What does Run Line mean in Baseball? Run Line Betting Explained

In Major League Baseball, betting on the run line is a type of spread betting designed for a lower-scoring sport. The run line typically sets a fixed spread of 1.5 runs between the favorite and the underdog. In today’s post, your friends at MyTopSportsbooks are here to help you understand how to approach run line bets with a solid strategy. To win a run line bet on the favorite, that team must win by two or more runs. If you’re betting on the underdog, they can either win the game outright or lose by just one run for your bet to cash.

Similarities between Moneyline and MLB Run Line

Run line betting is similar to moneyline betting in that you’re still picking a team to win. However, the run line in MLB is more like a point spread, similar to what you see in NFL betting — the most popular format in football wagering. In baseball, the standard run line is set at 1.5 runs, with favorites listed at -1.5 and underdogs at +1.5. This line rarely changes, but there are exceptions. Some sportsbooks offer alternate run lines at 2.5 or even 3.5 runs, with adjusted odds to reflect the added risk or advantage.

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A Baseball Run Line Example

New York Yankees, -1.5, -120 @ Toronto Blue Jays, +1.5, +150

In this hypothetical example, the Yankees would be the favorites at -1.5. To win a bet on New York, they’d need to beat the Blue Jays by two or more runs. On the other hand, if you bet on the underdog Blue Jays at +1.5, your bet wins as long as Toronto either wins the game outright or loses by exactly one run — since the spread gives them a 1.5-run advantage.

Baseball Run Line Betting Strategy

Run-line betting on MLB games isn’t as easy as it looks. Many sports bettors often default to betting on the favorite because they think they know that the favorite will win by two or more runs. Not to mention, there is a more significant payout based on higher odds of the favorite winning by more than two runs.

In the 2024 MLB season, 28% of games were settled by a one-run margin. This is much higher than you might expect. The high frequency of one-run games makes it difficult to determine which team will cover on the run line and which team won’t cover.

What the squares – casual bettors – don’t account for is the disadvantage a home-team favorite faces. The home team favorite must win by two runs, which isn’t an automatic result just because they are the favorite. In baseball, if the home team is ahead in the bottom of the ninth inning, they don’t take their last at-bat, as the game is won based on the completion of the number of innings played. This leads to many one-run victories, and the favorites often lose because of the quirk in the rules. The home team gets one less at-bat to build a winning score that is a single run when all is said and done.

To avoid unnecessary losses, a sports bettor is wise to stay away from the home team favorite and laying 1.5 runs. For a long-term strategy to provide consistent profits, bet like the sharps and take the underdog and the +1.5 on the run line. Sometimes you can get even money on the run line to place a value bet that turns into profit.

Moneyline vs the Run Line

In short, the run line is a baseball’s version of point spread betting where one team gets 1.5 runs while the other team spots the underdog 1.5 runs. The other common MLB bet is on the Moneyline for baseball games; let’s look at the differences between the two bets for baseball. The NHL has a version of the run line, and it is called the puck line and works the same way run line odds do. You can get promos from online sportsbooks like BetMGM, and Draftkings for a matchup on MLB or NBA games.

What is a Moneyline Bet on Baseball?

A Moneyline bet on MLB games is the easiest bet you can make. The hard part is picking a winner, and you have a 50-50 chance of doing so. On the Moneyline odds, at betting sites or apps, runs don’t matter; what does is the final score after nine innings or 8.5 innings if the home team is leading.

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The MLB odds are indicated by plus or minus signs, with plus signs indicating underdogs and minus signs indicating more favored team. As of July 2025, the Dodgers have odds of +175 for NLCS.

In another hypothetical example for the Moneyline, imagine the Toronto Blue Jays were +120, and the New York Yankees were -160. To win $100 betting on the Yankees, you must wager $160. If you win, you get your original bet of $160 plus the $100 for a total of $260. If you lose, you are out the initial bet of $160. If you take the underdog Blue Jays at +120 and win, you receive $120 plus the $100, and you’re up $220. The underdog bet is a risk, no doubt about it, but under the right circumstances, value can be evident.

What are Alternate Run Lines?

If you don’t like what the run line is serving up and you want better odds, most sportsbooks have alternate lines for sports bettors who want more say in the betting odds, and the odds will shift accordingly. It works a little like a teaser bet; you tease the run line up as high as you feel comfortable.

With a higher risk – giving up more runs – come higher rewards in the form of bigger payouts on wins. Oddsmakers will price your risk according to what the margin of victory will be based on handicapping alternative run lines. If you choose to take Colorado Rockies over the Washington Nationals at -3.5, that sports bet is yours to make.

Frequently Asked Questions

MLB Run Line Faqs

What does +1.5 mean on the run line?

In baseball betting, a run line is a spread of 1.5 runs that the favorite team must win by in order to cover the spread and the underdog team must lose by less than 2 runs to cover the spread. When you see “+1.5” on the run line, it means that the underdog team is being given a 1.5-run head start. So, if the underdog team loses by only 1 run or wins the game outright, they would cover the spread of +1.5. On the other hand, if the favorite team wins by 2 runs or more, they would cover the spread of -1.5.

