlikely to get any such protection if you use an unregulated sportsbook. Often called ‘offshore’ sites, such providers aren’t subject to any US laws and regulations. If something goes wrong, you have no recourse to remedy. Choose a legal sportsbook for peace of mind when betting on MLB.

💳 Banking, Deposits & Payouts

A frictionless banking experience is one of the most important factors noted by bettors for a positive experience with a sportsbook. 

A range of secure payment methods should be available, particularly the one(s) you’ll be using most. Also, sportsbook withdrawal times vary from several days to a few hours to near-instant. If getting your hands on winnings quickly is important to you, then choose one of the betting providers that facilitate initiatives like Faster Payments.

❓ Customer Service & Support

A responsive customer support service should be made available by a sportsbook to enable quick access to support and speedy resolutions that address a query or a problem first time. 

Look for sportsbooks that have a range of customer service options. That includes a well-ordered help section, easy-to-access FAQs and a range of ways to make contact directly. This should comprise by phone, email, instant messaging and live chat. Support should be available 24/7.

Best MLB Betting Sites: Category Winners 

As mentioned, we assess sportsbooks by certain key criteria. Here’s a rundown of the best betting providers in those areas, specifically for MLB betting.

Best MLB Odds: 🏆 Caesars

This is a tough one to call. FanDuel and DraftKings will often have slightly better odds than many for individual MLB games, but overall, taking a broad view, Caesars ranks top on average.

Best Welcome Bonus: 🏆 BetMGM

Always check, as sportsbooks change their new customer promos regularly. Right now, in value terms, BetMGM has the best welcome bonus. However, it’s not always available in all states. A close runner up is Caesars, which also offers a generous welcome bonus, and tends to be available everywhere.

Best MLB Customer Promos: 🏆 BetMGM

For its breadth of ongoing customer promos, BetMGM takes some beating. BetMGM has a bigger range of bonus opportunities than most, from regular boosts, to bonus bets, to free-to-play games and other prize competitions.

Best Referral Bonus: 🏆 BetMGM

BetMGM has the biggest and best refer-a-friend scheme. No other sportsbook beats its referral value or the number of people you can invite to join.

Best Customer Rewards: 🏆 Fanatics (FanCash)

It all depends on what you value from a rewards scheme, but we think Fanatics’ FanCash scheme is the best for offering something for everyone. It gives you the option to use FanCash towards retail discounts plus the option to redeem for bonus bets and odds boosts.

Also worth a look is Caesars, which has a reward program that integrates across its sportsbook, casinos and hotels. This lets you earn credit towards hotel stays, shopping, live events, and dining, making it perfect for a night out or short break.

Best Range of MLB Betting Options & Markets: 🏆 FanDuel

This is a straight battle between two giants - FanDuel and DraftKings. No sportsbook can beat DraftKings for the mass of MLB prop markets it has. However, FanDuel just edges its big rival overall for MLB betting options with more unique features than any rival.

Best Sportsbook For MLB Futures: 🏆 Caesars

Analysis of our best MLB sportsbooks from Opening Day onwards suggests Caesars surpasses the rest for futures. Be aware that you might not always get the best odds for the outright favorite at Caesars, but it has some great odds for those teams just below - better than any other sportsbook, and sometimes by some distance.

Best Sportsbook For MLB Point Spreads & Run Lines: 🏆 DraftKings & Caesars

This one finishes as a draw, a tie, a push if you like, between two consistent performers. DraftKings is the best for betting the underdog on MLB point spreads, while Caesars will typically squeeze you out an extra few dollars for betting the favorite.

Best Sportsbook For MLB Parlays: 🏆 FanDuel

You'll love the options available at FanDuel for building parlays. Few sportsbooks make it as easy to combine multiple legs as FanDuel’s parlay builder tool takes the sweat out of compiling accumulator wagers.

Best Sportsbook For MLB Prop Bets: 🏆 DraftKings

DraftKings is exceptional for MLB prop bets. It has particularly gone big on player props, with all positions covered. DraftKings also has a great selection of combined player prop markets for every MLB matchup. If you do find the choice a bit overwhelming at DraftKings, consider Fanatics.

