The 2021 MLB postseason is well underway, and just four teams remain. Even though the games are limited going forward, there are still plenty of ways to bet on the MLB playoffs and have some fun while doing it. Being smart about wagering money can help people end up on the positive side as well.
What are some of the best ways to place bets on the MLB playoffs? While everyone knows about some of the standard ways to put money on who will win, these options can spice things up a bit as well. It’s a bit more fun than just picking a team to win each night.
Table of Contents
Run Line
People coming over from other sports might not realize that there is no such thing as a spread in baseball. Instead, baseball gamblers need to get used to what is known as the bottom line. In this case, the run line is always put at 1.5, with the favorite getting the runs.
This puts a wrinkle into postseason play particularly, as many games can end up being very close. With that 1.5-run differential, the favorite needs to win by at least two runs to come through.
Sign up for a FREE Consultation to start working with Legendary Sports Bettor Jon Price
As close as postseason games can be, they can also get out of hand in a hurry. If a team feels like they are not going to come back in a certain contest, they might decide to save their best pitchers and throw someone else to finish the game. Thi sometimes lead to lopsided scores.
Over/Unders
Regular season over/unders in baseball are tricky enough, but the postseason can be even tougher. They tend to have lower-scoring games in the postseason, as it includes teams with quality pitching. Not only that, but teams are much more likely to pull the plug on someone who is not doing well. It is way too risky to let them go out there and figure things out on their own.
In the modern era of baseball, just paying attention to the starter is also not going to do that much good. Teams are not afraid to throw the starter only a few innings, turning it into a bullpen game after that. It’s just as important to pay attention to both teams and their bullpens, as well as who is fresh and who isn’t. This will put everything in the right perspective.
Player Props
Since there is only a game or two each night, player props are becoming more and more prevalent in the postseason. This is great for anyone wanting to put money on a particular player and see if they can strike it rich in that regard. It can sometimes be a big risk since there’s no telling what can happen in each new game. A struggling player can end up being a hero out of the blue.
What people need to keep in mind is that only betting on props is usually a losing proposition. It’s fun to do it every once in a while, but some of them can be pretty unpredictable. If anything does stand out like a no-brainer, jump on it, but some of them are pure guesses more than anything. They are fun, but getting too into prop bets can lead to big losses.
Futures
With just four teams remaining, the future odds won’t be as great as they would be with many more teams left in the hunt. However, if a team falls behind and it seems like they are getting worse odds to move on, it might be worth jumping on a future bet and seeing what happens.
Some people are holding on hope that the Atlanta Braves end up winning the World Series this year, as they are likely viewed as the biggest underdog story going into the Championship Series. Even though they were able to win their division, many believe they will not come out of the National League, let alone win the World Series. The odds were much longer for the Braves to win just a few months ago, but there are still some pretty decent options out there despite them playing so well in the postseason.
First Five Innings
Betting on the first five innings shortens the game up compared to a regular bet in baseball. This used to be mostly a focus on how the starting pitchers would do in the game, but as teams shorten everything up, there is still a chance that both are in the bullpens by the fifth inning.
In the postseason, a lot of scoring happens in the first few innings. If a team has a lead, they can hand it over to the bullpen and throw power arms that should be able to get the job done. It seems to become more and more difficult to score in the last few innings, which is why betting on the first five innings adds a new level of intrigue.
Live Betting
Since every game is so crucial, and they are often played with no other competition taking away eyeballs, a lot of people are going with live betting during the postseason. This is a way to follow along and jump in during lucrative times. It might pay off in a big way if the right moves are made.
Most people who bet live in baseball often feel like they know exactly what they need to do. If a person isn’t necessarily a baseball mind, they can still ride the wave and have some success. It’s a little bit easier to bet live in baseball than other sports, since the pace of play isn’t as fast. For example, by the time someone places a wager in the NBA, a team might score a few baskets. That’s not likely not going to happen in baseball.
As touched on before, keep in mind that it is very hard to score in the later innings with so many matchup focus in baseball. Teams micromanage as much as possible so that they are putting their best pitchers against the best hitters. When that happens, pitchers often come out as the successful side.
Making Baseball Creative and Fun When It Matters Most
This is the time of the year when even casual baseball fans are watching more often than ever. Get involved as much as possible by taking control of new and creative betting options. It might just be something that carries into the 2022 MLB regular season.