MLB Betting Sites

Baseball bettors have a huge opportunity to cash in on the Major League Baseball (MLB) odds that arrived with a surge of new sportsbooks. DraftKings, Fanduel and BetMGM are all among the new private sportsbooks to come to Canada, which means a new supply of top-quality apps and MLB odds available.

It’s a significant upgrade from parlay-only, provincially run sportsbooks and it’s sure to boost betting on the Jays. Below, find everything you need to know to bet on MLB games in Canada, including live odds for today’s games, top Canadians in MLB and more.

How to bet on baseball online in Canada

Before anyone can place single-game bets on MLB in Canada, the first step is registering for a Canadian online sportsbook account. You can do this on your laptop or phone in a matter of minutes. Take these steps:

• Click on one of our links to be redirected to the registration page for the sportsbook of your choice.
• Fill out all required information (email, address, upload photo ID) to create your new account. This takes just a few moments and will activate your welcome bonus.
• Deposit into your new sportsbooks account. If you’re due to receive a deposit match bonus, this will be reflected in your balance.
• Once your account has been filled, both your balance and any funds claimed from your signup bonus can be used as you begin placing bets.

If you have not done so during the signup process, be sure to download the application for your sportsbook. This will provide easy access to all the baseball markets on offer.

Best MLB sports betting apps

There are several Canadian online sportsbooks apps that offer MLB betting online, but some sites provide a better user experience for the baseball bettor than others. Here are the top private online sportsbooks where you can expect to find the best MLB odds.

DraftKings Sportsbook app for MLB

In 2021, DraftKings Sportsbook expanded its relationship with MLB. Not only is DraftKings now the Official Daily Fantasy Sports partner of Major League Baseball and a co-exclusive Official Sports Betting Partner of MLB, it has launched streaming integration, allowing fans to watch live MLB games within the DraftKings Sportsbook app.

Game broadcasts are available free via DK’s “Bet & Watch” streaming integration for anyone with open and active MLB.com and DraftKings accounts. DraftKings and MLB are also planning to work together on more sports betting-themed game broadcast experiences in the future via MLB.TV.

The DraftKings brand has become a big part of the MLB Postseason presentation and all major MLB events. DK signage is everywhere baseball is and DraftKings has run a number of free-to-play pools and betting promos for US customers surrounding MLB. This has included:

• 100-1 odds boost on any MLB team getting at least one hit
• 100-1 odds on the classic New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox Wild Card game in 2021, as long as one team gets a hit

DraftKings is a clear market leader when it comes to MLB betting odds. Simplebet’s micro-betting technology also means DraftKings can offer more live MLB betting options than any other sportsbook online.

After Ontario online sports betting breaks the seal for private sportsbooks in Canada in December 2021, expect DraftKings to dominate MLB betting in Canada for years to come.

MLB odds at PointsBet – Most MLB betting options in the world?

The Detroit Tigers were the first-ever MLB team to partner with a sportsbook when it signed a mostly advertising and marketing deal with PointsBet in 2020. Right before that, PointsBet was designated an Authorized Gaming Operator of MLB, giving it the right to use official MLB data and MLB marks and logos within its online sportsbook PointsBet sportsbook app.

PointsBet is also the official sports betting partner of NBC Sports, whose regional channels provide broadcasts of various MLB games, opening up opportunities for all kinds of sport-betting content integration.

In the meantime, PointsBet’s deal with the Tigers and MLB gives the sportsbook branding at Comerica Park in Detroit plus advertising on the Detroit Tigers Radio Network and on the Tigers’ digital platforms.

PointsBet claims to offer the most MLB game betting options in the world via its unique PointsBetting product, which can allow you to win or lose more on a bet depending on score differential in a game. PointsBet has also employed its unique Good Karma Payouts promo to solve certain MLB issues.

When news broke on the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal in 2019, PointsBet refunded hundreds of thousands of dollars in New York Yankees 2019 AL Pennant and World Series futures bets placed at its US sportsbooks.

MLB betting at Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars Entertainment is one of Major League Baseball’s Authorized Gaming Operators. That gives the Caesars Sportsbook app access to official MLB data and the right to use MLB and MLB team marks and logos.

Caesars Entertainment is also an official corporate partner of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Caesars Sportsbook is the official sports betting partner of the team. As a part of that deal, Caesars Sportsbook started taking bets at certain Chase Field ticket windows and betting kiosks in September 2021.

That made Chase Field the first MLB stadium to take legal sports bets. There are also plans to launch the Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field in early 2022, with a retail sportsbook, sports bar, and broadcast studio at the former Game 7 Grill space outside of the stadium. The sportsbook will be open year-round.

