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⚾MLB Baseball Betting 101: Starter Guide to Bet Types

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.



This easy guide breaks down all MLB bet types

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)

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.

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