Winning in the Dugout: MLB Betting Guide

Major League Baseball is one of the biggest sporting leagues in the United States, and there’s no denying that this is one of the premier competitions all over the world. Night in and night out, different teams and players are featured with a chance to perform at the highest level, making a strong case for your baseball bets.

If you are looking for a way help you make the best MLB bets today, then you have come to the right place! GambleSpot offers a comprehensive guide that will heighten your experience in watching your favorite teams and players take on the big stage!

MLB betting today image

Show more

Top MLB Betting Offers

1
recommended
offer icon
Free Bets
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
Fanduel review
gamblespot score
4.3 /5
Must be 21+ and present in an eligible state. T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800 GAMBLER.
2
hot offer
offer icon
Free Bets
Get up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets!
Fanatics Sportsbook review
gamblespot score
4.3 /5
Must be 21+ and present in an eligible state. T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800 GAMBLER.
3
exclusive
offer icon
Free Bets
Bet $5, Get $150 Instantly!
DraftKings review
gamblespot score
4.5 /5
Must be 21+ and present in an eligible state. T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800 GAMBLER.
4
offer icon
Free Bets
Bet $1 and your Winnings are Doubled on the next 10 bets!​
Caesars review
gamblespot score
4.4 /5
Copy Promo Code
Must be 21+ and present in an eligible state. T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800 GAMBLER.
5
offer icon
Free Bets
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
BetMGM Sports review
gamblespot score
4.6 /5
Must be 21+ and present in an eligible state. T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800 GAMBLER.

Latest Baseball News

Dodgers Go 1-2 in Cardinals Series with Game 3 Win
June 10th, 20254 mins

Dodgers Go 1-2 in Cardinals Series with Game 3 Win

If there’s worry about how the Los Angeles Dodgers are struggling right now, it does seem that the focus is expected to shift on how they are going to stay on track for a championship finish this year. Despite being able to respond with a 7-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals, it seems that there’s going to be a lot of concern about their pace heading for the rest of the season.

Shohei Ohtani drilled the first pitch of the series finale on Sunday against the Cards, and he went on to gap in the left-center field before cruising to the second base with a stand-up double. He would go on to stay there for the next three hitters before Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman smashed line drives for outs.

The Dodgers went a mere 1-for-28 with runners in scoring position for the whole series. That is something that is very disappointing indeed considering the fact that they weren’t really playing that way. However, it does raise some concerns with this kind of play as they shift to battle another rival in the San Diego Padres.

The “Luck” Narrative

Well, there has been a lot of talk about how the Dodgers are simply relying on luck when it comes to their hits, and one can say that this is quite the 50-50 reality so far. That struggle on runners is definitely seen and felt well, but what was more evident in this stretch against the Cardinals was their lack of aggressive approach.

But in terms of bad luck, one can say that the Dodgers may have solved it – at least for now. That’s what manager Dave Roberts has to say, and it cannot be denied that they needed this one well.

“I don’t think that was there,” the manager said after his team’s 7-3 victory on Sunday afternoon. “There was a narrative out there for a little bit, but you know, it’s baseball, and so our guys kind of take it in stride. And I thought we were pretty good today with runners in scoring position.”

Los Angeles has gone 3-for-14 on those regard in the win, and they have certainly done a great job – or a satisfactory one at the very least, in avoiding what could have been the club’s second sweep for this season. No way they would have survived it in any other way, which says a lot about the hopes of a competitive run once more.

Surviving the Season?

Despite being third overall in the National League, it cannot be denied that this is starting out to be a disappointing season for LA. That comes bearing even more stakes for many people when you mention that the team was also the winner of the previous year’s World Series, so there’s that.

And yet, the Dodgers are only standing at meager 39-27. That is closer to the teams from the 4th to 8th seed teams in the National League, and a few wins behind the top seed New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs following suit.

This season has been about redefining what the Dodgers really are made of. Dealing with the complacency after winning, and learning more about each other as they seek to come up with some of the best rallies to get back on a more competitive track in the 2025 MLB season as well.

TJ Friedl Shines for Reds in Tight Win Against Brewers
June 5th, 20254 mins

TJ Friedl Shines for Reds in Tight Win Against Brewers

Cincinnati was holding on for dear life when they battled the Milwaukee Brewers in an unexpected tight showdown. So when the ball was on their pitching side and was later thrown, fans were definitely in for a massive ride as it looked like it would be a home run for the visitors, only to be saved by TJ Freidl as the ball nearly went over the wall.

