Dig deeper into the exciting world of baseball betting! Whether you're new to betting on baseball or new to betting in general, this guide will provide you with the fundamental information you need before placing your bets. Betting on baseball, no matter how much you love the game, provides an additional form of entertainment in the game, as you can engage with every pitch, swing, and run. Before diving into the world of baseball betting, it's important to understand a few key concepts that will enhance your betting experience and increase your chances of making informed decisions.

Payouts and profits may vary slightly depending on methodology and rounding when converting odds or calculating parlays. All payout and profit numbers here are shown for illustrative purposes only and may vary slightly from actual payouts and profits.

One of the fundamental aspects of betting on baseball is understanding the odds. Odds represent the chance of a certain outcome occurring in a game, which helps determine the potential payout you can receive. In baseball betting, the American odds format is commonly used. The odds are expressed as positive or negative numbers relative to a $100 wager.

Positive Odds: If a team has positive odds, such as +150, it means that a $100 bet on that team would result in a potential profit of $150. The higher the positive number, the greater the potential payout.

Negative Odds: If a team has negative odds, such as -200, it indicates the amount you need to bet to win $100. In this case, you would need to wager $200 on that team to potentially win $100.

For example:

• Boston Red Sox: -150
• New York Yankees: +120

If you bet $150 on the Red Sox (-150) and they win, you would potentially receive a payout of $100 in addition to your original wager. Conversely, if you bet $100 on the Yankees (+120) and they win, you would potentially receive a payout of $120 in addition to your original wager.

Now that you understand the basics of odds, let's explore some common types of bets in baseball betting.

What Is a Baseball Moneyline Bet?

The simplest and most popular type of bet in baseball is the moneyline bet. Here, you are betting on which team will win the game outright, regardless of the score. For example, betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers to beat the San Francisco Giants.

Example Game: Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants

Los Angeles Dodgers: -150
San Francisco Giants: +130

In this example, if you bet $150 on the Dodgers and they win, you would receive a payout of $250 ($100 profit + original stake). On the other hand, if you bet $100 on the Giants and they win, you would receive a payout of $230 ($130 profit + original stake).

What Is a Baseball Point Spread Bet?

The point spread, specifically known as the run line in baseball, is similar to the point spread in other sports. In this bet, a team is given a point spread of 1.5 runs (or 2.5, depending on how big of a favorite a team is), meaning they must win by two or more runs to cover the spread. Alternatively, the opposing team can lose by one run or win the game outright to cover the spread. The odds for the run line bet are typically adjusted to balance the action on both teams.

Example Game: Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Angels

Houston Astros -1.5: +120
Los Angeles Angels +1.5: -140

If you bet $100 on the Astros and they win by 2 or more runs, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $220 ($120 profit + original stake). Conversely, if you bet $140 or $100 on the Angels and they win the game outright or lose by only 1 run, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $240 ($100 profit + original) stake or $171.43 ($71.43 + original stake), respectively.

What Is a Baseball Over/Under Bet?

In an over/under bet, also known as a totals bet, you predict whether the total number of runs scored by both teams in a game will be over or under a specific number set by the sportsbook.

Example Game: Atlanta Braves vs Miami Marlins

Over 8.5: -135
Under 8.5: +105

If you bet $135 or $100 on the over and the final score is 6-5, for example, resulting in a total of 11 runs, your bet would win. You would receive $235 ($100 profit + original stake) or $174.07 ($74.07 + original stake) as a payout, respectively. On the other hand, if you bet $100 on the under and the total runs scored in the game is 8 or fewer, you would receive a payout of $205 ($105 profit + original stake).

What Is a Baseball Team Totals Bet?

With team totals, you are betting on the total number of runs scored by a specific team in a game. Similar to the matchup over/under bets, you predict whether the individual team will score over or under that number. It doesn't matter who wins the game, as this bet solely focuses on the offensive production of one team.

Example Game: San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres

San Francisco Giants Team Total Over 4.5: -110
San Francisco Giants Team Total Under 4.5: -110

If you bet $110 or $100 on the Giants team total over and they score 5 or more runs against the Padres, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $210 ($100 profit + original stake) or $190.91 ($90.91 profit + original stake), respectively. Similarly, if you place the same bets on the Giants total team under and they score 4 runs or fewer against the Padres, your bet wins, and you would receive either of those same payouts, as the odds were the same in this situation.

What Is a Baseball Prop Bet?

Prop bets focus on specific events within a baseball game. These can include individual player performances, such as the number of hits by a certain player or the total number of strikeouts in a game.

