A run line is baseball’s version of a spread. There are a few key details to remember about run lines when betting on them. Unlike most other sports, a baseball run line will always be -1.5 for the favored team and +1.5 for the underdog.
You’re betting on the favorite winning by at least two runs or the underdog losing by fewer than two runs.
Got it? Good. There is far more advice and tips on run lines. However, let’s show you where to bet and how to get a great signup bonus for your baseball run line bet.
BetUS offers an amazing signup bonus for new users for the upcoming 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) season. For your first deposit, BetUS will match it 125% up to $2500.
>> Check the latest run line bets
Best Run Line Betting Sites
- BetUS: Best for run line betting overall
- BetOnline: Best for MLB live betting
- MyStake: Best for MLB outrights
- Bovada: Top pick for daily specials
- MyBookie: Best prop bets
- Xbet: Best for regular season awards
- Everygame: Special hot odds feature
- Thunderpick: Best crypto betting site
- BUSR: Best divisional odds
- SportsBetting: Great baseball futures
How To Get Started with Run Line Betting
Ready to place your first run line bet? We got to get you set up first. Here’s a rundown of how to create an account and start betting at BetUS.
Step 1: Create an account
- Head to BetUS to start your registration
- Click the green Join button at the top right corner
- Fill out the form and accept the terms and conditions
- Click Create Account
Step 2: Verify your email
- Open your inbox
- Look for an email from BetUS and open it
- Click on the verification link inside the email (you’ll be redirected to the login page)
Step 3: Place your MLB run line bets
- Click on the Cashier section
- Select a payment option
- Use promo code: JOIN125 for BetOnline’s 125% up to $2500 bonus
- Deposit $100 or more to qualify for the bonus
- Go back to the Sports section and click on the MLB lines and place your bet on a run line for the 2023 MLB season
See related baseball betting guides:
Why Use BetUS To Bet On Baseball Run Lines?
BetUS has baseball run lines every day Major League Baseball games are scheduled, plus new users get a lovely 125% bonus with their first deposit, worth up to $2500. That’s not the only reason to choose BetOnline.
Well-established sportsbook: The great news is BetUS is one of the most respected books in the industry. It has been online for over 20 years and is a fully licensed sportsbook. You can rest assured that your personal information and banking data are secured.
Awesome promotions and bonuses: Whether it’s a 10% sportsbook bonus + 20% casino reload bonus or a 200% Bitcoin signup promotion, BetUS has some fantastic rewards. They’ve got one of the best signup bonuses of any online sportsbook right now by giving you 125% on your first deposit.
Highly-competitive odds: You always want to do your research for the best odds on any game, especially with baseball run lines. BetUS thrives on giving its players that little bit extra to grab the win. For example, most books might have the Dodgers at -1.5 with +125 odds over the Diamondbacks at +1.5 with -145 odds. BetUS may give you the Dodgers at +130 or the Giants at -135, which could make a huge difference in your winnings.
Can I Claim A Bonus To Bet On Baseball Run Lines?
Absolutely! At BetUS, new users are being offered a 125% match on their first deposit up to $2500.
Remember that bonuses come with a rollover, with BetUS’s signup bonus requiring a 10x rollover, the industry standard. Also, remember that a minimum deposit of at least $100 to is required for the bonus.
MLB Baseball Run Line Preview
If you’re betting on a baseball run line, chances are it will be on a Major League Baseball (MLB) game. BetUS and many other books will have the run line from 24-48 hours before the scheduled baseball game begins, as with any other sport.
Let’s use the Dodgers vs the Diamondbacks again as an example since they’ll be facing each other on Opening Day 2023. As of this writing, there are no lines for any Opening Day games, but we can assume for now.
The home team Dodgers is once again a World Series contender and won the National League (NL) West last year, so we can safely predict they’ll be the favored team vs the visiting Diamondbacks (who finished fourth in the NL West).
We predict the Opening Day line will have the Dodgers favored at -1.5 with +110 odds and the D-backs at +1.5 with -130 odds.
If you bet on the Dodgers, they have to win by at least two runs for your wager to win. On the other hand, if you bet on the Diamondbacks, they need to win outright or lose by less than two runs for your wager to win.
MLB Run Line Strategies
Looking at MLB run lines dating back to 2004, there are a few noticeable trends to remember when betting. Consider that about 30% of MLB games end up being decided by one run. That is about one-third of the games, far more than expected.
A lot of bettors go with the favored team and wind up losing a lot of money because the favored team can’t cover that -1.5 a lot of the time. Many MLB bettors get stuck on the idea that since a team is favored to win, they’ll most likely win by at least two runs.