Emilio Pagán drilled a promising score of his own to make it a 4-2 lead, but it cannot be denied that it was Friedl’s massive save that sealed the deal with a leaping catch that no one expected him to pull off. The lights went wild in the stadium as fans celebrated a thrilling victory to give the Reds their first win in this three-game series.

All games have been tight contests, even today’s showdown. However, nothing tops off that massive play from Friedl as it definitely goes down as one of the biggest highlights for Tuesday Baseball. That win also puts them close to the eighth seed of the National League, just a few more wins behind the Brewers and the San Francisco Giants.

Clutch Saves Happen

As much as this is celebrated as if the Reds won the World Series, clutch saves happen in the game, and that is not new. What’s unique, however, is the frequency of these kinds of saves. For Friedl’s big play, it was not just a simple save – but rather a risky one to begin with.

For starters, Friedl chased down the ball as soon as it went up high. He did not look at the path he was going down on – thus the risk of a potential slip up or even a misstep, but luckily, he ended up jumping on the wall (that has a protective foam specifically designed for players to jump on), and eventually caught the ball in what has been a defining clutch moment.

"How about that?" Friedl said. “I knew it was hit well off the bat. I was kind of just tracking it. Probably when I was coming close to the warning track, I was like, ‘I could have a chance at this. It’s possible.’ Anything is possible.”

That massive save also ended the Brewers’ eight-game winning streak. The Reds evened up the rivalry showdown in the second game, and now they can ignore whatever result the third game had to offer.

On the Other Side of the Bat

While fans are celebrating Friedl’s game-winning play, this comes as a frustrating finish for Jake Bauer, who was at the batting end of the attempted home run. Had Friedl not made a fantastic save, it would have been a walkoff victory for the Brewers. Instead, the club goes 1-1 before today’s affair to wrap up the series.

“It’s a rollercoaster,” Bauers said. “I got the pitch I was looking for, put a good swing on it and you thought you might have got enough. And then the game’s over, you lose. That’s why they don’t make a level higher than this, because guys can go and make those plays in a big spot like that.”

The Reds will now continue their homestand as the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks come onto their turf. The Brewers, on the other hand, will host the San Diego Padres in their three-game clash starting this Friday.

Paul Skenes Shines in Decimation of Diamondbacks to Close Three-Game Clash
May 30th, 20254 mins

Paul Skenes Shines in Decimation of Diamondbacks to Close Three-Game Clash

The season hasn’t been kind to the Pittsburgh Steelers so far, but then they are still capable of showing signs of life at this point even at the bottom of the National League. Paul Skenes rallies this gritty team as they pulled off a stunning 10-1 smash on the Arizona Diamondbacks to get into 21 wins.

Now headed to San Diego for the next three games, Skenes and the Pirates are carrying a promising pace after that offensive burst as the team looks to keep on winning once more. It seems that this season will be something to look forward to as they seek to salvage it as well.

Skenes was on the fiery side – and yet he hasn’t been able to come up with impressive scoring bursts, but has found his groove when it mattered most. Dominating at Chase Field has been his strong suit, and he made sure that he would be able to keep his pace going as they now hope to keep on winning in the next set of games.

A Massive Win for the Pirates

Pittsburgh stands with a 21-36 record as of the time of writing and is dead second to the last in the National League. It has been a tough season with the team having a lot of injuries, but then they are trying to find ways to win. One of those ways is to have Skenes ride on a winning groove. This May hasn’t been quite his big game though, as he entered this final stretch at 0-3, only to claim his spot on the win column late.

Skenes took out seven batters in over six and ⅔ innings, which marked the fifth time in a row that he has at least struck out half dozen players on the batting side. On top of that, he was pitching at a 2.32 ERA during that stretch, and yet was still able to close out the month of May with a promising finish, thanks to a flurry of runs.

Majority of the damage came from the sixth inning, which saw them generate a total of five runs. The Pirates chased Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen and kept their foot on the gas as they rallied all the way to the finish and kept the D-backs from scoring once more.

A Chance at a Climb with Skenes?

Paul Skenes has emerged as the cornerstone of the Pittsburgh Pirates' pitching staff, and his continued excellence is pivotal for the team's resurgence in the 2025 season. Following a stellar rookie year where he posted a 1.96 ERA and set a franchise record with 170 strikeouts, Skenes has maintained his dominance into the new season.

This performance marked his 10th quality start in 12 appearances, underscoring his consistency and reliability on the mound. Beyond his on-field achievements, Skenes has taken on a leadership role within the Pirates' clubhouse. Drawing from his experiences and insights gained from veterans, he has been instrumental in fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration among his teammates.

