This MLB betting guide explains how to bet on season win totals. You’ll also learn what win total odds mean and how to place a MLB season win total bet. After that, place a Major League baseball win total bet at one of our trusted sports betting sites, all of which are licensed and legal in their respective state or jurisdiction.
SportsBetting3.com regularly updates MLB win total odds prior to the start of the season. Remember to place your win total bets before Opening Day in late March. Be sure to bookmark this page for future reference.
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Table of Contents
- What are MLB Win Totals?
- Win Total Example
- How to Bet
- MLB Win Total Odds
- MLB Standings
- When to Bet
- MLB Win Totals FAQs
What are MLB Win Totals?
A win total bet is placed on the line a sportsbook assigns indicating the number of games a team will win during the season. The sportsbook will offer odds for betting over or under the line. Season win total bets must be placed prior to the MLB’s Opening Day. Like other season specials, the season win total is a part prop, part future hybrid. It functions like an over-under total bet, where you decide whether to bet over or under the sportsbook’s line.
Win Totals vs Futures
Knowledgeable sports bettors prefer season win totals to futures bets. Betting a MLB win total offers more room for error compared to a futures bet on a team to win the World Series, AL Pennant, or NL Pennant. While the futures bet depends on the result of a specific event, the win total requires much less precision. If you think a team will win more games than the sportsbook’s line, bet over. If you think a team will win fewer, bet under. How and when the team’s win tally goes over or under the win total line doesn’t matter.
Why Bet Win Totals
Most importantly, the win total offers bettors the ability to take either side of the win total line. This offers bettors more flexibility for placing a winning bet following the results of their MLB season handicapping.
Even if you don’t bet season win totals, the total lines can offer you some insight into the how the sportsbook thinks the season will unfold. Since sportsbooks want to balance action on both sides of a line, the win total opening line is essentially a projection about the middle, or median, possible number of wins. Because the win totals contain half game increments, you must therefore decide whether to bet over or under the line.
Win total odds will change as bets are placed. Substantial action to one side of the line may cause the sportsbook to shift the line itself.
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How MLB Win Total Bets Win or Lose
Your win total bet wins if you select the correct outcome. If you bet over and a team wins more games than the sportsbook’s line, you win. If you bet under and a team wins fewer games than the sportsbook’s line, you win. On the other hand, if you bet under and a team wins more games than the sportsbook’s line, you lose. The bet functions like an over-under total bet.
What MLB Win Total Odds Mean
Each side of the win total line – over or under – will have moneyline odds at American sportsbooks.
The most likely, or favorite outcome, will have a minus value. The minus value indicates how much you risk to win $100. -115 odds on the over means you risk $115 to win $100.
The less likely, or underdog outcome, will have a plus value. +130 odds on the under means you risk $100 to win $130.
Occasionally, you’ll see a minus value equal to the odds for the opposite side, for example -115 for both the over and under. In either case you’d risk $115 to win $100.
Less commonly, there may be a minus value smaller than the odds for the opposite side, for example -110 for the under and -105 for the over. In this case you’d risk $110 to win $100 on the under and $105 to win $100 on the over.
Note that the over isn’t always the more expensive side, just as the under may not always be the less likely side. Betting action will determine the odds values while the season win total is open.
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How MLB Season Win Totals are Graded
The sportsbook will grade the MLB win total bet when the team’s record determines a result.
When the team has won more games than the total line, the over wins. The sportsbook will payout all over bettors. The over could pay the day the team wins more games than the win total line, or it might be as late as the last game of the season. This could happen if the team is within one game of going over heading into the final days of the regular season.
Grading the under is different. The under could pay at the end of the season based on the team’s overall record. Or the under could pay when it would be impossible for the team to win enough games to go over the win total line.
For example, suppose a team has a 94.5 game win total line. The under pays if they win 94 or fewer games. After losing a game on July 31st, the team has a 41-68 record. If the team wins all 53 of its remaining games (162 total – [41+68] played), it would finish with a 94-68 record (41 +53 = 94 wins to 68 losses). Since winning all remaining games wouldn’t be enough to go over the win total line, all under bets would win before the season ends.
When Do MLB Win Totals Come Out?
MLB win total lines and odds typically come out after the league announces the next regular season schedule. Win total lines are usually posted by early February at the very latest.
MLB Season Win Total Bet Example
The following 87.5 game u -115/o -115 season win total example is for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Win Total | Line & Odds |
---|---|
Phillies
Season Win Total |
87.5 u -115
87.5 o -115
|
Sizing Up the Odds
The Phillies’ win total line is 87.5 games. Under 87.5 games has -115 odds. Over 87.5 games has -115 odds.
