Baseball is generally associated with the United States, however more and more fans from around the world are now hugely knowledgeable about the sport, including its teams, players and coaches. Baseball is now one of the biggest and richest sports in the world, with many bookmakers having introduced baseball markets in an attempt to get in on the action. The MLB is undoubtedly the most-watched baseball competition, having produced star names such as Yogi Berra and Alex Rodriguez over the years, while teams including the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have often dominated proceedings. So, no matter whether you are a baseball fanatic or something of a newcomer to the sport, for those looking for information on how to bet on baseball, be sure to take on board the tips detailed throughout this baseball betting guide, including the following:
- Carry out research on all markets.
- Look out for bookmaker promotions.
- Focus on major baseball competitions.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BETTING ON BASEBALL
How to bet on baseball? As with any form of betting, there are always a number of factors that must be considered before staking funds. This is no different when it comes to baseball, no matter how much of an expert you may think that you are. Check out the following factors before placing a bet on your favourite team or player, which should all be considered when coming up with your baseball betting strategy.
FOCUS ON TEAM’S STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
Those already following baseball on a weekly basis will perhaps already study detailed form guides and data, however it is important to carry out this task before placing any bets. Those making a habit of studying such data beforehand are likely to achieve a greater level of success, as well as beating the bookmakers on a more regular basis. Such things as whether a team’s batters are in good form or how many runs a team scores and concedes on average are likely to have an impact upon the results of baseball games, while home advantage and player availability are also areas to consider.
- Get an idea for the calendar of the baseball season; there will be more markets available at the start of the season and again as the playoffs and World Series get close.
- Remember that recent form is the most important consideration in judging the likely winner of an upcoming game; if an underdog has been performing well, trust them to keep it up.
- Get to know which bookmakers specialise in which areas – some bookies will offer a wider range of markets, while others might have better odds on non-American leagues.
SEARCH FOR VALUE
We have always believed that looking for value bets is one of the most important factors when wagering online, with this being relatively simple when it comes to baseball, especially during the regular season. More and more bookmakers are now offering baseball markets, with odds being affected by form, position in the standings and home advantage. However, when figuring out how to bet on MLB, remember that anyone can beat anyone on their day, with those in the know able to take advantage of some seriously attractive prices on a regular basis.
WATCH BASEBALL GAMES LIVE
A number of bookmakers and betting exchanges now offer the opportunity to watch baseball games through their live streaming services, offering customers the chance to gain a much better understanding of how they may eventually finish. As well as this, the majority of games are also readily available to watch on television, perfect for those who are new to the sport. With so much adding up to eventually determine the winner of a baseball game, taking in the action as it unfolds is hugely beneficial. This also helps significantly when it comes to in-play betting on baseball.
MAJOR BASEBALL COMPETITIONS
As previously mentioned, the majority of major baseball competitions come from the US, however there are also some up-and-coming events from other regions that are worth keeping track of. Let’s take a closer look at some of the baseball competitions that are available to bet on, perfect for those looking to learn more about how to bet on baseball.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (MLB)
Undoubtedly the world’s leading baseball competition comes in the form of Major League Baseball, which is made up of teams from both the US and Canada. The MLB is divided into two separate leagues, the National League and the American League. As well as this, teams are then separated further depending on their location, including those from East, West and Central. Over 2,000 games help to make up the regular season, taking place from April-November each year. As a result, there are a huge number of betting options in this area. MLB betting is undoubtedly the most popular for punters at present.
WORLD SERIES
The World Series is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, played in a best-of-seven format between both the American League and National League winners. The New York Yankees have 27 World Series wins to their name, with the last coming back in 2009.
NIPPON PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL (NPB)
Away from the US, the NPB is perhaps the most competitive league, with Japan’s professional division having been founded back in 1993. The likes of the Hanshin Tigers, Hiroshima Toyo Carp and Yomiuri Giants are among the leading teams here, with an increasing amount of money having been invested into such franchises.
POPULAR BASEBALL BETTING MARKETS
There are a number of different ways in which to bet on baseball, however the following are undoubtedly the standout options at present.
GAME RESULT
As with many sports, the most popular market when it comes to betting is simply picking the winner of an individual game. This works well with baseball betting strategies due to the fact that there is such competition, especially in the MLB. It is rare that a team will go on a long winning streak, with teams generally losing one in every three games.
RUN TOTALS
Similar to over/under markets found in football matches, baseball run totals are the total number of runs scored during a game by both teams. This can potentially include a game that goes into overtime, which occurs in the event that the teams are still tied after 9 innings. The standard run totals for a baseball game generally range between eight to ten.
FUTURE BETS
For those looking to play the long game, future, or season bets as they are sometimes known as, allow punters to wager upon markets such as who will finish top of the American League or ultimately be crowned World Series winners. Such markets come with higher prices, with many factors potentially upsetting a team’s chase for success.
