The 2025 Major League Baseball season is in full swing with less than two months remaining. The season kicked off with a two-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs.
So far in betting, some things have changed to adapt to the new rules rolled out in January this year. Here are trends to watch out for when betting on non GamStop gambling sites during the remainder of the MLB 2025 season.
Umpire Trends
Baseball has an underdog wagering strategy that achieves an impeccable win-loss record. All you need to do is be attentive by monitoring and using umpire trends. Paying attention to the umpires helps you quickly identify teams that are consistently providing the best value. This is an overlooked factor that successful veteran handicappers take advantage of.
Being attentive is as simple as noticing some matchup stats, like the umpire in the first and second matchups. For example, in the 2019 season, most games with Barksdale behind the plate went under 58% of the time. Those officiated by Barrett went under 45% of the time. To capitalise on such umpire trends, it would make sense to go under in the first matchup instead of the second.
MLB umpires are also differentiated based on the difference in strike zones. Tight strike zones result in more walks and runs. However, flexible umpires lead to more strikes called on corners and fewer runs. The players are considered for the best baseball betting strategy, but also their tendencies and the state of the game.
Early Lines Movement
In the spirit of competition, some sportsbooks post betting lines way earlier than others. This way, they are offering good odds that you can take advantage of.
The Home Run Derby futures market has already experienced some significant changes. Raleigh opened at +630 and shortened to +275 as bettors backed the Seattle Mariners’ catcher, who has 38 home runs. James Wood’s odds have tightened, from +550 to +400 as tickets surged. The most dramatic shift in lines belongs to Rooker, who opened at +1200 and is not at +850.
Track Reverse Line Movement and First 5 Innings lines
It is always good to hop on the latest news. Things such as the starting pitcher in the next game or a key injury update are important information to have. Sportsbooks open these lines early enough to attract business by offering value to players based on unfolding events. Reverse line movement is a key indicator that most fans use to gain from early value lines.
Professional bettors always consider the first five innings lines of games like Mariners vs. Athletics before deciding on the possible outcome. This trick is simple to implement.
It allows you to wager on which team is ahead at the end of a complete five innings. Limiting your wager to the first five innings is by far the best wagering strategy for newbies, helping to keep bets simple and manageable. It’s also a smart way to practice responsible gambling by setting clear limits and avoiding long-game risks.
Cover the Spread
To ‘cover the spread,’ favourites must win by more points than the spread. On the other hand, underdogs must not lose by more points than indicated. The Athletics have the best home Cover of 68% in the MLB this season, as teams enjoy some extra at-bats.
Through the first 25 games played in the Athletics’ temporary MLB home stadium, there have been 276 runs scored. This averages out to around 11.04 runs scored per game. It will be unwise not to bet the Over at every Athletics “home” game.
The Rangers have failed to give their fans high-scoring games so far. They have hit the Under in 21 of their first 27 home games this season. Home runs have been hard to come by at Globe Life Field because of the few longballs in their games. The Pittsburgh Pirates have the best Under at 64% averaging just 3.3 runs per game.
Making money with baseball games starts with line shopping for the best odds and keeping up with unfolding trends of the season. It’s important to compare multiple sportsbooks before placing a bet, as even a slight difference in odds can impact your long-term profits. Staying informed about injuries, starting pitchers, and team momentum also gives you an edge. Finding good value with certain platforms can make a huge difference in padding your bankroll, especially when you take advantage of bonuses, promos, and reduced juice lines.