Best Sportsbook For Live MLB Betting: 🏆 FanDuel

FanDuel is the top pick for live MLB betting. Its in-play center for every game is as good as you’ll see, and odds refresh rapidly with little lag when there’s a score or change in game conditions.

Also worth a mention is BetMGM, which lets you watch MLB.TV’s Free Game of the Day live in app, with no extra subscription needed, and place bets directly as you watch.

Best MLB Sportsbook Interface & Usability: 🏆 BetMGM

BetMGM’s app is a shiny, sleek, swish, smart platform and is top for usability for MLB betting. On desktop, BetMGM users will notice little difference. However you choose to play, you’ll find a superb blend of MGM’s luxury casino branding and gameplay with intuitive sports betting functionality.

Best MLB Sportsbook for Safety & Security: 🏆 Tie

We pose the question here as all the sportsbooks featured in our best MLB apps have industry-leading safety and security features. We might pick FanDuel though, because of the phenomenal global resources that enable it to stay ahead. You won’t go far wrong with any of our top (and legal) MLB sportsbooks however.

Best MLB Sportsbook for Banking & Payments: 🏆 DraftKings

DraftKings has as many banking methods as any of its rivals, more in many cases. Where DraftKings is leading the way, though, is its withdrawal speeds with funds transferred within the same day in most cases and available faster in many instances.

Best MLB Sportsbook for Customer Support: 🏆 Caesars

As all of the top MLB sportsbooks featured here offer the range of customer support options you’d expect, we’ve based this category on the responsiveness of live chat as an option. 

This involved testing at various times and comparing wait times. Caesars came out on top here. It was quicker than any other sportsbook on almost every occasion. We were connected to an agent in seconds in most cases, and our query was addressed in a satisfyingly quick manner.

Getting Started With Your Preferred MLB Betting App

It’s quick and easy to start betting on MLB by opening an account with a sportsbook.

💡 Pro Tip: Be sure to enter a valid promo code if prompted to activate any applicable welcome bonus. Not all sportsbooks require this, but if they do, you’ll miss out by not doing so.

How to Bet on Baseball: Popular MLB Betting Options

Each day during the MLB season there’s a good selection of games to bet on andmany wager types. All of the top NY sportsbooks for baseball betting offer a large selection of lines.

MLB Moneyline Bets

In many ways, baseball is the ultimate moneyline betting sport. MLB fans new and old will understand the moneyline because of its simplicity - choosing which team will win - and because the odds tend to be of the ‘standard’ variety. 

You might also hear the moneyline referred to as a ‘straight up’ or an ‘outright’. Moneyline bets are always listed with their payouts indicated by a plus ‘+’ or minus ‘-’ figure which also indicates who the bookmaker thinks is the most likely winner. For example, if you see odds of the Yankees at -110 against the Mets at +110 it indicates the former are the favorites and the latter the underdogs.

💡 Pro Tip: When placing a moneyline bet, don’t just focus on the favorites. Underdogs can often offer great value, especially if there’s a key injury or bullpen disadvantage that isn't fully priced into the odds. Always check the starting pitcher matchup and team performance trends for a better insight into potential upsets.

MLB Point Spread Bets

The other dominant one-game bet type in baseball is the points spread bet. If you regularly wager on the NFL or any of the other top US sports, you’ll already be familiar with points spread lines and they function in a similar way for MLB bets. 

A form of points spread is the ‘run line’ in baseball betting. Run lines are almost always set at 1.5 with odds of =/-110.

💡 Pro Tip: When betting on the MLB run line, consider the team's ability to cover the spread based on their offensive power and pitching depth. High-scoring teams and strong starting pitchers are more likely to cover the -1.5 spread, while betting on underdogs to cover the spread can be profitable if they have a solid bullpen or are facing an inconsistent starter.

MLB Totals Betting

Often called ‘over/under’ betting, a totals market asks you to predict whether the combined number of runs will be above or below a figure set by the sportsbook. 

Who wins or loses is irrelevant as is the margin of victory. The most common totals number in an MLB game is 7, but you will typically see the range of lines set from 6 to 9.

💡 Pro Tip: When betting on MLB totals, focus on the starting pitchers and the weather conditions. A dominant pitcher can suppress scoring, making the under more appealing, while a hitter-friendly ballpark or hot, windy conditions may lead to higher-scoring games. Also, track how both teams perform offensively against pitchers with similar styles to gauge the likely total.