Since the odds for both sides are the same, neither the over nor the under are the more likely outcome. The risk and win amounts for either side are the same.
Under bettors risk $115 to win $100. If the Phillies finish with 87 or fewer wins, under bettors would win.
Over bettors risk $115 to win $100. If the Phillies finish with 88 or more wins, over bettors would win.
Less commonly, some teams will have an integer value line, like 90 games. The under wins if the team wins 89 or fewer games. The over wins if the team wins 91 or more games. The bet ties or pushes if the team wins exactly 90 games. In the event of a push, your wager will be refunded.
Betting 2 or More Teams
You may place bets on two or more teams. In fact, this is a good way to manage risk and potentially increase your profit.
Carefully shop win total lines, looking for those that don’t match your expectations for the upcoming season. Ideally, you’re looking for an unexpectedly high win total line with favorable under odds. Or conversely, a low win total line with favorable over odds.
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How to Bet MLB Win Totals
Time needed: 2 minutes
How to place a MLB Win Total Bet
- Review each team’s win total line and odds
Review each team’s win total line and odds for over and under. Odds will change as the MLB’s Opening Day approaches.
- Each outcome has moneyline odds
Each outcome will have moneyline odds at American sports betting sites. Minus values indicate how much you risk to win $100. Plus values indicate how much you win if you risk $100.
- Select over or under and place your bet
Decide whether the team’s season win total will be greater or less than the win total line. Bet over if you think the team will win more games. Bet under if you think the team will win fewer games.
- You may place win total bets on multiple teams
Feel free to bet on multiple teams if the win total line and odds are favorable.
- Your bet wins if you picked the correct outcome
Your bet wins if you picked the correct outcome. If you bet the over and the team wins more games than the win total line, you win. If you bet the under and the team wins fewer games than the win total line, you win.
MLB Win Total Odds
BetMGM Bet |
|
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Diamondbacks
2025 Season Win Total | |
Braves
2025 Season Win Total | |
Orioles
2025 Season Win Total | |
Red Sox
2025 Season Win Total | |
Cubs
2025 Season Win Total | |
White Sox
2025 Season Win Total | |
Reds
2025 Season Win Total | |
Guardians
2025 Season Win Total | |
Rockies
2025 Season Win Total | |
Tigers
2025 Season Win Total | |
Astros
2025 Season Win Total | |
Royals
2025 Season Win Total | |
Angels
2025 Season Win Total | |
Dodgers
2025 Season Win Total | |
Marlins
2025 Season Win Total | |
Brewers
2025 Season Win Total | |
Twins
2025 Season Win Total | |
Mets
2025 Season Win Total | |
Yankees
2025 Season Win Total | |
Athletics
2025 Season Win Total | |
Phillies
2025 Season Win Total | |
Pirates
2025 Season Win Total | |
Padres
2025 Season Win Total | |
Giants
2025 Season Win Total | |
Mariners
2025 Season Win Total | |
Cardinals
2025 Season Win Total | |
Rays
2025 Season Win Total | |
Rangers
2025 Season Win Total | |
Blue Jays
2025 Season Win Total | |
Nationals
2025 Season Win Total |
We also have helpful previews featuring win total odds and write-ups for the American and National Leagues. Learn how to bet American League win totals and National League win totals, and see which teams are top contenders for the upcoming season:
- American League Win Totals – Regular season win totals for every American League team. Learn how to bet win totals.
- National League Win Totals – Regular season win totals for every National League team. Learn how to bet win totals.