What does 0.5 run line mean?

In baseball, a 0.5 run line means the favorite must win by at least one run for your bet to win. Since there’s no such thing as half a run in an actual game, there’s no chance of a push — the bet either wins or loses. This type of line is sometimes offered in alternative run line markets or first five innings bets, especially when the matchup is closely contested or sportsbooks want to offer tighter spreads.

What does a 0.0 run line mean?

In baseball, the run line is a type of point spread where one team is given a certain number of runs as a handicap. A 0.0 run line means that neither team is given a handicap and the game is considered a pick ’em, meaning both teams have an equal chance of winning. In this case, you would simply bet on which team you think will win the game outright.

What does a negative run line mean?

In baseball, the run line is a type of spread bet where a team must win by a certain number of runs. A negative run line means that the favored team is expected to win by more than the set spread. For example, if the run line is -1.5, the favored team would need to win by at least two runs for the bettor to win their wager. Conversely, a positive run line means that the underdog team is expected to lose by less than the spread or to win outright. It’s important to note that run lines are not always available for all games and may vary depending on the sportsbook.

How do you win a run-line bet?

Winning a run-line bet in baseball typically means your chosen team must win by at least two runs. To increase your chances of a successful bet, familiarize yourself with the performance history of each team and their starting pitchers. Look into aspects such as team records, player statistics, home/away win percentages, and injury reports. Additionally, make sure to keep an eye on weather conditions, as they can significantly affect game outcomes. Lastly, consider placing bets with a trusted and reputable sportsbook and practice responsible gambling habits to ensure a successful and enjoyable betting experience.

What does the run line mean in baseball betting?

The run line is a popular betting option in baseball, similar to point spread betting in other sports. It involves placing a bet on a team to win by a certain number of runs (usually 1.5) or to lose by less than that amount. For example, if the run line for a game is -1.5 for the favored team, they must win by at least two runs for a bet on them to be successful. Conversely, if the run line for the underdog team is +1.5, they can lose by no more than one run for a bet on them to win. The run line can be a more attractive option for bettors who want to take advantage of better odds for the favored team or to increase potential payouts for betting on the underdog.

Should I bet baseball run lines or moneylines?

When deciding between baseball run lines and moneylines, it ultimately depends on your personal betting strategy and the specific game you are placing a bet on.

A run line bet is when a team must win by two or more runs, while a moneyline bet is simply betting on the team to win the game outright. If you believe a team is likely to win by more than one run, then a run line bet may be a good option. However, if you think it will be a close game or are unsure of the margin of victory, a moneyline bet may be the safer choice.

You should also take into account the odds and potential payout for each type of bet. Moneyline bets may offer lower odds, but the payout may be higher if the underdog team wins outright. Run line bets may offer higher odds, but the payout may not be as significant due to the point spread.

In the end, it is important to do your research and make an informed decision based on your own betting strategy, as well as the current odds and conditions of the game.

Does the run line include extra innings in baseball?

Yes, the run line in baseball includes extra innings. The run line is a type of betting option where a team must either win by a certain number of runs or not lose by that many. This includes all innings played, including extra innings if the game is tied at the end of nine innings. So, it’s important to consider the possibility of extra innings when placing a bet on the run line.

How do you read the run line odds?

Reading the run line odds can be a bit confusing, but it’s fairly simple once you get the hang of it. In baseball, the run line is essentially a spread that’s used to level the playing field between two teams. Here’s how to read the odds:

– The run line is typically set at +/- 1.5 runs. This means that the favorite team will need to win by at least 2 runs to cover the run line, while the underdog team can either win outright or lose by no more than 1 run to cover the run line.

– The odds will be displayed as a plus or minus number next to the team name. For example, if the Yankees are listed as -1.5, it means they are the favorite team and must win by 2 or more runs to cover the run line. If the Red Sox are listed as +1.5, it means they are the underdog team and can lose by no more than 1 run to cover the run line.

– The odds will also be accompanied by a moneyline, which indicates the overall odds for that team to win the game outright. For example, if the Yankees are listed at -150 on the moneyline, it means you would need to bet $150 to win $100, while if the Red Sox are listed at +120, it means you would win $120 for every $100 you bet.

Overall, understanding run line odds is important if you want to make informed bets on baseball games. However, it’s important to remember that there is no surefire way to win consistently, and you should always bet responsibly.

Can betting the run line be profitable?

Betting the run line can certainly be profitable, but it also comes with its risks. The run line is a popular betting option in baseball, where a team must win by two or more runs to cover the spread. This can often lead to higher payouts than traditional moneyline bets, but it also means that the margin of victory must be considered. Additionally, some teams may perform better or worse on the run line than they do in traditional moneyline bets. As with any form of sports betting, it’s important to do your research, analyze the teams and their performance, and make informed decisions when placing your bets on the run line.