Baseball Betting Strategies

Baseball is an American sport that uses a bat and a ball. Each team fields nine players, sometimes ten. The average duration of a match is nine periods, called innings.

NO BETTING STRATEGY GUARANTEES 100% PROFIT!

Baseball Betting Strategies

Baseball terms and rules

To follow the course of the game and understand the commentators, it is important to learn the basic terms used in this exciting American sport.

  1. MLB – Major League Baseball – a professional baseball league in North America.
  2. Inning – a period in baseball. A game typically consists of nine innings, in which teams alternate between defense and offense. The attacking team’s turn ends once its players record three outs.
  3. Runner – a player from the attacking team who has hit the ball.
  4. Pitcher – the player whose task is to deliver accurate pitches.
  5. Catcher – the most experienced player on the team, whose job is to protect the base.
  6. Strike – a penalty point given for a missed or unhit pitch.

Types of baseball bets

Bookmakers offer a wide range of baseball betting markets on which players can wager.

The main types of baseball bets are:

  • Bets on the team to win;
  • Handicap or spread bets;
  • Total (number of fouls, runs, or errors);
  • Special and additional bets.

In baseball, draws are rare. If the ninth inning ends in a tie, teams play extra innings until one wins. Some bookmakers settle bets based on results after regular time.An exception applies to matches in South Korea and Japan, where different rules allow for a draw as a final result. Therefore, it is recommended to check who organizes the tournament and where the event is held.

Bets on the team to win

Choosing the winner is the most popular type of baseball bet. In MLB, there aren’t many teams with a clear and consistent advantage. Most teams play at roughly the same level, which allows bookmakers to offer quite attractive odds. Many bettors use this by placing not only single bets but also accumulators (parlays).

Handicap (spread) bets

A handicap represents the final difference between team results, and bets are usually placed on the positive spread. The average handicap line is 1.5, though occasionally bookmakers may offer 2.5

Total bets

The total in baseball refers to the number of runs scored in a match. Betting on totals is challenging because many factors influence the outcome. Totals depend on the lineup, weather conditions, luck, and player injuries during the game.

Additional bets

Additional bets include higher or lower total/handicap values, inning outcomes, first minutes of the game, etc.

Special bets

Special bets allow you to pick the best team or player before the season ends.

Features of baseball betting

To succeed in baseball betting, each match must be analyzed thoroughly. Before placing a wager, study the teams’ recent performances, injury lists, motivation, and standings.

Data analysis specifics

Not every baseball match can be accurately predicted, so you must choose suitable betting opportunities carefully. Weather conditions should always be considered.

It’s also important to evaluate the performance of substitute pitchers who often replace the starting pitcher after 4–6 innings.

When betting on baseball, remember that unpredictability is part of the sport. Most teams play at similar levels, making it difficult to determine the winner.

Stadium characteristics

MLB games take place in various stadiums. Since there is no unified standard, venues can vary in width and length, and may be open or enclosed. Teams tend to perform better in familiar environments.

Weather conditions

Wind can significantly affect gameplay — it might help by carrying the ball farther or hinder by altering its trajectory. When analyzing a match and deciding where to bet, it’s crucial to account for these factors.

It’s recommended to bet on the team that performs better in open-air stadiums.

The pitcher

Although baseball results depend heavily on team coordination, the pitcher often plays a key role.

Before betting on a baseball game, analyze the pitcher’s statistics.

The dynamics of the entire game often depend on his throwing skill. Always check his physical condition and ensure there are no injuries or issues that could impact performance.

Top betting strategies

There are no foolproof baseball betting strategies, but with proper analysis and smart use of systems, you can reduce losses.

Martingale betting on draws per inning

The most popular baseball strategy is using the Martingale system on inning draws. This works because statistically, over 50% of innings end in a tie, while bookmakers offer appealing odds of around 1.50–1.70, sometimes up to 1.90.

Recommended staking formula:

(first bet amount + total losses) / (odds – 1)

While the Martingale system isn’t reliable in other sports, in baseball it can work since it’s rare for teams to play six consecutive innings without a draw.

For example, in the 2020 match between Tampa Bay and Philadelphia, there were five consecutive non-draw innings — the sixth ended 0–0.

Another common strategy is the Martingale on Under 0.5, with average odds of 1.50–1.70.

Betting against favorites

Odds for underdogs are much higher, usually between 1.80 and 2.20.
The win rate is around 40–50%, and if a bet loses, you can use the Martingale on the next game to recover losses and gain profit over time.

Shchukin’s strategy

The essence of Shchukin’s strategy is to bet on opposite outcomes with odds above 2.0, allowing bettors to profit if results fall within a certain range. When the combined odds are below 2.0, use an arbitrage calculator to distribute amounts unevenly for guaranteed profit.

In the first case, bet on the underdog with odds of 2.0 or higher. In the second, bet on the favorite with a -1.5 handicap at odds of 1.67.

It’s recommended to place these wagers in different bookmakers, as many restrict multiple bets on the same event.

For example, betting 10 USDon the underdog at odds of 2.38 and another 1,000 on the favorite with a -1.5 handicap at 2.44 would yield a profit of 3.80-4.40 USD.

The risk of this strategy is that the favorite may win by just one run (handicap 0.5), resulting in losses on both bets. However, this happens rarely and can be recovered with subsequent Martingale plays.

Live total betting

In baseball, the total refers to the number of runs scored during a game.

Totals can be predicted using recent match statistics. It’s often profitable to bet on Under (0.5), as draws are frequent.

You can place a live bet on Under (0.5) in the first inning. If it loses, wait for the second inning and place a larger bet on Under (0.5) again to recover. Statistically, out of 75 innings, a tied score occurs in about 46.

Conclusion

Baseball is an exciting and dynamic sport that not only entertains but also offers betting opportunities.

However, remember that no strategy guarantees consistent profits. Their main purpose is to minimize losses. It’s best to predefine your bankroll and manage it responsibly.

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