MLB Futures Betting

MLB futures bets are those wagers on something that will conclude some way off. Futures bets on MLB are usually made on series outcomes or player awards. 

Markets for this will be available every day of the season unless the sportsbook suspends betting on it because it becomes so obvious who is going to win. Futures odds change as the season progresses. Often the highest odds will be found as far in advance as possible.

💡 Pro Tip: When placing MLB futures bets, try to lock in odds early in the season before a team's form becomes too obvious. Look for teams with strong potential that may be flying under the radar, or players who are having breakout seasons but haven’t yet received widespread attention.

MLB Prop Bets

Prop bets are fast, fun and a way to squeeze some additional action out of a match. MLB prop bets fall into three main categories - game, player and team. Baseball prop bets are among the most extensive of any sport, with markets on almost every statistic available at the best sportsbooks. 

Game prop bets might be a wager on whether there will be an extra inning played tonight or will there be a run scored in the first innings? Team prop bets relate to the performance metrics of either team such as will the pitching staff of the Mets record more strikeouts than their opponents? Player prop bets could be whether Aaron Youngs will hit a home run tonight.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your props aligned with clear, recent patterns to improve your chances. For player props, dive into recent performance data, such as a batter's success rate against a particular pitcher or a pitcher's strikeout count against similar lineups. For team or game props, consider factors like bullpen fatigue, team scoring trends, and whether a team tends to perform better in certain ballpark conditions.
 

MLB Parlay Betting

A parlay bet bundles a few picks together. The odds will rise in an MLB parlay the more selections you make but so does the risk of the bet crashing out. That’s because usually all of the ‘legs’ in a parlay have to hit for the bet to win. 

MLB parlays can be built with picks from two games or more or with individual wagers on the same number of listings from an individual fixture (known as a ‘same game parlay’. For example, if you’ve frisked the fixtures for a big MLB weekend and are sure a handful of favorites will win, betting them individually would likely return a meager payout. 

Combining those likely victors into a parlay would come with higher odds and a potential bonanza if you go big.

💡 Pro Tip: When betting on MLB parlays, focus on combining a few strong, high-confidence picks rather than trying to parlay too many outcomes. Consider pairing favorites with a higher probability of winning, but avoid stacking too many risky bets. Keep the number of legs low to balance potential payout with manageable risk.

MLB Live Betting

MLB live betting, also known as in-play MLB betting, allows you to place wagers on a game while it’s happening. The dynamic betting style of live betting provides the opportunity to react to the action in real-time, making it distinct from traditional pregame wagers. 

Just like with pregame bets, you can wager on moneylines, totals, run lines, and props, but with the added benefit of adjusting your bets as the game progresses. Live betting odds can fluctuate rapidly, often shifting by the minute or even second, depending on key events such as a home run, a pitching change, or a defensive error.

In MLB, live betting can be especially exciting because of the game's slow, strategic nature. A team that’s down early can quickly mount a comeback, or a pitcher might start strong and lose control, creating shifting odds. 

💡 Pro Tip: Spot value in odds that shift rapidly based on real-time events so you can take advantage of in-game trends like pitcher fatigue or offensive surges. Be quick to place bets during key moments, before the odds catch up and become less attractive.

What Can You Bet On in MLB?

It would be quicker to list what you can’t bet on in MLB, such is the scope of markets that are made available. Let’s take a look at the most popular MLB bet types.

World Series Winners

Betting on who will be the World Series Winners is a staple for many American sports fans. You can place a futures bet on the eventual champions or wait until the October showdown to get right into the heart of the action on the biggest series of baseball games each year.

Making the Playoffs

The race to make the playoffs can go right down to the wire in every MLB season. Some teams cement their place early, but with wildcard places up for grabs, just who will gain the final spots ensures the playoff qualifier bet remains exciting. 

When considering bets on who will make the playoffs, consider which outfits have demonstrated a strong overall campaign, minimizing inconsistencies while displaying a better-equipped lineup for the long haul stretching over the final weeks.

League & Division Winners

The 30 teams that make up MLB are split evenly into two leagues - the National League (NL) and the American League (AL). The NL and the AL are then further divided into three divisions - East, Central and West - each comprising five teams. 