As it is a Caesars Entertainment product, MLB bettors at Caesars Sportsbook customers can earn credits and tier status in the Caesars Rewards loyalty program. These can be redeemed for VIP experiences with the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Caesars offers a complete slate of MLB betting options and MLB betting promos. Every day, Caesars offers a boost to the odds on one bet as the official Caesars Super Boost. The Caesars Super Boost often surrounds MLB regular season and postseason games at that time of the year.

BetRivers Sportsbook app for MLB Betting

BetRivers Sportsbook is not an Official Sports Betting Partner of MLB or any MLB teams. It’s unclear if BetRivers ever plans to join the league’s Authorized Gaming Operator program and become an official league data licensee, giving it access to the league’s official betting data. Its access to MLB data could eventually be cut if it does not get on board.

However, BetRivers does offer up a decent variety of MLB betting options. Plus, it has previously run a number of MLB promos, including:

• An MLB Opening Day promo, offering a Free Bet bonus for every home run hit on opening day for anyone making at least $100 in baseball bets
• The Wednesday MLB Profit Boost promo, offering a 20% profit boost for every MLB bet on specific days

MLB betting explained

Moneylines, run lines and totals are the most mainstream baseball bets out there, but the options go much deeper at online sportsbooks. Futures, props and live betting all contribute to creating a multi-faceted experience for the bettor.

Below is an example of what bettors will see when they open the app to the MLB section.

How to bet the moneyline in baseball

Moneyline bets are wagers on which side will win a game regardless of the score. These are easy bets to understand and perfect for beginners looking to keep things simple.

When it comes to calculating your potential risk and reward, use the odds as your guide. Decimal odds represent the total return for the bettor if they place a $1 wager, including the amount that is risked originally. From there, the math is easy for a bet of any size.

Use 2.00 as the number that separates favourites and underdogs in most cases. Favourites will generally have a line below 2.00 while underdog odds are usually 2.00 or above.

In our example, the Blue Jays are the favourite at 1.77, which means the bettor can win 77 cents for every dollar bet on Toronto. If risking $100, that would be $77 in profit for a total of $177 at the end of the wager.

The underdog is Oakland with a line of 2.20, which means a $1 bet can win $1.20 in profit for a total of $2.20. A wager of $100 means $120 in winnings and $220 in total.

How to bet MLB run lines

Run lines are baseball’s version of a point spread, although there are some differences between the two. Point spreads are used to even out the game for bettors, but run lines essentially flip the favourite and the underdog from an odds perspective.

With the run line, favourites are always -1.5 and must win by two runs. In exchange, bettors are given much more advantageous odds compared to the moneyline. Toronto is -1.5 (2.25), which means a $100 risk can win $125 in profit for a total return of $225.

Underdogs are +1.5 and can cover the run line by losing the game by a single run if they don’t win. The margin for error provided by the run results in a lesser payout, as we can see in our example. The Athletics +1.5 (1.69) means risking $100 to win $69 in profit for a total payout of $169.

How to bet on totals for MLB games

Totals are simply a wager on whether the combined score of the game will go over or under a figure set by oddsmakers. The odds that accompany the total are similar on both sides, meaning you will earn a similar profit whether they go over or under.

The Blue Jays-Athletics total is set at 8.5 runs. In this case, the line is 1.91 for both the Over 8.5 and the Under 8.5. If risking $100, you can win $91 in profit for a full payout of $191.

When betting on totals, there are a few factors to keep in mind, such as starting pitchers, batting lineup/order, injuries and weather. All of these elements are baked into the oddsmakers’ line, so the bettor should be aware of them too.

What is a first five innings bet?

In addition to the conventional options above, baseball bettors can wager on the first five innings (F5), which isn’t dissimilar to first-half betting in football or basketball. Rather than placing a full-game bet for all nine (or more) innings, F5 bets cover only the first five innings of play.

The biggest difference between F5 betting and full-game betting is that ties are a possibility after five innings. To account for this, some sportsbooks offer a three-way moneyline with a tie option. Others offer a standard two-way moneyline. In the event the game is tied after five innings, bettors are reimbursed their original wager.

