MLB Run Line Betting: How and Where to Bet on Baseball Run Lines
Written by: Eddie Griffin
Last Updated: Mon Sep 16, 2024, 12:19 PM
Read Time: 5 minutes
When betting on Major League Baseball odds, there are a few main options available at most sports betting sites. One of those options is run line betting.
Betting on the point spread is one of the most popular ways to bet on many sports.
Spread betting is known by different terms in some sports. In soccer betting, the spread is known as the goal line or handicap. In hockey, spread bets are known as puck line bets. And in baseball betting, spread betting is known as run line betting.
Here, we will break down the basics of betting on baseball run lines and give you the skinny on the best places to bet on run line odds.
What Is Run Line Betting?
While different terms are used in different sports, the principles of spread betting are the same whether you are betting on the NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL.
If you are betting on the spread favorite, the favorite must win by at least a certain number of points, runs, goals, etc.
If you are betting on the spread underdog, the underdog must either win outright (if betting on a full game/match or a specified length of time) or lose by fewer than a certain number of points, runs, goals, etc.
However, there are two major differences between spread betting in sports like basketball and football and betting on the run line in baseball.
Whereas point spreads in basketball and football can wildly vary, most run lines are -1.5/+1.5. That is also the case in hockey, as most NHL puck lines are -1.5/+1.5.
Also, while many spread odds in basketball and football are -110/-110, -115/-105, or somewhere in that range, MLB run line odds–and NHL puck line odds–have much more variety.
With many run lines, the favorite will have longer odds, while the underdog will have shorter odds.
Below, we have an example of run line odds. This hypothetical matchup features the Boston Red Sox (the road team) and New York Yankees (the home team), which is one of the biggest rivalries in sports.
- Boston Red Sox +1.5 (-140)
- New York Yankees -1.5 (+120)
For the favored Yankees to cover the run line, they must win by two or more runs.
For the Red Sox to cover the run line, they must either win outright or lose by one run.
When Should You Bet the Run Line?
If you are betting directly on the outcome of a game, moneyline and spread betting are your two options.
There can be times when it can be tough to determine which one you should bet on, but when does it make the most sense to bet on MLB run line odds instead of MLB moneyline odds?
If a team is a big favorite, the run line makes much more sense than the moneyline. For example, when one of the best teams in the league faces one of the worst teams in the league or when there is a significant mismatch on the mound, a team may be a heavy favorite.
In those instances, a moneyline bet on the favorite will not have much value. For example, if the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are one of MLB’s best teams, have a home game against the Colorado Rockies, who are one of MLB’s worst teams, the Dodgers will be heavily favored.
In that instance, the run line has much more value than the moneyline, even if the run line is -2.5.
Also, if the underdog appears to have a decent chance to win, a run line bet can be a safer choice. That can be the case especially if the underdog has played a lot of one-run games.
For example, in the 2023 MLB season, the Cincinnati Reds played a league-leading 63 one-run games. Over the course of the season, those trends are something to track. Resources like Baseball Reference and Team Rankings are good for keeping up with MLB betting trends that can impact run line bets.
Get Daily MLB Run Line Picks at Betting News
At Betting News, we offer free MLB computer picks for every game every day.
Moneyline, run line, and total (over/under) picks from trusted sports betting industry sources are matched up with MLB odds from top sports betting sites to come up with the recommended picks for each game.
Where Can You Bet on MLB Run Line Odds?
Because spread betting is one of the most popular ways to bet on many sports, you can find MLB run line odds at all of the top online sportsbooks.
Here are some of the sports betting sites we recommend for placing MLB run line bets:
On our MLB odds page, you can compare run line odds from these sportsbooks and others.
If you are unfamiliar with any of these betting sites and would like to learn more about them, we have in-depth sportsbook reviews for each of them.
Other Sports Betting Information
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