Betting on who will win each of the divisions adds an extra layer of intrigue every season. If you’re browsing the odds for MLB division winners early in the season, consider divisional underdogs who will be available at long odds and often perform well over the long haul.

MLB MVP & Other Awards

The NFL is the American sport with the most player award trophies, but MLB has its fair share. The biggest MLB player award is the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honor for each MLB league. Not all states allow betting on MVP awards, notably New York and Virginia, but 26 other states do permit such wagers. 

There are usually one or two standout favorites for every MVP award with odds usually on them shortening as the season progresses.

The other notable player award that applies to MLB is the Cy Young award. That’s handed to the best pitcher in each league following a vote by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. If your state allows such betting, you’ll find markets for the Cy Young awards, and the top MLB sportsbooks will offer odds for plenty more awards, from best rookie, to best manager and more.

Betting on the MLB Draft

The MLB draft is the annual selection process where teams choose amateur players to add to their roster. Some states, such as New York, don’t allow MLB Draft betting. But if you’re in a jurisdiction that allows it, the most popular MLB Draft bet is which player will be pick #1. 

The biggest MLB sportsbooks will have several more markets too, including predicting at what number a certain player will be selected.

World Series Betting

The big prize for all teams in MLB each season is winning the World Series. Also known as the Fall Classic, the World Series is played in October each year - hence its name. 

Huge volumes of bets are placed on this best-of-seven contest between the winners of the American and National League. The bulk of wagers may be placed on the ultimate World Series champions but there are a host of other betting opportunities available including game winners and the margin of many fixtures they will emerge as the ultimate victors. 

You don’t need to wait for October to make your World Series betting calls as markets emerge throughout the year, and you might be able to take advantage of better value odds by getting in early - although of course the level of risk will be a bit higher.

How to Read MLB Betting Lines & Odds

All sports betting odds are determined by a huge variety of factors and baseball is no different. This includes the latest statistics, historical numbers, individual team and player form, and professional analysis including that by the oddsmakers at individual sportsbooks.

Reading MLB betting odds and lines is a key determinant in identifying potential winning wagers and in gaining value for healthy payouts. Baseball betting is a volume activity so small changes in odds can yield significant differences in the profits that can be achieved. That means comparing prices between sportsbooks on your chosen MLB bet can yield healthier returns.

Shopping the lines in baseball is a little more complicated than for other sports. That’s because understanding the odds in MLB can more directly influence the type of bet you place. Baseball is a low-scoring sport - more so than football and basketball. 

Moving an MLB betting line by half a point is therefore much more significant than for the NFL or NBA. There is no clock in baseball so no wager is technically lost until the final out.

That said, the basics of reading baseball betting lines aren’t that complicated. In a nutshell, the moneyline is usually presented as a number higher than 100 that can be either positive or negative. 

A number that is -101 or less is given to the favorite team while the more negative the number is, the more the side is perceived as likely to win. If the NY Mets are rated as a -120 favorite, then the oddsmakers think them more probable winners than say the Yankees at -110 on the same weekend. 

The reverse is true when betting on the underdogs. The higher the positive number, the less favored a team is thought to win. The same principles apply to MLB run line bets as well other types such as totals.

💡 Pro Tip: When reading MLB betting lines, always compare odds across multiple sportsbooks to maximize value, especially with moneyline and run line bets where small changes can have a big impact on payouts. Pay close attention to line movements, as baseball’s low-scoring nature means even half-point shifts can be significant.

When Are MLB Odds Released?

MLB betting odds for individual games are usually released late in the day before or on the morning of the fixtures being played. Odds in baseball are generally tight because the oddsmakers and the betting public know who the starting pitchers will be days in advance of game days. 

However, bettors need to be alert to MLB betting lines as the window for placing wagers may only be a maximum of 24 hours and as little as 12 hours. That differs markedly from, say, for NFL betting markets that generally open seven days in advance of fixtures being played.

Why Do MLB Odds Change?

MLB betting odds change for many reasons, as they do in almost every sport. Why the lines move is influenced by game factors but also by how sportsbooks and their oddsmakers operate. 

