JUMP TO:
- What makes spring training betting so unpredictable
- When it might actually make sense to bet on preseason games
- Smart strategies and factors to watch before placing a bet
- Why spring training is better for learning than winning
Diehard baseball fans often become successful MLB bettors, but fandom doesn't exactly translate to betting wisdom overnight. One important thing to know about betting of any kind is value and timing, or knowing what and when to bet.
Spring training will never be a good time to bet on MLB games. You might be better off investing in your uncle's meme coin.
Keep reading to learn why new bettors should generally avoid preseason baseball betting, when exceptions might apply, and how you can use spring training to your long-term benefit.
MORE: Complete guide to betting on MLB
What makes spring training betting so unpredictable
Spring training is a time for MLB managers to try out new lineups, stick players at different positions and fiddle with the batting order. There's zero incentive for any team in the bigs to have a winning preseason, so it's basically a time to kick the rust off and see what might work during the season.
For these reasons, betting on preseason can be quite volatile. You never want to bet on a game in which none of the players or coaches really care who wins. You also don't want to bet on games that are difficult to project or predict. How many innings will the veterans play? Will the starter even go three innings? If these questions are fuzzy, the game isn't buzzy.
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When it might actually make sense to bet on preseason games
If a line is far lower than it should be — or a pitcher's projection seems like too much of a value to pass up — you might consider betting a preseason game. You might also jump at the opportunity to take the better pitcher of a matchup in which his team is listed as a bigger underdog than it probably should be.
All that said, it's still a big risk to bet on spring training games. And, unless you're targeting the under on a bloated over/under projection, you're probably making a mistake if you're considering putting serious money on an exhibition.
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Smart strategies and factors to watch before placing a bet
Limit your risk by conducting the research, the No. 1 way to find value and make smart bets. Monitor lineup news, injury reports, coaching trends and the latest split stats and advanced metrics. Follow the local beat writers to get the latest intel. Whatever you can do to gain an edge, do it.
You should be betting on lines and odds, not on players and teams. Don't get swept up by big names or hyped-up teams — follow the value. Bet with your head, not with your heart. You're making betting investments, not buying a player's jersey or a team's hat. Make this your side business!
MORE: Ultimate sports betting checklist to follow
Why spring training is better for learning than winning
While your friends deplete their bankrolls during spring training, sit back and just take in information and intel that will help you win during the regular season.
This is a fantastic opportunity to see which way the manager and coaching staff are leaning with starting lineups, pitching rotations and bullpens. It's also a good time to see which players might be strong breakout candidates during the season.
If you're paying attention in March and April, you will have a better breadth of knowledge for May through October. Seeing how players continue to evolve as impactful members of their team not only helps you project their player props throughout the season — it will also help you gauge how teams stack up against each other.
Preseason betting can also be a good time to test betting approaches with smaller, more insignificant bets. You're not trying to get rich at this time of year, so why not dabble with some new betting strategies and approaches when there's little to lose? You can teach yourself a lot about value when you're practicing with real-money bets, even on exhibition games.
MORE: The importance of line shopping in sports betting
Popular sportsbooks that may be available in your area
Even if sports betting is legal in your state, not all sportsbooks may be available to you. Here are some of the most popular options to look into: