MLB Betting Odds — Run Lines, Moneylines & Totals
MLB run lines, moneylines & totals — how they work
In baseball the spread is the run line, and it's fixed at exactly 1.5 runs. The favorite is always -1.5; the underdog is always +1.5. Unlike football, the number doesn't move — the price does. Bet a favorite -1.5 and they must win by 2+. Take a dog +1.5 and they can lose by one or win outright. Because roughly a quarter of MLB games are decided by a single run, run-line favorites often pay near even money.
Three markets dominate every slate:
- Run line (the MLB spread): -1.5 / +1.5, fixed number, moving price.
- Moneyline: straight up who wins. Heavy pitching favorites can sit at -200 or higher.
- Total (over/under): combined runs, usually 6.5–10.5 depending on pitchers, park and weather.
Why MLB lines move
Starting-pitcher confirmations, weather (wind at Wrigley, heat, rain), bullpen fatigue, and sharp money all move the price. Watch tickets vs money on every game on our public betting chart, and lock the best number with line shopping. Tracking closing line value is the single best predictor of long-term results.
New to it? Start with reading odds and our public betting guide.