Another difference is that run lines adjust from 1.5 on each side to -0.5 for the favourite, and that squad needs to be in the lead by a single run or more. The line is +0.5 for the underdog, and the run line is covered if this team is ahead or the game is tied after five innings. This is what the F5 odds look like for our example (in order of the moneyline, run line and total):

	Moneyline	Run Line	Total
Toronto Blue Jays	1.62	-0.5 (1.87)	Over 4.5 (2.00)
Oakland Athletics	2.40	+0.5 (1.95)	Under 4.5 (1.83)

On the Blue Jays, your moneyline bet (1.62) wins $0.62 in profit for every dollar. A $10 bet could win $6.20 in profit for a total of $16.20. The run line (1.87) earns a little bit more, as a $10 bet would win $8.70 and a total return of $18.70.

A moneyline wager on the underdog Athletics (2.40) pays $1.40 in profit for every dollar. A $10 bet on Oakland to win pays $14 for a total of $24.00. To be on the run line at +0.5 (1.95), a $10 bet could win $9.50 for a $19.50 total payout.

F5 bets are known for taking the bullpens out of play since the starting pitchers normally make it through this part of the game. For this reason, whoever is on the mound probably plays the largest role in the odds. If there is a particular pitcher you want to back or fade, an F5 bet could be a great option. Generally, the total is 3.5 or 4.5 runs, although some go all the way up to 5.5 in games with many runs expected.

If you project a pitcher’s duel, F5 bets on the under may be for you. In this case, that would pay $0.83 for every $1. In a game with two pitchers you expect to allow some runs, you may go with the over. At 2.00, the Over 4.5 in our example is even money, and a $1 bet will win another $1 in profit.

Which prop bets are available for MLB games?

Canadian online sportsbooks have a wide range of MLB prop bets for every game.

Prop betting involves wagering on an aspect of the contest that isn’t a moneyline, run line or total. There are some props that involve the outcome of the game, but many have nothing to do with the final score. Here are some examples of MLB team and MLB player prop bets:

• Player Home Run
• Player Total Hits/Runs/RBI
• Pitcher Total Strikeouts
• Innings ML, Spread, & Total (After 1, 3, 5, or 7 Innings)
• Team Total Runs
• First Team To Score

Many of these markets are built around individual game statistics, a specific team or individual players. While some of the more common options can be found at multiple betting sites, others are exclusive to certain sportsbooks.

Can I bet on any MLB futures?

Included in the newfound treasure trove of betting options are plenty of futures markets for every MLB team.

Futures markets in baseball usually take months to settle, so these are perfect options for those who want a rooting interest but don’t want to wager on games every single day. They’re also great for anyone looking for a big payday. Prior to the season, CDN sportsbooks will offer futures odds on the following:

• World Series Winner odds
• AL/NL Pennant Winner
• Division Winner
• Team Total Wins
• Individual Player Awards (Batting Champion, AL & NL MVP odds, Cy Young odds, etc.)

The markets for pennant winners and the World Series remain open throughout the season, with odds constantly adjusting. Each sportsbook varies in what it offers before and during the season, but DraftKings and William Hill are two sites known for having a range of offerings.

How does in-game betting work?

In-game betting, also known as live betting, is the process of wagering on a game when it has already begun. Its explosion in popularity is directly correlated with mobile betting’s growth, and Canadian online sportsbooks offer plenty of live betting lines to choose from as games are underway.

• Moneyline, Spread & Total
• Alternate Spreads & Totals
• Result Of Pitch/At-Bat
• Inning Total Runs
• Inning Winner
• Team Total Runs

Live betting odds are another category that each sportsbook may have in common. With that said, many of the exact markets could vary from site to site beyond the moneyline, spread and total. DraftKings usually has some of the widest variety when it comes to in-game MLB odds.

MLB Playoffs and World Series betting

When it comes to the MLB postseason, betting interest and action reaches a whole new level. In total, 10 teams reach the playoffs, five from the American League and five from the National League. Six of the 10 are division winners; the other four are Wild Card teams.

Following a Wild Card game for each league, the Division Series is five games. Once there are two teams left in each league, the Championship Series matchups are seven games, as is the World Series. Bettors can wager on the playoffs before they begin (and while they’re going on) in the following ways:

• Series Winner, Total Games & Exact Outcome
• AL/NL Pennant Winner
• World Series Winner

In addition to offering futures markets for each series and the eventual champion, every MLB postseason game features all of the same betting markets that can be found during the season. In fact, there’s a chance some sportsbooks create even more options for the playoffs. There are also many different MLB Playoffs promotions to choose from across the various sportsbooks in your province.