Tracking MLB odds movement enables the savvy bettor to get a handle on how the bookmakers and their fellow gamblers feel about a game. Figuring out what the intel behind-the-line movement means can be the difference between a wager cashing or trashing.

Lineup changes, particularly starting pitcher scratches, are a key determinant as to why MLB odds alter ahead of a game. The weather forecast, professional insight, and statements by coaches can cause lines to move as do leaked strategic approaches and even what the travel conditions have been like in the buildup.

The other major reason for MLB odds changing is when one team or side of a runline or total is receiving the majority of wagers. When this occurs, oddsmakers will alter the odds to encourage more bettors to choose the other side of the betting market. They do this to offset their potential liability for every market offered by the book.

MLB Teams to Bet On In New York

New York is a baseball-mad metropolis. The two biggest baseball teams in the Empire City are the Yankees and the Mets. Both play in MLB and have long histories, intense rivalries with other teams, and a fervent, uniquely characterized set of fans. The Subway Series is the name given to games between the Yankees and the Mets.

Betting Responsibly on MLB

Remaining in control of your betting is the single most important thing you can do if you place wagers on any sport, baseball included. There are so many MLB games each year that it can be easy to ‘overdo’ it. 

Stick to a limited number of games and bet types, and take a look at other ways that make restricting your betting simple to apply.

Regulated sportsbooks are mandated to adhere to a suite of responsible gambling regulations that they implement. You can use the tools they provide to stay within your limits and reduce your own risk of gambling harm.

These include self-limiting deposits, wager amounts, losses, and time spent betting. Some jurisdictions require sportsbooks to forbid credit card deposits but you can also reduce the risk of gambling debt by not adding such a payment method to your account. 

All the top MLB Sportsbooks also offer the option to self-exclude if they feel at risk of developing gambling problems and apply a cooling-off period for a certain length of time.

Best MLB Sportsbooks: Final Tips

Whether you’re a casual fan or an MLB betting enthusiast, there’s plenty to enjoy when you wager on baseball at the best sportsbooks in the business. Here are a few key tips to help you get the most from your MLB betting experience. It's also a good idea to keep up to date with the latest MLB news to help guide your betting decisions.

1. Pick your book and personalize it to your betting patterns

You’ll get much more enjoyment out of baseball betting if you choose to wager with one of the best sportsbooks for MLB. Whittle down your choices by considering what matters most to you in the key categories described above. 

Further, consider the MLB bet types you’ll mainly be making. If you love betting MLB parlays, enjoy in-game prop betting, or go ‘big picture’ with some futures each year, sign up to the app that best suits your preferences.

2. Dive into the data

The nature of baseball as a sport naturally lends itself to stats and performance metrics. You may have a favorite MLB team, but treat betting on them as a little fun on the side. Bet the numbers, not what your heart or gut tells you. 

There is a wealth of resources available to present you with MLB stats. Know that some metrics are more useful than others, but get to know a few well that correlate to your preferred bet types.

3. When you up your SGP odds don’t go mad and reduce your risk

Same game parlays are incredibly popular but high-risk. Many bettors make the mistake of loading up their bet slip with enticing legs and get too wowed by the potential payout. If you do SGP a game, you can reduce your exposure. 

For example, by considering parlaying a high moneyline underdog with some probable props. You can always cash out early if your props are playing well but the moneyline is looking stubborn. Alternatively, up the odds on a heavy favorite pick with some carefully selected props.

4. Think the long term up rather than short term hit

The sportsbooks know that a high portion of the betting public will always take the favorite. That’s especially true for the biggest teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, and Red Sox. Don’t follow the crowd blindly as the books will shade their lines for instances like this, and there’ll be precious little value. 

Don’t be afraid to take undervalued dogs in such situations. You only lose what you staked, but in the long term you can turn a profit with a few wisely selected underdog picks.

5. Track line movement and shop when it’s hot

MLB betting lines move all the time and increasingly so as gameday approaches and oddsmakers assess all information at their disposal. A significant influence on MLB betting lines are betting sharps. They’re the big stake, pro bettors. 

For example, if a line moves towards the underdog, sharps are possibly getting on that side. Chances are, they know more than you right? Bet the underdog when you see such a trend. Finally, simply shop the lines. You will almost always find better odds at one book compared to their rivals.