His calm demeanor and work ethic serve as a model for others, and his influence is evident in the team's improved performance and morale. As the Pirates aim to end a decade-long playoff drought, Skenes' ability to lead both on and off the field will be crucial in guiding the team back to contention.

See More Baseball News

Where Should You Bet on the MLB?

There are a lot of betting sites that you can try to bet on baseball betting picks, but not all of them guarantee competitive odds and impressive markets that can give you a chance at winning handsome rewards. What GambleSpot offers among its fine selection of betting partners is a myriad of promising offers that will give you a shot at landing amazing prizes in the long run!

If you are looking for expert MLB picks that you would bet on, then these options should give you a fair chance at winning big in the long run. Find out which of the sites can help you enjoy a worthwhile betting experience like no other!

 

BetRivers

BetRivers is one of the top options that you can consider when it comes to the top MLB bets today. Present in almost 25 states in the United States alone, you can consider this site both for sports betting and even casino gaming. You can be sure that BetRivers is a great pick that will offer you a wide array of markets especially for the MLB!

BetRivers logo image

 

Borgata Sports

Known mainly for being a subsidiary of the Atlantic City casino, Borgata Sports takes pride in bringing baseball picks to the next level. The impressive maintenance on this site has allowed them to offer real-time odds updates to all bettors, giving them an increased chance of making better wagers when it comes to betting on MLB games.

Borgata sports logo image

 

BetMGM

For those who are keen to get the best MLB games to bet on today, BetMGM is one of the baseball betting sites that you can consider in placing wagers. From various sports and casino games available at your disposal, you can be sure that BetMGM will offer you the best MLB betting picks that you can enjoy to come up with promising wins.

BetMGM sports logo image

 

Bet365

This United Kingdom-based betting site can give you a head start in learning how to bet on baseball and score massive wins in placing wagers right away. If you’re looking for an option for MLB betting with a lot of other sports in its reach, Bet365 is a great option for you to consider as it also has some betting markets for sports in Europe and the rest of the world.

Bet365 logo image

MLB Betting Expert Picks to Consider

When it comes to making an MLB bet worth it, GambleSpot considers playing it smart for you to make the most of your chances, especially in games where there are big showdowns and impressive outings from respective teams and players night in and night out. If you want to enjoy and make the most out of your betting experience in the MLB, then you should try the different markets that MLB betting sites have to offer.

Here are some of the recommended betting markets that you should try placing wagers on.

 

MLB Moneylines

Some of the MLB best bets made over time usually come from the simplest markets. Moneylines are common in every sport when it comes to betting, but this is just outright betting on the winner of a given game. There is no need to try and predict the score as all you have to do is just pick a team that you think has the best chance of winning – and then hope that their odds will hold up well to win big by the end of the ninth inning.

MLB is a game that is full of momentum swings, which is why not all baseball picks today may be the best option every single time. Research should accompany your betting decisions, especially when it comes to high-stakes games that involve teams sitting at the top of the league, or even lowly teams battling just to end a slump. The MLB can be unpredictable at times, which is why moneylines offer generous rewards if you ever get it right.

 

MLB Runline

The run line is the MLB’s version of spread betting. If you are quite familiar how spreads work, all you just need to do is to bet on a team and predict the winning margin. This can be either a team to lose by a set number of runs, or a team to win by a set number of runs. Most of the time, bookmakers set up the numbers usually before the game begins, and it usually updates as soon as the actual game begins.

For those who are just betting for the first time and are keen to find expert MLB picks, the run line usually has favorites set with a minus (-) sign next to the number of runs that the team is expected to win with. The underdog, on the other hand, will have a plus (+) sign next to the number of runs that it is expected to lose with. For the bet to win, you just have to guess the amount of runs that a team will either win or lose with. Most of the time, the payouts are even bigger when your wager on the underdog wins.

 

Over/Under and Game Totals

Game totals and over/under often coincide as these markets both deal with the scores. When it comes to the MLB bets, you just have to take a guess on the total runs that will be scored in the game – on both sides combined for nine innings. In the 2023 season alone, the average runs scored per game was at 9.1, taking a huge leap from the 8.5 runs averaged in the 2022 season. This just means that the number gets bigger from one season after another, and game totals are fairly easy to win.

On top of that, the over/under market adds some spice to your betting experience. For this one, all you have to do is to predict the total score of the game from the two clubs combined. Then you will have to bet if the score goes over or under a set number by the oddsmakers by the end of the game. Depending on the playing teams, there can be a variation from the average runs scored per game, which if it ends in a tie in an event that an extra inning is played, the bookmakers are most likely to reimburse the bet.