However, this is far from the case because close to one out of every three games is decided by one run. With the favorite at -1.5, they’re at a disadvantage because they have to win by at least two runs to cover.
Don’t forget to keep the ninth inning in mind with run-line bets on home teams.
If a favored home team is winning when it goes to the ninth inning, there’s a strong chance they won’t hit in the bottom of the inning if they hold the lead. The top of the ninth is often when underdogs pull within one run. However, if they can’t tie it, it ends as a one-run game, and the favorite doesn’t cover.
Therefore, you would lose if you had wagered on the -1.5 home team line. Many smart bettors go with the underdog for MLB run lines because it’s a safer and the more likely winning outcome.
How To Bet On MLB Opening Day
Here’s some advice on how to bet on MLB’s 2023 Opening Day 2023, so take note of a few interesting tidbits to help with your Opening Day bets. Looking at home teams dating back to 2004, they’ve won a little more than 62% of their Opening Day games.
That’s pretty good, but it also means the road team has won about 38% of the time. Round that up, and the road team (usually an underdog on Opening Day) wins about 40% of the time on Opening Day.
Considering that, a road underdog could see odds from +1.5 at +100 to +1.5 at -170. Anything in that range is a great value pick because the away team has won about 38% of Opening Day games dating back to 2004.
If the road underdog wins outright about 38% of the time, the likelihood they’ll cover the +1.5 spread is even higher.
Our best recommendation for Opening Day is to take the road underdog at +1.5.
Why Should I Bet Online For MLB Run Lines?
You can go to an in-person casino on a baseball run line. No one will look down on you. What you’re missing out on is simply convenience and mobility. Those aren’t the only reasons to go online when betting on MLB run lines. Check it out.
Fast Payouts: There’s a myth with online sportsbooks that they have slow payouts. This used to be the case, but not anymore, and certainly not with BetUS, who, like several other books, have tons of deposit options. In addition, many books provide bitcoin withdrawal options as well.
The Ability to Choose From Different Books: When you go into an in-person sportsbook, the lines you see are the ones you get. If you don’t like the odds, you must physically go somewhere else. That can be a drag and become very time-consuming.
With online betting, if you don’t like the lines at one book, you can get to another with the touch of a finger. Each book is also likely to have more odds than in-person books.
Fun Wherever You Go: It is convenient, and betting online can be done anywhere. All you have to do is download an app or use a mobile version of your preferred sportsbook. You can then place your bets at home, on the go, or while watching the game with friends. With the app or website in your hand, the baseball games just got a lot more fun.
Other sports betting guides worth checking out:
Guide to Baseball Run Line Betting
What’s The Best Place To Place My Bet On An MLB Run Line?
Our recommendation is BetUS because they’ll match your first deposit a whopping 125% up to $2500. That’s good money if you play the run line correctly.
What Are The Best Odds For A 2023 MLB Run Line?
There are no guaranteed run line betting odds nor a specific recommendation for the 2023 MLB season. However, your safest bet is to bet on the underdog when it comes to run lines because they can either outright win or lose by less than two runs for your wager to win.
Are There Any Good Bets For Opening Day 2023?
Our favorite value play for MLB’s 2023 Opening Day is to go with a road underdog getting +1.5 runs. History shows road teams win about 38% of games on Opening Day, and getting a run and a half gives them an even bigger advantage.
Ready To Place Your Baseball Run Line Bets?
Now that you know the ins and outs of betting on a baseball run line, let’s go over a few final thoughts on betting on baseball run lines. First, grab that great signup bonus at BetUS before you make your bet.
As for the games, while the favorite may get a bigger return at -1.5, they’re at a disadvantage because they have to win by at least two runs to cover. Therefore, we recommend taking the underdog at +1.5 as it’s less risky because an outright win or a one-run loss covers.
For MLB’s 2023 Opening Day, we think you stay away from home favorites. The numbers show home teams have won about 62% of the time since 2004. However, that doesn’t mean they won by at least two runs every time.
The underdog has won about 38% of the time. They didn’t lose all those games by more than two runs, meaning they’re winning outright, or losing by two runs or less has a good shot of happening. On that note, we recommend the road underdog on Opening Day at +1.5.
Enjoy the ball games, folks, and make sure to gamble responsibly.
The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Playing online casino games should always be about fun. Please remember that our guides and all gambling sites are only for people who are 18+. Also, check with local laws to find out if online gambling is legal in your area.
If you have a gambling addiction problem or anyone you know does, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. In addition, the following free gambling addiction resources can be of help:
