Major League Baseball (MLB) odds are one of the easiest ways for rookie bettors to get in the betting game. A 162-game regular season means multiple games played every day from late March to October. Then, playoff baseball takes over with division and wild card races leading to the World Series.

The 2023 MLB season is into May, and Boston Red Sox fans have plenty of reasons to be excited for the action now that sports betting in Massachusetts is legal—both in person and online.

Which sportsbooks and betting apps have the best MLB odds? How do you start betting on MLB games in Massachusetts? See below.

Best MLB betting sites in Massachusetts

Retail sports betting in Massachusetts launched earlier this year and baseball fans can now make MLB bets at three Massachusetts casinos: MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, and Plainridge Park Casino.

Massachusetts online sportsbook apps have also launched, taking things to the next level with baseball bets available on your phone or laptop all season long.

At full capacity, Massachusetts could feature up to 15 online sportsbooks. Seven are now live. They are: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, WynnBET, Barstool Sportsbook, and Betr. More are on the way. Bally Bet and Fanatics Sportsbooks are slated to launch in the coming weeks, while Betway will launch in January 2024.

All of these books have MLB betting odds for all 162 regular season games plus playoffs and World Series.

In addition, all of these platforms will have MA sportsbook welcome bonuses available to new users.

Best MLB betting apps in Massachusetts

⚾ DraftKings Massachusetts

DraftKings is one of the biggest sportsbook brands in the country. As an added bonus, its headquarters is in Boston.

One of the biggest strengths of DraftKings, especially for MLB betting, is the market depth. There is truly something for everyone.  On the DraftKings MA Sportsbook app you can find:

• Up-to-the-minute MLB moneylines, run lines and totals
• Plenty of player props
• MLB same-game parlays using DraftKings’ same-game parlay builder

There are also plenty of live betting or micro betting options.

With all of this in mind, the DraftKings Sportsbook app may be your best option when it comes to MLB and Red Sox betting in Massachusetts.

⚾ FanDuel Massachusetts

The FanDuel MA Sportsbook app has a simple, user-friendly interface for MLB betting with plenty of odds markets. FanDuel offers:

• Odds for all MLB regular season, playoff, and World Series games.
• Vast MLB prop betting market.
• Dedicated parlay builder for every MLB game

FanDuel is known for featuring extremely competitive odds, especially on underdogs. If the Red Sox are underdogs this season, it may be worthwhile to check the FanDuel Sportsbook app before you make your bets.

⚾ Caesars Massachusetts

Like both DraftKings and FanDuel, the Caesars MA Sportsbook app features competitive odds and lines for all regular season, playoff, and World Series games.

It also has extensive prop markets available. However, what makes Caesars stand out is its rewards program, Caesars Rewards. It is among the best rewards programs out there.

If you’re a frequent bettor, it may be advantageous to download the Caesars Sportsbook app and start building up your rewards.

⚾ BetMGM Massachusetts

The BetMGM sportsbook app is a must-add app for serious sports bettors. The book’s betting menu is one of the most extensive around and is available for both IOS and Android.

You’ll find a massive selection of betting options during the MLB season, including game props, head-to-head player props, run lines, and more. You’ll also be able to wager on one-game parlays and place live in-game bets on the app.

BetMGM offers a competitive welcome bonus that ranks up there with the best of them. The site also features year-round promotions that allow you to earn extra betting credit.

BetMGM has a deep futures betting menu that includes but is not limited to:

• World Series Outright winner
• AL winner
• NL winner
• Division of winning team
• Cy Young winner
• League MVP
• Rookie of the Year
• Regular season wins

⚾ WynnBET Massachusetts

While it doesn’t have the clout of the “big four” betting apps, the WynnBET Massachusetts app is a worthwhile addition to your sportsbook rotation. The WynnBET app is available for IOS and Android and has a lot of features, including:

• 24/7 customer support
• Secure banking options
• In-game live stats
• Live in-game betting
• Teasers
• Boosted daily bets

The welcome bonuses offered aren’t as lucrative as some sportsbooks and vary by state.

When it comes to MLB, you’ll find competitive odds and lines at WynnBET that sometimes outclass its competition. The site often offers MLB parlay specials with boosted odds of 15% and up.

If you’re looking for futures bets, this app often outshines most of the top sportsbook brands. At the time of this writing, you’ll find significantly longer odds for the World Series favorite (Houston Astros) at WynnBET than both FanDuel and DraftKings.

Getting started at Massachusetts online sportsbooks

MLB betting at an online sportsbook is a simple process. Follow these steps to place your first baseball bet:

• Choose which device you’ll wager from (phone, tablet or computer).
• Click through above, sign up on the website and/or download the app.
• Follow the instructions to create an account and claim your bonus.
• Make a deposit or use the bonus to place your first bet.
• Check the MLB tab for all the game and prop bet options.
• Click on any bet to fill out your betting slip, pick how much you want to wager and confirm.

When signing up, don’t forget to claim any MA sportsbook welcome bonuses that may be available.

