The first game of the World Series is approaching on the horizon like an Ohtani fastball! Beginning October 24th, two MLB teams will compete in a packed World Series for the title of best in the sport. As I’m writing this, we still don’t know which two teams will make it through. Things are incredibly tight with the American League Division Series and National League Division Series match ups currently tied.
When you first start considering placing a bet on the MLB World Series, the sheer volume of statistics can make it utterly overwhelming. There’s so much to think about, with pitcher and batter matchups, form, fitness and even the weather affecting the odds. That’s before you even get to understanding how odds work, the different types of bets you can place and where to do so!
Before you find yourself frozen on home plate, let me walk you through the basic things to consider before you place a bet on the MLB World Series.
Get To Know The Stats
I think baseball probably has the most stats to consider of just about any sport you can bet on! Don’t let that put you off though, as once you get familiar with the basics, they can be very interesting to analyze.
For hitters, you should look at the batting average, home runs number and stolen bases, whereas for pitchers, you want to check out the earned run average (ERA), walks per inning pitched (WHIP) and strikeouts. Wins above replacement, which looks at the involvement a specific player has on a game compared to that of their available replacement, is a stat to consider for all players.
What Do You Do When You Have Your Stats Down?
Once you get a basic understanding of the stats, you can start to dive in deeper and begin comparing them across teams. I think reading through the standard stats on the MLB site is a pretty good place to start before you start betting on baseball.
Try to directly compare the stats between the two teams playing in the World Series and look particularly at the matchup between the starting pitcher and batters. If I see that a pitcher is in top form, with lots of strikeouts and a low WHIP, and they’re playing a team with a low ERA, then I’ll consider a prop bet on something like the pitcher getting 10 or more strikeouts. It’s unlikely to be that clear cut in the World Series, as both teams will be top tier, but the stats can still tell you a lot!
Understand The Different Types Of Bets
If you had no idea what I meant when I mentioned a prop bet, then it’s probably a good idea for you to get familiar with the different types of bets on the market. It can all be a little confusing when you first hear the different terms, as there are a lot of words to remember, so let me help you get up to speed.
Why Do The Odds Look Strange?
Odds here in the US look a little different compared to other areas of the world and it’s not uncommon to be a bit confused as a rookie bettor. Our odds are displayed -2 (-100), where the -2 represents the projected point difference between the two teams playing and the second represents the price.
Let’s say that the Dodgers and the Blue Jays make it through to the World Series, and you think the Jays will win the first game by two runs, then it would be represented -2. Although it is a minus, which is a little strange, it indicates you favor the Jays to win. The -100 means that you’ll have to spend $10 to have a chance of winning a $10 payout.
Keep It Simple With Moneyline Bets
If you want to avoid thinking about numbers all together, then a moneyline bet is a solid option for you as it is a wager on the overall outcome of a game. The only real analysis that goes into it is determining who you think will win.
If you think the Blue Jays will clinch the overall series win, then you could place a moneyline of them doing so. If they’re -200 favorites, then you’ll have to spend $20 to have a chance of winning $10.
Ready For Something A Little More Complicated?
Prop bets are very similar to moneylines, but instead of betting on the overall results, you wager on events. If you think Guerrero Jr. will hit a homer in a match against the Yankees, then you could put a prop bet on him doing just that. Usually, prop bets are formatted as a question, like: ‘Will Guerrero hit a homer against the Yankees?’, which you answer with yes or no depending on what you think. You can place a prop bet on pretty much anything in the MLB, ranging from shutouts and strikeouts to homeruns and even hitting a pigeon!
The World Of Numbers: Spread And Total Bets
If you’re someone who loves crunching numbers, then placing either a spread or a total bet on the MLB World Series could be your best option. With spread bets, you need to look at what you think the winning margin will be between two teams in a match. If you think the Dodgers are going to run away with it and win the opening match by 5 runs, then your bet would be displayed as -5.
Total bets are just as the name implies as they are bets on how many runs you think the two teams will score combined. If you think it will be a homer fest between the Yankees and Blue Jays, then you could predict that they’ll hit a combined total of 20 runs. If the teams meet or surpass that total, then you’ll win! You can also place extended total bets, such as how many strikeouts or runs you think there will be in total throughout the World Series.
Give Me More! – Parlays
If you’ve read all that and are sitting thinking to yourself: ‘It just isn’t complicated enough!’, then I’ve got the thing for you in parlays. Parlays combine bets together, including different types, for a sort of combination bet. The separate elements are called legs, and they all need to win for you to bag any return.
Going back to the potential World Series matchup of the Dodgers and Blue Jays, let’s say you think Ohtani will pitch eight strikeouts, Guerrero Jr. will hit a homer against him and the Blue Jays will win overall, then you can combine all those together for a parlay. There’s more that needs to go right for you to win a parlay, which is why they can provide greater returns.
Picking The Right Sportsbook
When you want to place a bet on the World Series, you’ll have to first determine which sportsbook is the right option for you. There’s a lot to consider, including the odds, bonuses, customer support and payment methods available, so you might also want to think about using a comparison site to do all the hard work for you!
There’s so much to consider that it can be extremely frustrating when you find a great option, just to learn that it’s restricted in your state! That’s why I tend to use social sportsbooks where you use currencies like stake cash or gold coins, rather than cash. They mean that I can get in on the MLB action from wherever I am. To make my life that little bit easier, I use the leading comparison site SweepsChaser to find the very best options out there. They compare options over everything important to players, like odds, bonuses, user experience and security, to ensure that I’m choosing from the cream of the crop.
Make Sure They Take Safety Seriously
I think the most important thing to remember when you first get into sports betting is to know your limits and stick to them. Responsible gambling tools are not just for players who have a problem, they’re there to help everyone control their activity, which is why you should only ever choose a sportsbook that offers a good range of tools.
Look for a responsible gambling center that offers educational materials on how to spot signs of problem gambling or questionnaires to evaluate your relationship. In addition, they should provide deposit and session limit tools to help you control your behavior, and resources like helplines for support.
What Should You Think About Before MLB Betting?
There’s a lot to think about before you begin betting on the MLB World Series! It’s never a good idea to go into a bet blind, so make sure you do your research. I would recommend looking at how the two teams match up in terms of stats so you can identify whether a total or spread bet could be a good bet. You’ll also need to think about the type of bet you want to place, whether that is a parlay, a moneyline or a prop.
Last but not least, consider which sportsbook you’ll place your bet at by considering their odds, customer service and bonuses. If you want to avoid the hassle and focus solely on the baseball, use a comparison site to make your life that little bit easier. I’ll leave you with the most important message to remember: when picking a sportsbook, check that they have your back and take your safety seriously. Happy betting!