Example Game: Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds

Will Player X Hit a Home Run? Yes: +200
Will Player X Hit a Home Run? No: -250

If you bet $100 on the selected player to hit a home run and he does, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $300 ($200 profit + original stake). On the other hand, if you bet $250 or $100 on the selected player not to hit a home run and he doesn't, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $350 ($100 profit + original stake) or $140 ($40 profit + original stake), respectively.

What Is a Baseball Parlay?

A parlay bet combines multiple individual bets into one larger bet. To win a parlay, all the individual bets within it must be successful. This type of bet offers higher potential payouts as the odds multiply with each added selection.

Example Games: New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox vs Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Guardians

New York Yankees Moneyline: -120
Boston Red Sox Run Line -1.5: +150
Los Angeles Dodgers/Arizona Diamondbacks Total Runs Over 7.5: -110
Chicago Cubs Team Total Over 4.5: +130

The parlay odds are calculated by first converting the American odds into decimal odds, and multiplying them between each other:
(-120) x (+150) x (-110) x (+130) → (220/120) x (2.5) x (210/110) x (2.3) = 20.125

Now, we can multiply the resulting decimal odds by the bet amount ($100 for example), which will result in a $2,012.50 payout. With that said, if you bet $100 on this parlay and all four individual bets within it are successful, your parlay bet wins, and you would receive a combined payout of approximately $2,012.50.

What Is a Baseball Same Game Parlay?

Same Game Parlay is a popular type of bet that allows you to combine multiple outcomes within a single baseball game into a single wager. With a same game parlay, you can bet on various aspects of the same game, such as the result, player performances, and other statistical outcomes. It offers an exciting way to enhance your betting experience and potentially increase your winnings.

Example Game: Minnesota Twins vs Colorado Rockies

Twins Moneyline: -175
Total Runs Over 9.5: +110
Player X to Hit a Home Run: +450

The Same Game Parlay odds are calculated the same way as a regular parlay. First, convert the American odds into decimal odds and multiply them by each other:

(-175) x (+110) x (+450) → (275/175) x (2.1) x (5.5) = 18.15

Note that many American odds converted to decimal odds are repeating decimals, so we've listed the step before the final result in the conversion to ensure the final payout is accurate. Finally, we can simply multiply the resulting decimal odds by 100 to obtain the payout of a $100 bet: $1,815.00.

What Is a First Five Innings Bet?

This bet focuses only on the first five innings of the game. You can wager on which team will be leading after the first five innings or whether the game will be tied at that point. It allows you to minimize the impact of the bullpen on the outcome and concentrate on the starting pitchers' performance.

Example Game: Texas Rangers vs Baltimore Orioles

Texas Rangers: -120
Baltimore Orioles: +110

If you bet $120 or $100 on the Rangers to be leading after the first five innings, and they have a lead by the end of the fifth inning, your bet wins. You would receive a payout of $220 ($100 profit + original stake) or $183.33 ($83.33 profit + original stake), respectively. Alternatively, if you bet $100 on the Orioles and they have a lead or the game is tied after the first five innings, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $210 ($110 profit + original stake). Additionally, if you bet on either of these teams and they are tied at the end of the fifth inning, your bet pushes and your stake gets refunded.

What Is a Grand Salami in Baseball?

The Grand Salami bet involves wagering on the total number of runs scored in all baseball games played on a particular day. This is also an over/under bet, where you predict whether the total runs scored by all teams combined will be over or under that number. It adds excitement to multiple games happening simultaneously.

Over 85.5: -115
Under 85.5: -105

If you bet $115 or $100 on the over and the total runs scored in all games on a particular day is 86 or more, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $215 ($100 profit + original stake) or $186.96 ($86.96 + original stake), respectively. Conversely, if you bet $105 on the under and the total runs scored is 85 or fewer, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $205 ($100 profit + original stake).

What Is a Total Hits+Runs+Errors Bet?

This bet involves wagering on the total sum of hits, runs, and errors accumulated by both teams in a game. The sportsbook sets a line, and you predict whether the total will be over or under that number. It combines offensive and defensive performances to create a comprehensive betting option.

Example Game: Washington Nationals vs Tampa Bay Rays

Over 24.5: -140
Under 24.5: +120

If you bet $140 or $100 on the over and the total hits, runs, and errors in the game between the Nationals and Rays are 25 or more, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $240 ($100 profit + original stake) or $171.43 ($71.43 profit + original stake), respectively. On the other hand, if you bet $100 on the under and the total is 24 or fewer, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $220 ($120 profit + original stake).

What Is a Home Run Prop?

Home run props allow you to bet on specific outcomes related to home runs hit in a game. You can wager on the total number of home runs hit by both teams, whether a specific player will hit a home run or even the distance of the longest home run in the game. It adds excitement to the power-hitting aspect of baseball.