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MLB Standings
Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Away | RS | RA | Diff | Strk | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
* - Los Angeles Dodgers | 98 | 64 | 0.605 | 0.0 | 52-29 | 46-35 | 842 | 686 | +156 | W5 | 8-2 |
x - Philadelphia Phillies | 95 | 67 | 0.586 | +3.0 | 54-27 | 41-40 | 784 | 671 | +113 | W1 | 4-6 |
* - New York Yankees | 94 | 68 | 0.580 | +4.0 | 44-37 | 50-31 | 815 | 668 | +147 | W1 | 5-5 |
x - Milwaukee Brewers | 93 | 69 | 0.574 | +5.0 | 47-34 | 46-35 | 777 | 641 | +136 | L1 | 5-5 |
y - San Diego Padres | 93 | 69 | 0.574 | +5.0 | 45-36 | 48-33 | 760 | 669 | +91 | L1 | 7-3 |
x - Cleveland Guardians | 92 | 69 | 0.571 | +5.5 | 50-30 | 42-39 | 708 | 621 | +87 | L2 | 5-5 |
y - Baltimore Orioles | 91 | 71 | 0.562 | +7.0 | 44-37 | 47-34 | 786 | 699 | +87 | W3 | 7-3 |
e - Arizona Diamondbacks | 89 | 73 | 0.549 | +9.0 | 44-37 | 45-36 | 886 | 788 | +98 | W1 | 5-5 |
y - Atlanta Braves | 89 | 73 | 0.549 | +9.0 | 46-35 | 43-38 | 704 | 607 | +97 | W1 | 7-3 |
y - New York Mets | 89 | 73 | 0.549 | +9.0 | 46-35 | 43-38 | 768 | 697 | +71 | L1 | 5-5 |
x - Houston Astros | 88 | 73 | 0.547 | +9.5 | 46-35 | 42-38 | 740 | 649 | +91 | W2 | 6-4 |
y - Detroit Tigers | 86 | 76 | 0.531 | +12.0 | 43-38 | 43-38 | 682 | 642 | +40 | L2 | 7-3 |
y - Kansas City Royals | 86 | 76 | 0.531 | +12.0 | 45-36 | 41-40 | 735 | 644 | +91 | W1 | 4-6 |
e - Seattle Mariners | 85 | 77 | 0.525 | +13.0 | 49-32 | 36-45 | 676 | 607 | +69 | W4 | 8-2 |
e - Chicago Cubs | 83 | 79 | 0.512 | +15.0 | 44-37 | 39-42 | 736 | 669 | +67 | L1 | 6-4 |
e - St. Louis Cardinals | 83 | 79 | 0.512 | +15.0 | 44-37 | 39-42 | 672 | 719 | -47 | W1 | 6-4 |
e - Minnesota Twins | 82 | 80 | 0.506 | +16.0 | 43-38 | 39-42 | 742 | 735 | +7 | L4 | 2-8 |
e - Boston Red Sox | 81 | 81 | 0.500 | +17.0 | 38-43 | 43-38 | 751 | 747 | +4 | W1 | 5-5 |
e - San Francisco Giants | 80 | 82 | 0.494 | +18.0 | 42-39 | 38-43 | 693 | 699 | -6 | L1 | 6-4 |
e - Tampa Bay Rays | 80 | 82 | 0.494 | +18.0 | 42-39 | 38-43 | 604 | 663 | -59 | L1 | 6-4 |
e - Texas Rangers | 78 | 84 | 0.481 | +20.0 | 44-37 | 34-47 | 683 | 738 | -55 | W3 | 5-5 |
e - Cincinnati Reds | 77 | 85 | 0.475 | +21.0 | 39-42 | 38-43 | 699 | 694 | +5 | W1 | 3-7 |
e - Pittsburgh Pirates | 76 | 86 | 0.469 | +22.0 | 39-42 | 37-44 | 665 | 739 | -74 | L1 | 5-5 |
e - Toronto Blue Jays | 74 | 88 | 0.457 | +24.0 | 39-42 | 35-46 | 671 | 743 | -72 | L3 | 2-8 |
e - Washington Nationals | 71 | 91 | 0.438 | +27.0 | 38-43 | 33-48 | 660 | 764 | -104 | L1 | 3-7 |
e - Oakland Athletics | 69 | 93 | 0.426 | +29.0 | 38-43 | 31-50 | 643 | 764 | -121 | L3 | 3-7 |
e - Los Angeles Angels | 63 | 99 | 0.389 | +35.0 | 32-49 | 31-50 | 635 | 797 | -162 | L6 | 1-9 |
e - Miami Marlins | 62 | 100 | 0.383 | +36.0 | 30-51 | 32-49 | 637 | 841 | -204 | W4 | 6-4 |
e - Colorado Rockies | 61 | 101 | 0.377 | +37.0 | 37-44 | 24-57 | 682 | 929 | -247 | L3 | 2-8 |
e - Chicago White Sox | 41 | 121 | 0.253 | +57.0 | 23-58 | 18-63 | 507 | 813 | -306 | W2 | 5-5 |
When to Bet MLB Win Totals
It’s important to time your win total bet properly, just like placing a MLB futures bet. If you bet over in late January, and then realize a star pitcher will be out for the season in March, there’s a good chance you’ll lose your wager. Similarly, if you bet under in January, and later discover a team will win more games than expected because their opponents have suffered injuries, it’s likely the under was a bad call.
