MLB Live Betting Explained

There’s no doubt any MLB match can be exciting but when you throw live betting in the mix, the fun goes up a level!

Even when those drab MLB games happen - because listen, sometimes they do - betting live can bring the excitement.

You know MLB betting - if not, level up - but what about how to bet live?

It really is as simple as it sounds. When watching the game you can wager on who you think will win, the run differential and even what happens next.

Want to understand and bet live on MLB? Glad you asked - Dimers.com has you covered. Here's our guide on how to live bet on Major League Baseball:

MORE: How to bet on MLB

Placing your bet

Often you will be able to locate a live game through one of two ways; via a Bet Live section on your online sportsbook and/or betting app, or by clicking through to the MLB category on the book’s site/app and locating the match from there. 

Remember, all live bets are time sensitive — if you’re not quick, you may miss out!

Our MLB Bet Hub has the best live odds and probabilities in the United States. When signing up to a sportsbook, use our exclusive promotional codes to access free and risk-free bets.

What live bets are available?

Live betting exposes you to many options usually unavailable to the average bettor. The usual wagering options are available during a pro baseball game, but there are added offerings once teams reach the mound:

Win Margin

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. 

All you’re doing here is picking which team to get the dub, and by how much. Mostly you will see options for 1,2,3 and 4+ runs. 

This is particularly interesting when one team breaks away — whether it be the favorite or dog — will you hold your nerve and back the loser, or back the hot team to push on to victory. 

Total Hits

Another bet type you don’t need that medical degree for! 

Here we are generally choosing the over/under. It can be total hits for one particular team or total hits combined in the match. 

For context, the average hits per MLB team in 2020, was 8.04 — the lowest since 1968! 

This is how it will look on Dimers.com:

Yankees O/U 7.5 hits

Red Sox O/U 7.5 hits

Runs in Next Half Inning 

On most sportsbooks you can once again choose options of 1,2,3,4+ but be mindful that some books do offer alternatives. 

Sometimes you will also see over/under options for runs in half/full inning. Don’t worry, they generally are half numbers; 1.5, 2.5 and so on, to avoid a push. 

Race to Specific Runs 

Again pretty simple. Think a team is a slow starter? Maybe bet against them in the race to a specific number. There can be great value in this bet if you can assess which teams are fast and slow starters respectively. 

Outcome of Next At Bat

If you’re looking to really ramp up the excitement, betting on the at bat outcome is your go-to. The larger sportsbooks tend to offer these more than their boutique rivals. You won’t have to worry, as all of Dimers’ sportsbooks have this capability. 

There are many outcomes to choose from, let’s break them down:

• Home run 
• Single 
• Double/Triple 
• Strikeout
• Walk
• Hit by pitch
• Ground out
• Fly-ball out

At Bat Hit 

Here you choose whether the batter will hit the ball or not, generally in a yes or no bet. In 2020, the hits at bats average league wide was .245%

Naturally, as a team gets down the order — toward the 6-9th players — the odds for a hit will decrease significantly. 

The ideal is to find a capable hitter who has decent odds, usually this is somewhere in the middle of the order.

Total Pitches Thrown in Next Half Inning 

This is another type of total (over/under) bet. Here, you pick whether a pitcher will throw over or under the number provided by the sportsbook. 

Elite-level pitchers will finish half-innings within the 11-14 mark. A key here is to pick a pitcher who can position the ball precisely within the strike zone.

Strikeouts in Next Half Inning 

There are two variables to this bet; the pitcher and the batters who step to the plate. 

Make sure to keep an eye on who is batting and the strengths/weaknesses of the pitcher. For example, a high-level fastball always causes issues for the less-experienced batters down the bottom of a lineup.

With more options available to bettors, there is greater opportunity for you to find real value. Deep thought isn’t as readily applied to live odds, so if you can be quick, you could be lucky!

Friendly reminder: Every MLB matchup on Dimers has live spread and moneyline probabilities. What’s more we provide you with odds from the most trusted sportsbooks in your state.

Shifting odds  

MLB odds can change within a game, particularly when a team gets hot or if a pitcher is out. Odds change based on the scoreline, momentum, and injuries, amongst other things. 

This can be hard to keep up with and that’s why we recommend you monitor Dimers’ live in-play probabilities during the game, and before you place any bet. 

Our live technology — updating every 30 seconds — gives you real-time probabilities for betting the spread, total (over/under) and moneyline. 

The live matchup and probabilities of any MLB game can be accessed through the scoreboards at the top of the Dimers website, the Live Now section and even the MLB section in Bet Hub.

MORE: How to use Dimers Bet Hub

Variables 

As mentioned, there are many factors which influence a quick change in odds during an MLB game. It is nice to consider some of these variables before placing your bets. 

Example:

• Injuries (Key players coming out can affect moneyline/spread particularly)
  
• Momentum
• Key player form 
• Home/Away factor
  
• Rest (Is a team playing after limited rest?)
• Rivalries (New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox / Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets)
  

These aspects should be kept in mind when live betting on MLB, and if used alongside our live probability calculator, you’re a chance to gain a leg up on your sportsbook.

MLB live betting represents one of the best ways to capitalize on great odds sportsbooks may have slept on. Give it a try whilst using Dimers’ in-play probabilities and best odds — via our MLB Bet Hub— to give you the best opportunity at winning your pro baseball picks!