Top 10 Baseball Betting Tips

 

Betting on baseball is not as popular with the general public as betting on football. However, many professional sports bettors consider it to be one of the best ways to make money since it is one of the easiest sports to handicap. There are also many games every day of the season to choose from when making a wager which means that players can be more selective in choosing their games. The Nevada Sportsbooks are usually just happy to break even for the baseball season. Here a few winning tips I like to follow when I bet on Baseball.

 

 1.  Avoid the Early Season

A successful professional sports bettor I know will not bet any games prior to June for several reasons. Early in the season the weather can be bad at certain parks.
Some managers are still experimenting with their line ups.
Many good pitchers get off to a slow start at the beginning of the season.
Spend the first few weeks studying the teams rather than betting them. The baseball season is long and there will be plenty of opportunities for betting the games.

 

2.  Bet the Underdogs

Most professional sports bettors will tell you that the secret to winning is to bet the underdog. When you bet the money line on the underdog you are risking less to win more. The best baseball teams lose at least sixty games a year and the worst teams win close to that same number. The rest of the league falls somewhere in between. Consider that the more favorites you bet, the higher the percentage of wins you'll need to break even. The money line in baseball is always set by the starting pitcher of the teams involved. Look beyond the pitching to the teams other strengths to make your decision.

 

3.  Consider Streaks

A favorite has won three games in a row you should lay off betting them at all costs. The odds stack up heavily against you in this situation. The same can be said about teams that are involved in a three-game loosing streak. You should also only bet a team that has won their last game. The mental attitude of a team that is coming off a win is better than after a loss.

 

4.  Pitchers

 Bet on a team whose pitcher did well in his last game. Pitchers usually work every fourth day. If a pitcher got clobbered in his last outing he may not be mentally ready to pitch again. You should also consider the team’s relief pitcher. If a relief pitcher for a team has been overworked in his last two games you might want to avoid that team.  

 

You should also consider the pitcher from the other team. When two top pitchers go head to head it could come down to a single mistake to decide the game. I would rather bet a top pitcher going against a lesser one than bet on two great pitchers dueling it out.

 

5.  Compare the Teams

Baseball is more than just pitching. You need to look at the strengths and weaknesses of each team. How do the starting players match up against each other? Some teams are more offensive with great hitters, while other teams are stronger in the field playing defense.

 

 

 

6.  Consider the Park

 Home field advantage is not as important in baseball as it is in football but you should still consider the ball park. Some teams play better in some parks than others. Some players just can’t seem to hit well in certain parks. Some parks have their own quirks such as the short left field at Fenway in Boston.

 

7.  Shop for the Best Line

 Shop around for the best money lines. Some Sportsbooks are offering 20 cent money lines while others are offering 10 cent lines (also called a dime-line). Many of the local casinos are offering 10 cent lines while most of the casinos on The Strip are offering 20 cent lines. Dime lines are great for the player because the house edge is smaller and you win more when you bet the underdog.

Example: The Yankees are plus 140 over the Boston. If you bet the Yankees and they lose you are minus $140. If you bet Boston and they win you would be paid $130 with a dime line but would be paid only $120 with a 20 cent line.

8.  Avoid Rivalriies 

Some teams have a natural rivalry with each other such as the Yankees and Red Sox or Giants and the Dodgers. When these rivals play they are usually up for the game and play their best. I like to avoid these teams when they play each other.

 

9.  Injuries to the Starting Line Up

Make sure there are no injuries in the starting line-up. In a game that could be decided by defense you want to make sure the key players are healthy. Never back a team unless it can put its top players on the field. A substitute for a key player could have timing that is just off a little from not playing a steady basis.

 

10.  Discipline

The key to winning at any form of gambling comes down to discipline. In Sports betting the biggest mistake that most players make is betting too many games. Players are on a winning streak may get greedy and decide to bet more games. Don’t chase your losses. Some players will bet more in hope of recouping a previous loss. This will usually lead to disaster. You should have a game plan and stick to it. Bet with your head not your heart. Don’t bet on a team just because they happen to be your favorite or because the game is on television. Bet on a team only when you determine it has the best chance of winning.