It’s best to monitor the lines from January to March, placing a bet in mid to late March. The one exception would be an early bad line that you can jump on for an easy profit. Otherwise, don’t jump in without gathering as much information as possible first. Consider the following before placing a win total bet:
- Do I have good data to backup the bet I’m making? – Your handicapping should support the side of the line you take. Review the team’s recent performances, standings, and stats. Check on the health of key players. Note any coaching changes.
- What does the team’s schedule look like? – Besides the health of a team, their schedule is probably the most important factor influencing their prospective win total. Try to predict the outcome of each game, putting the result into one of three categories. One, a sure win; two, a sure loss; and three a toss-up. Count up the winners and see how close you get to the total. If you’re short a couple games, dig into the toss-ups to see which might go your way.
- Are key players healthy and will they remain in good health? – Though you can’t predict a player’s health far into the season, try to assess where their starting point on Opening Day. Monitor team news and injury reports heading into the first game. If any star hitters or pitchers are on the long-term disabled list, you’ll need to reassess your win total bet.
Moderate Your Risk
First, consider placing small bets on multiple teams. Pick no more than 2-3 teams with win total lines that offer a good return on investment.
Second, choose bet amounts equal to your certainty about a particular outcome. If you’re confident, bet more. If you’re not confident, bet less. Though season win totals are less risky than futures bets, there are a number of ways they can go wrong. Don’t overextend yourself before the MLB season begins. There will always be opportunities to place winning bets in the future.
MLB Win Total FAQs
A win total bet is placed on the line a sportsbook assigns indicating the number of games a team will win during the season. Bet over or under the sportsbook’s line. Season win total bets must be placed prior to the MLB’s Opening Day.
Minus values indicate how much you risk to win $100. The side with a minus value is considered the favorite, or more likely outcome. Plus values indicate how much you win if you risk $100. The side with a plus value is considered the underdog, or less likely outcome. Occasionally, both sides will have minus values, for example -110 for the over and -110 for the under. Risk $110 to win $100 in either case.
Your win total bet wins if you select the correct outcome. If you bet over and the team wins more games than the sportsbook’s line, you win. If you bet under and the team wins fewer games than the sportsbook’s line, you win. On the other hand, if you bet under and a team wins more games than the sportsbook’s line, you lose.
It’s important to time your win total bet properly, just like placing a MLB futures bet. If you bet over in late January, and then realize a star pitcher will be out for season in March, there’s a good chance you’ll lose your wager. Similarly, if you bet under in January, and later discover a team will win more games than expected because their opponents have suffered injuries, it’s likely the under was a bad call.
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MLB Betting Resources
- How to Bet on MLB Baseball – Learn how to bet on MLB baseball with moneylines, totals, and run lines, plus exotics like parlays, props, and futures.
- MLB Betting Sites – We’ve reviewed the best licensed and legal US sports betting sites where you can bet on MLB.
- MLB Odds – Moneylines, totals, and run lines for upcoming MLB matchups. Review odds to win the World Series, plus each league’s Pennant and Divisions.
- MLB Prop Bets – Learn how to bet on MLB prop bets, and then have a look at the latest prop bets from upcoming MLB matchups.
- MLB Underdogs – Review today’s MLB underdog betting opportunities, and our simple underdog betting system.
- MLB Win Total Odds – We explain what a MLB win total bet is, how to place the bet, and offer an example wager to illustrate how this simple wager works.
- MLB Futures Odds – Our tutorial explains how to bet MLB futures with a helpful example, plus the latest odds to win the World Series, American and National Leagues, each division, and MVP awards.
- Undefeated MLB Teams – See which teams are still undefeated in the current regular season.
- World Series Betting Odds – Odds to win the World Series combined with a helpful tutorial that explains how to bet on the Fall Classic with moneylines, totals, and run lines.
- MLB League MVP Odds – See which players are favored to win this season’s American and National League MVP awards.
- Best Way to Bet on MLB Baseball – This helpful tutorial filters out all the noise and sticks to the basics. Learn simple MLB handicapping strategies.
- When to Bet the Run Line vs the Moneyline – Learn when betting the run line offers more value than the moneyline. Know which moneyline values indicate the run line might be worth a look.
- MLB Team Betting Odds – Check out odds for each MLB team’s upcoming matchups, plus team futures, season specials, and team standings.