If you’re here looking for free MLB picks today, analysis on MLB games, and helpful tips and hints about betting on the sport – you may have just struck gold.
We will deliver the most up-to-date free baseball picks and offer extra insight and analysis on how to approach betting on the MLB at sportsbooks like Bovada.
Ready to dive in and lock in your MLB expert picks today? Let’s go.
Best MLB Picks Today
Baseball is notoriously challenging to predict, especially since weather impacts the game greatly, and you can’t find a more unstable factor to influence any sport.
Good thing our experts did most of the work to give you the latest game analysis and accompanying preview with key factors to help you decide your MLB betting picks today.
Below are some sites that offer some of the best odds for MLB games.
Best Sites to Place Your MLB Bets
- Bovada: Best overall
- BetOnline: Best moneyline MLB Picks
- MyBookie: Best run line odds
- MyStake: Top pick for prop bets
- Sportsbetting: Great MLB futures
- Everygame: Best for live betting
- BetUS: Excellent sports bonuses
MLB Bets Explained
Moneyline Bets
The most common bet in all the land, not just for baseball. This is a worldwide staple of gambling. Oh, you’re making a bet? It’s usually on who you think will win a contest – that’s exactly what a moneyline bet is.
A ‘minus’ sign represents the favorite, and the underdog carries a ‘plus’ sign. This represents how much money you’ll win when wagering on a baseball team.
If you win a bet after wagering $100 on a team who is +200, you’ll get $300 back. That means $200 profit and your $100 stake.
Conversely, winning a bet after wagering $100 on a team with -200 will get you $150 back. That’s $50 profit, and your $100 stake.
>> Place your moneyline bets at Bovada
ATS (Against the Spread)
ATS stands for Against The Spread, and in MLB baseball, it may also be known as run-line betting. Typically an underdog will be given a +2.5 boost depending on the gulf between the two teams, whereas a favorite will be -2.5.
Betting against the spread means taking the underdog and the +2.5 run boost. In a scenario where the Yankees are -2.5 against the Orioles, who are +2.5, you’d win the bet if the Orioles won or only lost by two runs.
You’d also be a moral winner for betting against the New York Yankees, essentially the evil empire not just of baseball but perhaps all of the sports across all the lands, real and fantasy.
>> Get the best run line betting odds at MyBookie
Over/Unders
Also known as ‘totals’ betting, this is typically when you make a bet on how large or small the final score will be. Let’s say you bet over 6.5 as the final total score. If the game ends 3-2, you’re out of luck.
The inverse would be true if the game ended 4-3, as that would put you over the top by 0.5, with a total of 7 being the final combined score.
If you don’t think you can confidently predict a win on either side, but you’re pretty sure it will be a high or low scoring affair, then betting the overs/unders is a good way to get some value.
>> Find the best totals bets at BetOnline
Prop Bets
Proposition bets are wagers on an event or occurrence independent of the outcome. In other words, you’re not betting on teams winning or losing, you’re just betting on something happening.
MLB props can come in a wide range of different forms, but the most popular are player statistics. You may bet on player home runs, hits, or strikeouts in an MLB game.
There are also team props, which instead of focusing on individual statistics, instead focus on team totals overall. An example is the total runs a team amasses as a unit.
>> Place your prop bets at MyStake
Futures
MLB futures are much like any other betting category or sports. You’re simply betting on something ahead of time. Any bet made a day or more in advance is classed as future.
Popular futures include betting on regular season divisional winners, MVPs for the MLB playoffs, or even the winners of the MLB World Series.
>> Go to Sportsbetting to place your MLB Futures bets
Parlays
Parlays are when you combine two or more single bets into a multiple bet that increases the odds and subsequent payout. The catch is you are betting on more than just one outcome, which makes it difficult to predict.
Another version of a parlay is what’s known as a same-game parlay. Instead of betting on moneylines or spreads from different match-ups, you’ll bet on different instances and outcomes from one game.
A typical same game parlay for MLB will look something like this:
- Mets moneyline win
- Over 8.5 runs
- Pete Alonso to hit a Home Run
For this bet to settle as a winner, all of the above must happen.
>> Find the best MLB Parlay picks today at Betus
Live Bets
Put simply, live betting is when you wager on a baseball game that is unfolding in real-time. You won’t get the same amount of markets available before the game, but you’ll have different options.
For example, if a game starts quickly and heavily, you might be tempted to bet on a high total run line. Live betting allows you to do that after the game has already started.
>> Head to Everygame for the best MLB live betting experience
Why Place Bets On Your MLB Picks Online?
1. You Can Play Real Life Moneyball
Baseball is a nerd’s sport. But guess what, we mean that in a good way. This isn’t the 90s anymore. Being a nerd is cool. Numbers are cool.
While you might not end up being as successful (?) as Billy Beane, and almost certainly not as good-looking as Brad Pitt, you can make many meaningful insights and bets using the data available for baseball.
You know what we like about Jeff McNeil, for example? He gets on base. There’s a bet for that, don’t you know.
2. Lengthy Seasons = More Data
Baseball seasons are long and glorious. They represent the best months of the year. The most sun, and the longest days.
From a data standpoint, that can only be a plus. The more numbers you have to work with, the better you can work out viable long-term strategies. Which segues nicely into our following reason.
3. Longer Games Means Better Live Betting Opportunities
Yes, we’re all about the length here in MLB betting. Sitting down and watching a baseball game with the opportunity to make live bets is a Godsend.
Being able to react in real-time to what’s happening on the mound and convert that into profitable betting opportunities is precisely what you should be looking for.
