MLB Betting Odds

Canada is a notably well-rounded sports country and that includes Major League Baseball, where the Blue Jays are king for most MLB fans and bettors around the country. Especially now thanks to the expansion of online sportsbooks in Ontario and the huge number of betting options that come with them.

Today’s MLB Betting Odds

Sports bettors have plenty of options to explore all year, but some leagues dominate the conversation at specific times.

For the spring and summer months, baseball takes centre stage along with the CFL. The MLB is one of the leagues that draws tons of betting action at online sportsbooks in Canada.

Here’s a complete look at how to bet on MLB online, including where you can find the best odds for upcoming games.

How to bet on baseball online

Sportsbooks will list MLB games in order by start time, with the odds for the main pregame bets using a game between the Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays as an example:

Teams	Run Line	Moneyline	Total
Toronto Blue Jays	-1.5 (+150/2.50)	-135/1.74	Over 8.5 (-115/1.87)
Boston Red Sox	+1.5 (-175/1.57)	+115/2.15	Under 8.5 (-105/1.95)

On the moneyline, the negative value for the Jays and the lower decimal number both indicate their favoured status. Toronto is also the run line favourite in a game in which the line for total runs is 8.5.

• • • Moneyline: Pick which side you think will win the game.
    • Run line: Take the favourite minus 1.5 runs or go with the underdog plus 1.5.
    • Total: Bet on whether the total runs in the game will be over or under the sportsbook’s line.

First five innings betting

While one of the biggest factors in MLB betting is the starting pitcher matchup, it’s not uncommon to see the game decided in the later innings after the opening hurlers have hit the showers. To eliminate the impact of the bullpens on the betting results, the first five innings bet is a popular option.

The goal is simple: just pick which side will be ahead after five frames. It works like a standard moneyline bet. If the two sides happen to be tied after five, the bet will be a push.

• • • Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees — First Five Innings
      • Tigers              +240 or 3.40
      • Yankees          -320 or 1.31

If you have a good read on starting pitchers but tend to find relievers to be unpredictable, then this could be a fun betting option. As an added bonus, you’ll know the result of your bet as soon as the first five frames are in the books.

MLB line movement

After the initial release of sports betting odds, the public will start weighing in with wagers. Sportsbooks then may adjust the numbers in response to where the bets are going or new developments, such as an injury or a weather concern. At times, the numbers will move in your favour, but they can also shift in the other direction.

Over in the NFL or NBA, spreads, totals and moneylines, all can move in advance of game time. The same holds true for MLB. The initial odds could show a clear favourite, but heavy wagering on the underdog could push the line tighter by the first pitch.

In many cases, the moves are only slight, but there will be times when there’s more of a dramatic shift. For bettors, the best advice is to always take the time to line shop, which simply means that you are comparing the odds at multiple books to find the most favourable odds for any wagers you want to place.

MLB props and futures

Beyond the main bets that we just went over, props and futures are two other popular options. A prop is basically a side wager on something that might happen during a game, while a futures bet is a long-term wager on an outcome for the entire season or playoffs.

Props can revolve around the game as a whole or on the two teams. The most popular category, however, is player props. You could bet on things like the following:

• • • Will Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a home run?
      • Yes      +200 or 3.0
      • No       -180 or 1.56
    • How many strikeouts for Kevin Gausman?
      • Over 7.5          -115 or 1.87
      • Under 7.5        -105 or 1.95
    • Who will have more total bases in the game? 
      • George Springer         -130 or 1.77
      • Xander Bogaerts         +120 or 2.20

The biggest MLB futures bets are on season-long outcomes such as the winner of the World Series, league pennants or individual divisions. You can also bet on players to win the MVP or Cy Young and much more. Odds come out in the offseason and remain active from there. For the World Series winner, the board could look like this:

The odds appear in descending order, with favourites at the top. As an example, odds of +2000 (or 21.00 in decimal form) means that a winning $100 wager would return $2,000 in profit. The general idea with futures is to find the selections that you want at the best possible prices.

MLB live betting

Betting on games as they happen is a featured offering at all of the top online sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM. Starting with the first pitch, there will be new options to place your bets as the game plays out. Odds and lines will update — often rapidly — throughout the game. Here are some common baseball live betting options:

• • • Updated odds for the main pregame bets
    • New player props
    • Alternate lines
    • Innings and segments of the game
    • Race to a certain number of runs
    • The outcome of the next at-bat

The exact offerings may vary by sportsbook, but you’ll have plenty of chances to get in on the action no matter where you play. Live betting opens the doors to hedging your initial bets or even doubling down if things appear to be going your way. It can be incredibly fun and exciting, but remember to always bet with your head and never over it.