 

Parlays

Take your betting experience to the next level with the top MLB picks at your disposal and gain multiple big wins with parlays! MLB parlays combine various market bets such as over/under, game totals, run line, futures bets, prop bets, and many other options that will allow you to create a string of wagers that will win you a bigger reward if all predictions are correct.

Parlays can be a mix of different sports as well, which allows you to come up with a more comprehensive set of wagers from the MLB, the NBA, the NFL, and the NHL for instance. It also allows you to create a bigger winning bet that will unfold once the sports season ends. This will lead to a much more rewarding payout especially if all your guesses went right in the high-stakes wagers you made.

 

Futures Betting

One of the best markets that would yield promising rewards in the long run is futures betting. It is considered one of the best bets for MLB today thanks to its unpredictability and high-risk and high-reward turnout. For those avid MLB fans, it is a great chance to enjoy watching the big games from your favorite teams while they contend for a chance to win in their matches.

These can be wagers on regular season awards, such as MVP, Cy Young Award, and many other individual awards in the MLB. On top of that, you can also wager on which team will come up with a league-record in wins, a division championship, or even a finish at the top of the World Series if you’re feeling a bit confident in your wagers on experts’ MLB picks.

 

Prop Bets

Prop bets add some flair in your betting experience as these can be random wagers depending on the bookmakers. To simplify this, all you need to do is to just bet on a “yes” or “no” market considering that these will be a wide range of options. For example, you can bet on “x player to hit two home runs in the fifth inning” or “x player to reach three strikeouts in one inning” and many more. All of these can also be eligible for an over/under bet depending on the players’ and teams’ performances.

The prop bets are offered in multiple numbers in a single game. These are various scenarios of “what-ifs” in the game that will reward bettors with impressive payouts if they get it right. From time to time, these either involves players for individual feats, all the way to teams reaching a set amount of strikeouts or home runs, it all leads to rewarding and promising wagers.

How to Make MLB Bets Today

Now that you have a further elaborate understanding of how to bet on the MLB, it is a no brainer that you should also learn how to place wagers in our recommended sites so that you can make the most of your bets in the long run. Time to make the best of the MLB picks today with the help of our guide!

  1. Select a site from our list of recommended betting partners.
  2. Pick any MLB game from the schedule to bet on.
  3. Check the available betting markets and choose one or more to wager on.
  4. Make sure to check out the betting odds and try to compare it to other betting sites to ensure that you get the best options.
  5. Place your wager, this can be a set amount that at least meets the minimum required bet depending on your choices.
  6. Make sure to double-check your options in betting before finalizing your wagers. You may also opt to use bonuses and other promotions to increase your possible payout.

Baseball bets image

Tips and Tricks to Win in MLB Betting Today

Knowing a thing or two about the betting markets on the MLB is a start, but if you are going to make the most of MLB picks today, you need to know and understand how you can make an informed decision based on the data at your disposal. These MLB betting strategies are mainly general and focused on giving you an advantage in your wagers, which is why you should make some adjustments as soon as you put these strategies into work.

MLB picks image

Here are some of the best betting tips that can give you an edge in your wagers.

 

Learn About the Playing Teams and Athletes

The MLB is composed of 30 teams, split into two leagues: the National League and the American League. Each team has a total of 28 players in their roster, and some of these are star players who carry their teams to bigger heights in the season, which is why it is a must to learn who’s who, which star shines bright on the big stage, and which team dominates the MLB on a regular basis. Finding out more about your favorite teams and players can help you make informed betting decisions at the end of the day.

 

Compare the Past Games

MLB games are played regularly as soon as the season begins. Clubs play a total of 162 games each in a single campaign, which totals 2,430 games, and this does not include the postseason still, which is why you can definitely have a lot of games to take in for data. Because of the long season in the MLB, there is fatigue to consider, and that affects pace in any given time, which is why comparing the past games for a given club will help you see and predict if they can win their next game, especially if it is against a contender team or a squad that has won straight games.

 

Review Head-to-Head Stats

Head-to-head stats offer an insight between the two playing teams in a given game. With these numbers, you can easily spot how a certain team or player performs against another. This is why seeing the head-to-head stats will keep you occupied with comparable data that will give you a chance to see which team has a better chance against the other. It would give you a bigger advantage especially when betting on two highly competitive teams.