Moneylines, run lines and totals (over/unders)

• Moneyline: A moneyline bet is a bet on one side or the other to win the game. You choose what team you think will win, with potential winnings based on the odds at the time of your bet. If a sportsbook lists the Red Sox at -120, Boston is the favorite. You would have to bet $120 to win $100. If the odds have the Red Sox at +120, Boston is the underdog. You would win $120 by betting $100.
• Run line: The run line is baseball’s version of a point spread bet. It’s a bet on a team to win by exceeding a certain margin of victory or to avoid losing by more than that spread number. Due to baseball’s scoring structure, the standard run line is 1.5. For example, if the Rex Sox run line is -1.5, you’re betting on the Red Sox to win by two or more runs. If the line is Boston +1.5, you’re betting on the Red Sox to lose by one run (or win by any score).
• Over/under: A total bet on the combined score in a game. If the over/under is 7.5, and you bet the over, you need both teams to score enough runs combined to push the total to eight or more. If the final score in a game between Boston and Philadelphia is 5-3, you would win the bet. If you had bet the under in the example above and the final score was 3-2, you would win there, as well.

MLB line movement

MLB lines move differently from sports like basketball and football. Those sports have byzantine scoring structures and a lot more offense, and in those games, you’ll see the spread number move more often because that’s the primary way people bet.

In MLB betting, you’ll likely see more movement on the moneyline and the odds numbers associated with the run line. A standard MLB run line is 1.5. You’ll rarely see that number move before a game. However, you could bet an alternate run line with better odds.

MLB props and futures

Betting on MLB futures allows you to bet on a team before the season starts. You can make multiple future bets on the Red Sox before opening day, and you always have the opportunity to make new bets as the season progresses.

For example, you could bet on the Red Sox to win the World Series well in advance of them actually making the playoffs. On a futures board, you may see the Red Sox World Series odds at +1800. You also have the option to bet on them winning the American League pennant or the AL East at different odds.

Another team futures bet you can lock in before the season starts is the over/under on the team’s total wins. The sportsbook handicappers set the number of wins, and you can bet that the Red Sox will win over or under that amount.

Betting on individual players is also available via the MLB player prop odds boards. You can find odds on awards, like MVP odds and Cy Young odds for both leagues. You also have the option to bet on whether a power hitter like Rafael Devers will lead the league in home runs, hit more than 2 home runs in a single game, and much more.

Once the season starts, you’ll still have access to those preseason bets plus daily game props on virtually any player and team. Check the MLB tab of your sportsbook to see the prop bets available for each game.

MLB live betting

With online betting options and sportsbook apps, live MLB betting has never been easier. Why might you want to bet as the game is going on? It’s a way for you to leverage your baseball knowledge into winning bets.

Sites like FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM Sportsbook in Massachusetts will adjust their in-game lines by the second. You may see a game where the Sox give up a few runs in the first inning, but you feel confident they’ll win. You’ll be able to grab odds that will be far more profitable when the Red Sox trail.

One of DraftKings’ best features is an integrated streaming platform for all account-holders with an MLB.com membership, so you can watch games and access stats directly.

What makes MLB betting different?

According to betting data, the NFL is the most popular option at sportsbooks. It makes sense. It’s the most popular sport, and most of the games occur on Sundays. But the massive exposure of pro football doesn’t help bettors much. Betting markets get tighter as they receive more exposure.

While baseball is America’s pastime, there are far too many games happening each night during a season for casual bettors to explore. That means you may be able to find under- or overvalued teams and better odds on a day-to-day basis.

It’s also an excellent way for new bettors to get their feet wet at legal Massachusetts sportsbooks. Unlike the NFL and NBA, the spread is primarily static (NHL betting lines are similar). You’ll also bet more moneylines and totals.

Another cool perk of baseball betting? The Grand Salami bet, where you the over/under on the grand total of all runs scored in all games that day.

As always, though, beware of scamdicappers or touts who profess they can tell you who will win an MLB game on any given day,

MLB betting rules in Massachusetts

Not all sportsbooks are the same. When learning how to bet on MLB, you should be well versed in the MLB betting rules at your preferred sportsbook. These rules can vary on each platform, so it’s important to be properly informed on each one. Before placing your MLB bets, it’s a good idea to browse through your chosen app for its specific rules and regulations.

For example, on DraftKings Sportsbook, common MLB betting rules include that all games must start on their scheduled day and time to have action. All bets on canceled or postponed games are void unless the game happens within 36 hours. In terms of moneyline bets, the game must go five innings or more in order to be valid. A wager on the total requires nine innings to be valid. Run line bets also require nine innings.

Again, these rules can vary from sportsbook to sportsbook. Always be sure to read the terms and conditions, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the sportsbook’s customer service team.

MLB betting in Massachusetts FAQs

Where can I bet on the Red Sox in person in Massachusetts?

Baseball fans in Massachusetts can place bets on the Red Sox (and all MLB teams) at MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor and Plainridge Park Casino. All three facilities have a wide variety of MLB futures bets available, and they offer odds and lines for each individual game once the season starts.

What mobile betting apps can I use to bet on the Red Sox?

MA mobile sportsbook apps have launched. Right now, Massachusetts baseball bettors have seven platforms to choose from: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, WynnBET, Barstool Sportsbook, and Betr. Other companies will be added to the mix in the coming months.

Can I bet on Red Sox player props in Massachusetts?

Yes. All Massachusetts sportsbooks offer betting odds on player props for MLB games. This means you can bet on Red Sox player props for all 162 games of the MLB season.

Can I bet on all MLB teams in Massachusetts?

Yes. All MA online betting apps offer odds and lines for all 30 MLB teams. In addition, all three retail casinos are accepting wagers involving all 30 MLB teams.