Baseball is one of the most popular sports for betting in the United States of America, and it has been around for many years. Most casual fans know the basics of Las Vegas baseball odds, which include wagering on the winner of a particular game or the total number of runs scored, but baseball betting is much more than this.
Let’s take a look at some of the more exotic and interesting Las Vegas baseball odds out there to give readers a sense of how baseball betting can be so much more than just picking a team to win.
1. First Pitch Strikes
One of the most interesting markets in baseball betting is the one centered on the match’s first pitch. The first pitch can also be a bet subject, where the bettor needs to pick whether the pitch will be a ball or a strike. This market creates enthusiasm from the onset since the result arrives within the shortest time possible after the game has started.
Factors that can influence this bet include:
- The control of the starting pitcher and how he pitches during the first inning
- The reputation of the umpire’s strike zone
- The aggressiveness of the batter or the patience of the batter
It may sound like the luck of the draw, but there is a way for bettors to get the edge by looking at a pitcher’s first pitch and the current umpire’s strike zone.
2. No-Hitter and Perfect Games
For lovers of exotic bets that can yield very attractive returns, most sportsbooks offer options concerning no-hitters or perfect games.
No-hitters occur more frequently than perfect games, but both are rare events:
- As of 2023, there have been a total of 316 no-hitters in the history of MLB
- There have been only 23 perfect games played in the MLB history
These bets are usually a long shot, but they’re still within the realm of possibilities. Such factors as the pitcher’s form, the batsmen’s caliber, and even the weather could influence these outcomes.
3. Player vs. Player Matchups
Another interesting betting option is the one that is based on specific players and their performance within the game.
These bets involve direct disputes between two players, for example:
- Who will get more total bases?
- Which of two starting pitchers will have more strikeouts?
- Who will have more putouts, the first or the second outfielder?
These bets enable fans to bet on aspects such as individual player performances and not the results of the entire team. They entail extensive analysis of player statistics, current form, and past encounters.
4. First Team to Score X Runs
Instead of the overall scores, some markets are based on which team will be the first to get to a specific number of runs. The number of runs may typically be set at 3, 5, or 7. This market is a blend of the first to score and the over/under markets.
Factors to consider for this bet include:
- Team’s offensive capabilities
- The effectiveness of the starting pitcher in the first three innings
- Pen depth (for higher run thresholds)
5. Temperature at First Pitch
Some books have markets on the temperature during the first pitch for those who enjoy sports and weather. This can be especially useful for open-air stadiums in cities with fluctuating climates.
Factors to consider include:
- Local weather forecasts
- Stadium location and construction (some of them are more exposed to local climate than others)
- Environmental factors (for instance, night games are usually played in cooler temperatures)
6. Time of Game
Unlike football games, baseball games do not have a time limit, but they can be rather long. There are also over/under bets concerning the total amount of time the game lasts, from the first pitch to the last out.
Factors influencing game length include:
- Pitching changes
- Pitcher and batter time taken
- Extra innings
- Weather delays
Some bettors stated that MLB’s new rules to reduce game time, including the pitch clock implemented in 2023, have made this market even more interesting.
Baseball betting goes beyond just choosing the side that will win or lose the game, and this makes it an interesting market. These unconventional markets provide entertainment to the fans and the bettors, who have the opportunity to challenge themselves and earn money. This is especially the case in baseball, where from the first pitch to the last, there are plenty of unique bets to be had.