Example Game: Kansas City Royals vs Pittsburgh Pirates

Total Home Runs: Over 2.5: +150
Total Home Runs: Under 2.5: -180

If you bet $100 on the over between the Pirates and the Royals, and there are 3 or more home runs in the game, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $250 ($150 profit + original stake).

However, if you bet $180 or $100 on the under and there are 2 or fewer home runs hit, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $280 ($100 profit + original stake) or $155.56 ($55.56 profit + original stake), respectively.

What Is a Pitcher Strikeout Bet?

This bet focuses on the performance of starting pitchers and their ability to accumulate strikeouts. You can wager on the total number of strikeouts by a specific pitcher or both pitchers combined. It allows you to closely follow the pitching duel and bet on the success of specific players.

Example Game:

Player X Over 5.5: +130
Player X Under 5.5: -115

If you bet $100 on the over and the selected pitcher records 6 or more strikeouts, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $230 ($130 profit + original stake). Likewise, if you bet $115 or $100 on the under and that pitcher records 5 or fewer strikeouts, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $215 ($100 profit + original stake) or $186.96 ($86.96 profit + original stake), respectively.

What Is a Stolen Bases Bet?

Stolen base betting markets revolve around the number of stolen bases in a game or by a specific player. You can bet on whether a certain player will steal a base, the total number of stolen bases in the game, or even the first team to record a stolen base. It adds excitement to the speed aspect of the game.

Example Game: St. Louis Cardinals vs Detroit Tigers

Total Stolen Bases: Over 1.5: +115
Total Stolen Bases: Under 1.5: -150

If you bet $100 on the over and there are 2 or more stolen bases in the game between the Cardinals and the Tigers, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $215 ($115 profit + original stake). Conversely, if you bet $150 or $100 on the under and there are 1 or no stolen bases, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $250 ($100 profit + original stake) or $166.67 ($66.67 profit + original stake), respectively.

What Is an Inning-Specific Bet?

Inning-specific bets allow you to wager on the outcome or events within a specific inning of a game. You can bet on which team will score first in a particular inning, the total runs scored in an inning, or even whether there will be a run scored in a specific inning. It adds excitement to the micro-moments of the game.

Example Game: Philadelphia Phillies vs Milwaukee Brewers

1st Inning Winner
Philadelphia Phillies: +145
Milwaukee Brewers: -175

If you bet $100 on the Phillies to be the first-inning winner and they score more runs in the first inning than the Red Sox, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $245 ($145 profit + original stake). On the other hand, if you bet $175 or $100 on the Brewers and they score more runs in the first inning, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $240 ($100 profit + original stake) or $157.14 ($57.14 profit + original stake), respectively.

Seventh Inning Number of Runs
Over 0.5: -180
Under 0.5: +150

If you bet $180 or $100 on the over and there is at least 1 run scored in the seventh inning of the Phillies vs Brewers game, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $280 ($100 profit + original stake) or $155.56 ($55.56 profit + original stake), respectively. Alternatively, if you bet $100 on the under and there are no runs scored in the seventh inning, your bet wins, and you would receive a payout of $250 ($150 profit + original stake).

At DraftKings, we believe that life is more fun with skin in the game and we want it to stay that way. It’s important to remember that you should only bet what you can afford and always set reasonable limits for yourself. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re gambling:

• Set a realistic budget that you can afford to gamble. Never play beyond your means.
• Set a time limit on your gambling and stick to it.
• Don’t place large bets in the hopes of winning big.
• Don’t try to make money by chasing your losses.
• Gambling should not be viewed as a pathway to financial gains or shortcut to financial success.
• Avoid gambling if you are in recovery from any dependency or are under the influence of alcohol or any other substance.

We provide our players with tools to set budgets, limits, and cool-off periods, and always give you the option to self-exclude. For more information and resources, consider visiting DraftKings’ responsible gambling help guide. If, for any reason, you feel like you need help, we strongly encourage you to contact your local responsible gaming organizations. Remember, it’s more fun when it’s for fun.

To make informed betting decisions, research is essential. Stay updated on team news, starting pitchers, recent performance, weather conditions, and any other factors that may influence the outcome of a game. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of teams and players can give you an edge when placing your bets

Now that you have a basic understanding of baseball betting, you can begin to enjoy the thrill and excitement it brings to the game. Remember to understand the odds, choose your bets wisely, manage your bankroll responsibly, conduct research, and always bet within your means. Betting on baseball can enhance your viewing experience and add an extra level of enjoyment and passion, but it's important to approach it with caution and responsible gambling practices. Good luck and may your baseball bets bring you joy and amusement!