Most bettors are familiar with the concept of a point spread in the NFL. Each score on offense is a minimum of three or a maximum of seven. Therefore, offering odds on whether a team can cover a certain amount of points is more enticing - and, in some cases, more lucrative - than simply to win.

Major League Baseball is different. Every score counts for one run, making the moneyline a more traditional aspect of betting on baseball. However, there is spread sportsbook betting in baseball. It's called the runline.

What Are MLB Run Lines?

An MLB runline is a 1.5-point spread in baseball. The favorite has to win by two or more runs in order to cover the -1.5 spread. Conversely, the underdog can lose by up to one run to beat the +1.5 spread.

Last week we discussed some MLB Betting Tips related to starting pitching. This week, we’ll dive into some MLB Betting Tips related to team offense.

Pitching is rightfully the most accepted starting point for handicapping baseball games, but it can’t be the only factor to consider when deciding which teams to back. Teams need to score – not just hold the other team down – in order to win.

As of this writing, there are eleven teams that are hitting under .250 as a club, and those teams have to be weighted as such regardless of who is the opposing pitcher.

The Mariners, Mets, and White Sox make up the bottom three teams in terms of team batting average, and when they send their ace to the mound it’s often a good time to fade them at a great price.