 

Stay on Track for MLB Updates

As said before, the MLB has a long season, and this means that it is possible for teams to make trades, waiving contracts, and injuries to occur. All of these play a huge role in how a certain team or player performs at a given game, and it will also change the odds for a given team depending on the surrounding conditions that are in play. This is why staying updated to the MLB will always give you the information you need so that you can decide on your wagers with all of these information in consideration.

Top Events for MLB Betting Expert Picks

Like any other sports league in the world, the MLB offers a lot of events that will allow you to bet on multiple games with bigger stakes. While there are multiple in-season series that take place from time to time, such as games held in London, Mexico City, and many other places, there are bigger events in the MLB that take place at an annual basis with huge implications to the regular season and even the postseason.

Here are some of the MLB events that you should not miss a chance to bet on.

 

MLB Spring Training

Spring Training serves as the preseason in the MLB. Compared to other sports leagues, however, Spring Training is a chance for players and teams to get ready for the season and build their strategies before the actual campaign begins. On top of that, these games are played in Arizona (Cactus League) and Florida (Grapefruit League), allowing crowds to see their favorite stars in action on the big stage. This usually takes place a month before the actual season begins.

 

MLB All-Star Game

More known as Midsummer Classic, the MLB All-Star Game is a game played between selected stars from the American League and the National League. These players are voted by fans, managers, and players themselves. This is usually played in the second or third Tuesday in July, marking the significant half of the MLB season. There are also additional events and games that take place to accompany the break.

 

Wild Card Series

The Wild Card Series serves as the starting round to the MLB postseason, where select teams that earn a wild-card spot play a three-game series to earn the final slot in the MLB Playoffs. This was designed to avoid the need to play various tie-breaker games in the season. Three teams get a chance to play for an advanced spot that will see them take on the two-best division winners in the Division Series.

 

Division Series

The Division Series is the quarterfinal equivalent of the MLB Playoffs. A total of four best-of-five series are played in this phase of the postseason, with each league having two matchups on display. Winners in this clash will emerge as the winner for their respective Divisions and will move on to play in the Championship Series.

experts MLB picks image

League Championship Series

The Playoffs’ semifinal, the League Championship Series matches up the winners from the Division Series in both leagues, with only one emerging as the League winner by the end of this phase. This is split into the American League Championship Series (ALCS), and the National League Championship Series (NLCS). Since 2005, the LCS has been expanded into a best-of-seven series, with home advantage being given to the club with the best record or a division winner in the case of a wild-card opponent.

 

World Series

The World Series is the final of the MLB where the winners of the League Championship Series collide for a chance to win the Commissioner’s Trophy. This usually takes place in late October, and sometimes pushes through early November if the series go through the fifth, sixth, and seventh games. Since its induction, the World Series has been contested a total of 119 times, with the American League team holding a 68-51 record over the years.

Enjoy Top-Notch MLB Betting Today!

Betting on the MLB can be a rewarding experience if you know how to come up with the best bets that are available to your disposal. This means that you can rack up amazing wins if you ever get lucky. With the help of our immense and detailed betting guide, you can be sure that you will have an edge in your wagers and secure handsome prizes!

Make sure to take a breeze through our guide from time to time, and check out other MLB content here at GambleSpot. We provide you with detailed guides, news, blogs, game analysis, predictions, and many other sports-related content that you would not want to miss!

FAQ

How many picks are in the MLB draft?

In 20 rounds of draft selection, a total of 614 picks will be selected at an annual basis, with teams eligible to make trades for picks and swaps as they seem fit. Not all of the drafted players end up in the MLB, as some stay to play in college baseball, Minor Leagues, or even the Triple-As.

How many games are in an MLB season?

A team in the MLB is slated to play a total of 162 games in the season, excluding the postseason if they are ever qualified for the playoffs. That gives us a rough total of 2,430 games in a single campaign.

How many MLB teams are there?

There are a total of 30 MLB teams playing every season, with 29 of those coming from the United States and a lone club from Canada. These teams are split into 15 each per league, which halves the competitive side of the game.

When is the MLB trade deadline?

Every season, the MLB allows trade to be made by the end of the regular season. This will end in every 1st of August, where all trade talks will cease and any other team dealing within the same day will only get an extra of two hours to complete their transactions.

Author
Author: Paul Daniel Flores
Updated: 3 weeks ago
Author: Paul Daniel Flores
Writer l Sports and Esports Expert
Updated: 3 weeks ago

Are you sure?

This will delete all chat history, and I will not remember what we were talking about.

Todays Hot Deals