Best MLB bets for beginners

Most MLB betting markets are pretty self-explanatory, but that comes with experience and repeatedly scrolling through the options on a sportsbook app. At the start, it could be more difficult to identify what exactly to bet on. As a beginner sports bettor, consider some of the following options:

• First Five Innings: Betting on the first half of the game allows you to keep things simple by eliminating bullpens and benches from the equation and focusing more on the starting pitchers and lineups.
• Player Over/Under Hits: Those who are new to betting may be more familiar with fantasy baseball, and this is where that individual player knowledge can really come in handy. This is all about analyzing the matchup between the pitcher and the hitter, as well as the hitter’s recent form.
• 1st Inning Totals: This is a bet that relies on looking at the starting pitcher and the top of the opposing batting order. Baseball can be unpredictable and so can the results of these wagers, but they are exciting and perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to devote a ton of time to their bets and watch a whole game.

Learn more about the specific rules of MLB betting.

Why stick to legal sportsbooks for MLB betting in Canada?

Previously, offshore sportsbooks enjoyed a rise in popularity among Canadians due to the country’s laws prohibiting single-game wagering. But with that changing, it’s imperative that bettors in Canada use a legal avenue to place their bets.

Legal sports betting brings with it regulations to maintain the industry’s integrity. It also works with trustworthy operators such as DraftKings and William Hill, brands that customers can trust with their personal and financial information. They will also have the chance to claim sportsbook bonuses, free bets and promotions, with a customer service operation ready to help with any issue.

None of that can be said for offshore sites, which operate in another part of the world to avoid the regulatory oversight present in Canada. This can lead to a host of issues, including not being paid your winnings. If that does happen, there is no viable customer service to rely on.

Furthermore, many mainstream banks won’t allow card transactions to these sites. If they do, it comes with a huge fee attached just for depositing. If you’re able to withdraw successfully, many of the sites ask bettors to use cryptocurrency rather than one of the many mainstream methods.

The lesson is that bettors should avoid these sites and their shady practices by signing up with legal Canadian sportsbooks.

Best Canadian players in Major League Baseball

In today’s MLB, there are many Canadian players. Some are even among the best the game has to offer. There are both young phenoms and stalwart All-Stars that hail proudly from Canada:

• Joey Votto (Toronto, ON): The Reds’ first baseman since 2007 is one of the best-known Canadians in the game. He’s a six-time All-Star, a National League MVP and a Gold Glove Aside from all the accolades, Votto is a highly respected player among his peers.
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Montreal, QC): He was born in Montreal while his Hall-of-Fame father played for the Expos. Now, Vlad Jr. has grown up to play for a different Canadian franchise. The Blue Jays’ first baseman is one of the most electric young players in the game.
• Freddie Freeman: Born in California to a pair of Canadians, Freeman holds citizenship and played for Canada in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He’s a four-time All-Star, the 2020 National League MVP, a Gold Glove winner at first base for Atlanta and a two-time Silver Slugger Award Winner.

Best all-time Canadian MLB players

Major League Baseball history stretches back pretty far. In that time, there have been many game-breaking talents from Canada. Here are some of the best baseball players to ever come out of the country:

• Larry Walker (Maple Bridge, BC): He began his career with Montreal before moving over to Colorado from 1995 to 2004. A five-time All-Star, seven-time Gold Glove winner in right field, National League MVP in 1997, and a three-time MLB batting champ, Walker was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
• Ferguson Jenkins (Chatham-Kent, ON): Jenkins was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991 after an MLB career that spanned 1965 to 1983. He was a three-time MLB All-Star and the 1971 National League Cy Young Winner.
• Justin Morneau (New Westminster, BC): Morneau played in the MLB from 2003 to 2016, mostly at first base for the Minnesota Twins. He retired a four-time All-Star, American League MVP in 2006, the National League batting champ in 2014 and a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

A brief history of the Blue Jays

Canada’s lone Major League Baseball team is the Toronto Blue Jays. The franchise made its MLB debut in the 1977 season and is the pride of many Canadian baseball fans. Below are some of the best players to ever put on a Blue Jays uniform:

• Roy Halladay
• Carlos Delgado
• Joe Carter
• Roberto Alomar
• Jose Bautista
• Tony Fernandez

The beginning of Toronto’s history didn’t go as planned with the team reaching the postseason only once in its first 12 seasons. As the ‘80s ended and the ‘90s began, the Jays turned around under manager Cito Gaston, who helped lead the team to its only two World Series titles in 1992 and 1993.

Another extended drought followed. But more recently, Toronto went to the back-to-back ALCS in 2015 and 2016. Currently, the Blue Jays are known for having a talented roster of young potential superstars, and the club expects to play a major role in the postseason in the near future.