How to sign up and bet MLB games

Getting set to play at a legal online sportsbook is simple. From start to finish, you can be ready to bet in just a few minutes on your computer or smartphone. Here’s how to open an account:

• • • Click the links on this page to claim any offers or directly visit the sportsbook of your choice
    • Follow the prompts to complete the registration process
    • Make your first deposit to claim your welcome offer
    • Start browsing the latest MLB betting lines and place bets

Betting on Blue Jays in Ontario

Since the allowance of single-game betting in 2021, bettors in Ontario have had ProLine+ as the only sportsbook option. But that is all changing with the arrival of commercial sportsbooks, and there are going to be many more choices when it comes to the hometown Blue Jays, which has the potential to be one of the best teams in the league in 2022.

Not only can you pick from a huge menu of game-by-game options, but there will be plenty of future options available. So if you want to sit down and enjoy Vladdy, Springer, Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman, Jose Berrios, and the rest of the Jays, expect to find the following options:

• • • Moneyline, Run Line, & Total (Full Game, F5 Innings, Individual Innings)
    • Alternate Run Lines & Totals
    • Player Props (Hits, Runs, RBIs, HRs, Strikeouts)
    • Team Total Runs
    • First Team To Score

MLB betting rules at sportsbooks

All legal online sportsbooks have their own house rules for betting on MLB and all other sports. Many of them simply cover what you need to know about the placement and settlement of bets, while others explain what happens when unusual circumstances arise. Here are a few of the most important points to know:

• • • Games that are slightly delayed due to weather will remain active. A complete delay or postponement will lead to the sportsbook voiding bets.
    • Unless specifically noted with the “listed pitcher” option, pregame wagers will still go off regardless of any changes in the starting pitcher matchup.
    • If a player is completely ruled out of playing before a game begins, the book will pull any prop bets involving that player off the board.

Some sportsbook websites have dedicated sections for house rules, while others will include the information elsewhere on the site. It’s up to you to know the ins and outs wherever you play, so take a few minutes to review the rules after signing up. Knowing them before you start betting can help prevent unexpected surprises.

Best sportsbooks for MLB betting

Options abound for MLB bettors in Canada these days. In years past, your only choices were parlay-style games from lottery providers. Now, though, many bettors are getting access to more options. Here are a few of the best of the best for online MLB betting:

1. DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings has tons of betting markets including a massive collection of props and even flash props that focus on a specific pitch or at-bat. DK will also offer MLB promotions as regularly as any other site.

 

2. BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM can compete with anyone when it comes to the number of markets offered, including props, alternate run lines and totals, and the one-game parlay builder. The easy parlay feature also makes it easy to build multi-leg wagers.

3. BetRivers Sportsbook

Beyond the massive number of MLB markets, BetRivers also has some distinct features that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. On the main game listings, you’ll find clickable links for the latest stats and trends relevant to that game. BetRivers also has a great layout for props, live betting, and alternate lines.

4. Caesars Sportsbook

Not only does the Caesars Ontario app have props and same-game parlays for MLB, but it also has more daily odds boosts and promotion offers than most of its online competitors on any given day.

 

5. PointsBet Sportsbook

PointsBet is another site with a huge range of betting markets for every game, plus ongoing MLB promotions. You’ll find a host of props and alternate lines to choose from. PointsBet also lets bettors take more control over their wagers with its “name a bet” feature.

 

6. FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel is another go-to spot for many MLB bettors thanks to a user-friendly platform and a huge betting menu, which includes some unique markets not available everywhere else. The innovators of the SGP also offer same-game parlays and promotions surrounding them.

Best MLB odds boosts and promos

When looking to bet on sports online, you should always be on the lookout for promotions. Many sportsbooks offer sign-up offers for new players, but you’ll also want to check for recurring incentives for existing customers. Here are some of the options you might find:

• • • Profit Boosts: Enhanced odds or profit potential for specific MLB bets.
    • Parlay Insurance: Receive a refund up to a set amount if your parlay misses by just one leg, for example.  
    • Bet Insurance: If you lose, you get site credit back.  

For example, DraftKings may offer a boost on Bo Bichette to go yard in an upcoming game. The regular odds for him to hit a home run may be +350 (4.5), while the boost could bump it up to +400 (5.0). On a bet of $100, the boost provides the chance for an extra $50 in profit.

On the insurance front, FanDuel may offer an incentive where you can get your stake back on losing same-game parlay bets of four legs or more. If you miss out on a single leg, the insurance has you covered up to the max of the offer.