⚾MLB Baseball Betting 101: Starter Guide to Bet Types

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.