⚾MLB Baseball Betting 101: Starter Guide to Bet Types
- WinFact
- May 1
- 5 min read
Updated: May 24
Baseball betting might look complicated at first, but once you understand the basic types of bets, it gets much easier—and more fun. Whether you're betting casually or looking to build a long-term strategy, this guide will walk you through every essential MLB bet type with plain English explanations and Spanish translations.

We’ve also included simple real-world examples to help you apply what you learn. Check out what's included:
Full Game Bets
1st Inning Bets
Inning Props
First 5 Innings Bets
Pitching/Player Props
SGP
Player Props
Team Props
Game Props
⚾ Full Game Bets
Bet Type | Meaning |
---|---|
To Win (Moneyline) - ML | Bet on which team will win the game |
Spread (Run Line) | Bet on a team to win or lose by a specific number of runs |
Total Runs (Over/Under) | Bet on whether the total runs scored will be over or under a set number |
Race to Total Runs | Bet on which team will reach a certain number of runs first |
Winning Margin | Bet on how many runs a team will win by |
Odd vs Even Total Runs | Bet on whether the total runs will be an odd or even number |
Game To Go Into Extra Innings | Bet on whether the game will go into extra innings |
Rockies To Bat In 9th Inning | Bet on whether the Rockies will bat in the bottom of the 9th inning |
📌 Real Examples
1. Moneyline:Yankees ML = Yankees to win
✅If the Yankees beat the Red Sox, your bet wins.
Odds might be: Yankees -150, Red Sox +130
2. Run Line:Yankees -1.5 = They must win by 2 or more
✅ If Yankees win 5–3, you win.
❌ If they win 4–3, you lose.
3. Total (Over/Under):
Over 8.5 = You need 9+ total runs
✅ Final score: Yankees 6, Red Sox 3 → Total is 9 → You win
1st Inning Bets
Bet Type | Meaning |
1st Inning - Runs Scored (Each Team) | Bet on whether each team scores in the 1st inning |
1st Inning - Home Run (Each Team) | Bet on whether a home run will be hit by each team in the 1st inning |
1st Inning - Pitches Thrown (Each Team) | Bet on how many pitches each team throws in the 1st inning |
Inning 1 Total Runs | Total number of runs scored in the 1st inning |
Inning 1 Winner | Bet on which team wins the 1st inning |
🔹 1st Inning Bets Examples
1st Inning – Runs Scored (Each Team):
Yankees to score in the 1st Inning – Yes (+120)
✅ You win if Yankees score even 1 run in the 1st inning.
1st Inning – Home Run (Each Team):
Red Sox to hit a HR in 1st Inning – No (-180)
❌ If they don’t hit a home run in the 1st, the bet hits.
First 5 Innings Bets
Bet Type | Meaning |
1st 5 Innings Winner | Bet on the winner after the first 5 innings |
1st 5 Innings Spread | Run line applied only to the first 5 innings |
1st 5 Innings Total Runs | Over/under total runs in the first 5 innings |
1st 5 Innings Team Total Runs | Total runs by each team in the first 5 innings |
🔹 First 5 Innings Bets (F5) Exampls
1st 5 Innings Winner:
Dodgers F5 ML (-110)
✅ Dodgers must lead after 5 innings.
1st 5 Innings Spread:
Phillies -0.5 F5 (+100)
✅ Phillies must be ahead by 1+ run after 5 innings.
Variety
Category | Bet Type | Meaning |
Pitching/Player Props | 1st Pitch Outcome | Bet on the result of the very first pitch (e.g., strike, ball, hit) |
SGP | Same Game Parlay | Combine multiple bets from the same game into one ticket |
Inning Props | Highest Scoring Inning | Bet on which inning will have the most total runs scored |
🔹 Variety Examples
1st Pitch Outcome:
First pitch of game = Strike (+110)
✅ You win if first pitch is a strike (swing & miss, called, or foul).
🔹 Inning Props
Highest Scoring Inning:
Inning 6 to be the highest scoring (+450)
✅ You win if inning 6 has more total runs than any other inning.
🔹 SGP – Same Game Parlay Example
Mets ML + Pete Alonso HR + Over 8.5 Total Runs (+650)
✅ All 3 legs must hit. Higher risk, much higher payout.
Visual Representation - Same Game Parlay (SGP)

Player Props
Bet Type | Meaning |
Player to Hit a Home Run | Bet on a specific player to hit a home run |
Player Hits / Total Bases / RBIs / Runs | Bet on player stats like hits, RBIs, bases or runs |
Player Strikeouts (Pitcher Props) | Bet on how many strikeouts a pitcher will record |
Player Walks, Hits Allowed | Bet on walks or hits allowed by a pitcher |
Player To Record A Hit | Bet on a player to get at least one hit |
🔹 Player Props Examples
Player to Hit a Home Run:
Shohei Ohtani to hit a HR (+275)
✅ One home run = cashes.
Player Hits / Total Bases / RBIs / Runs:
Aaron Judge Over 1.5 Total Bases (-105)
✅ Single = 1, Double = 2, etc. You need at least 2 total.
Team Props
Bet Type | Meaning |
Total Hits / Errors / Runs | Bet on combined team stats like hits, errors or runs |
Team To Score First / Last | Bet on which team scores the first or last run |
Both Teams To Score X+ Runs | Bet on both teams scoring at least a set number of runs |
Score in the 1st Inning? (Yes/No) | Bet on whether there will be any score in the first inning |
🔹 Team Props Examples
Total Hits / Errors / Runs:
Yankees Over 8.5 Hits (-105)
✅ Need 9+ hits in the game.
Team To Score First / Last:
Guardians to score first (+115)
✅ If they’re the first on the board, you win.
Game Props
Bet Type | Meaning |
Total Strikeouts (combined teams) | Bet on total strikeouts by both teams combined |
Grand Salami | Total runs scored in all MLB games for the day |
Total Home Runs In Game | Bet on how many home runs will be hit in a game |
Will There Be Extra Innings | Bet on whether the game goes to extra innings |
Method of Victory | Bet on how the game will end (e.g., walk-off, extras) |
🔹 Game Props
Total Strikeouts (Combined Teams):
Over 14.5 Ks Total (-115)
✅ All pitchers from both teams must combine for 15+ strikeouts.
Grand Salami:
All MLB games total runs Over 98.5 (-110)
✅ You’re betting the combined total of all games that day.
Total Home Runs In Game:
Over 2.5 HRs (+100)
✅ You need 3 or more homers, from any player or team.
🧠 Pro Tip for Beginners
Start with moneylines and totals—they're easiest to understand and track. Once you get the hang of it, explore props and parlays. Stick to one or two types early on, then experiment as your confidence grows.

Final Thoughts
MLB betting opens up a whole new level of excitement for baseball fans—but only if you know the rules of the game. This guide gives you the essential foundation. Learn the types, try small bets, and build up from there.
If you want more tips, advanced strategies, or daily MLB picks—stick with us.