Baseball games can go on for hours, and we’ve already established that the more data, the better. You can ascertain patterns and make better predictions as time goes on.
4. The Home of the Underdogs
Baseball is an underdog sport. Do you know what that means? That means it’s a value sport. No underdogs win more than they do in professional major league baseball.
41.6% of the time, an underdog will come out victorious. That’s a staggering statistic. But before you go laying a wager on every underdog available, you should know that when the data is extrapolated long-term, the rate of profitability drops.
That’s why you need to combine your knowledge and research with these picks. But remember, good bets are all about value, and there’s almost none in a slim-odds favorite.
5. Diverse Wagering Options
We’ve already established that baseball is a game of numbers and statistics, which very kindly translates into the betting world.
The number of different categories and markets you can bet on is obscene. There’s always an opportunity to be had within various markets.
Proven MLB Betting Strategies
1. There is No Spoon
This is also known as the ‘Matrix Strategy.’ Put simply, not a single bonafide MLB betting strategy works above all else, and anyone who tells you there is, is lying.
Instead, combining the baseball betting strategies and actions you’ll find here is the best potential route to success. We never said it’d be easy, but nothing worth doing is.
2. Open Multiple Bookmaker Accounts
This one seems like a no-brainer, but many people don’t do it. There’s no reason you shouldn’t have as many sports betting accounts as possible at the best MLB betting sites.
Do you see the list at the start of this article? Go and register at every single one of them. Right now. Go on. We’ll wait. We promise.
Are you done? Good. Because now you’ve opened yourself up to even more opportunities and ways of making successful bets. All bookmakers excel in different ways, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t be taking advantage of that.
3. Shop for Lines
Another piece of simple advice – but hey, we never said we were teaching rocket science here. Ensure you’re getting the best odds possible for whatever wager you decide.
That means you need to look around and check what else is being offered. If it’s a moneyline or run-line bet, you’ll usually be able to find good odds comparison sites that will do the hard work for you.
If you plan to make more niche wagers, you must do the leg work yourself. But hey, it’s worth it.
4. Use Bonuses and Promotions
Every bookmaker website you sign up to will have a range of bonuses and promotions available. Some will only be for new players, and others will be available for everyone.
The best example of making this work for you is when websites use ‘odds boosts.’ Often different MLB betting apps will apply odds boosts to certain baseball matchups.
If you plan on betting on a certain team, you should check whether anyone has boosted their odds first. It doesn’t hurt to take a look; the worst that can happen is you’ll net yourself extra profit if you win.
5. Check Those Divisional Dogs
Remember how we said that baseball was a sport of winning underdogs? Well, this is where the analysis goes a little deeper. Not too deep. But, you know, one dream-level Inception type deep.
Divisional teams play each other more frequently throughout the season. This can only benefit the underdogs, as it allows them to become more familiar with their goliath team’s style of play.
So, in this instance, pay attention when divisional rivals are playing each other. Furthermore, home-field advantage is a grossly overestimated variable by the betting public, adding even more value to underdogs playing on the road.
6. There’s Never Too Much Data
Research. Research. Research. Then research some more. You can never have too much data on your hands. While over-analysis is risky, being as best equipped as possible with statistics never hurts.
7. Manage Your Bankroll
Read: Don’t be a brazen fool. This is good advice for most walks of life, but perhaps no more than the world of betting or other financial arenas.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a gigantic bankroll if you’re betting indiscriminately and emotionally. Remember always to follow a sustainable staking plan, and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
8. Consider Volume Betting
It’s true – MLB lends itself to volume betting. A system that yields an ROI (Return On Investment) of 3% will go further in baseball than in other sports simply because of the volume in baseball betting.
MLB is one of the few sports/leagues in the world where this applies to, another reason why it’s a unique and valuable proposition for sports bettors.
How to Place Bets On Today’s Best MLB Picks
Here’s a quick guide to registering as a new player at Bovada.
Step 1: Register at Bovada
- Log on to Bovada and click the red ‘Join’ button
- Fill out your details
- Wait for a validation link to arrive
Step 2: Validate your account
- Check your email inbox for the validation link
- If it’s not there, check your spam box
- Once you’ve located it, click the link to complete the account validation
Step 3: Deposit and place your bets
- Deposit using your chosen payment method
- Use a bonus if you wish
- Navigate to the baseball section and choose the MLB markets
- Fire up your bets!
Guide to Betting On the Top MLB Picks
Can I Make Money Betting on MLB?
Yes, you can make money betting on the MLB. You can also lose money betting on the MLB. The key is to be logical and only bet what you can afford to lose. Also make use of free MLB predictions. This is all fun and games at the end of the day.
Who Is Expected To Win the World Series?
The Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers are the current favorites at +600 and +700, respectively. Other contenders include the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, and the San Diego Padres.
>> Check the latest MLB betting odds at Bovada
What Are Parlays for MLB?
Parlays for MLB are the same as parlays in any other sport. It is a selection of two or more legs combined for greater odds.
What Is MLB Against the Spread?
Against-the-spread betting in MLB is about predicting the margin of victory within a baseball game.
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MLB Playoff Predictions and Free MLB Picks Today
Do you hear that sound? It’s the sweet crack of the bat and your future profits going through the roof. Maybe. We can’t guarantee anything. But we can say that this article can set you up for success in the best way possible.
As always, we recommend Bovada as the top sportsbook online to make your MLB betting picks today. Its in-depth markets and excellent bonuses are the best accompaniment to your sensible and well-researched wagers.
So, whether you’re backing the Mets to finally do it or the Angels to use the fact they have Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout in their roster, just remember our golden rules. Have fun, gamble responsibly, and never bet on the Yankees.
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