MLB Betting Odds, Trends and Tips: How to Bet on Spring Training Games
The football season is behind us, but that just means the return of baseball. Although the regular season is still over a month away, fans and bettors alike can get their baseball fix with MLB Spring Training.
These Spring Training exhibition games can be completely unpredictable, but there’s money to be made if you can identify and take advantage of the betting trends.
Let’s take a look at betting on Grapefruit League and Cactus League games this spring.
Don’t forget to check out our complete list of MLB game odds, MLB futures and MLB specials and props.
What is MLB Spring Training?
Spring Training represents the pre-season for Major League Baseball. It’s a time when roster cuts are made and position battles between players are solidified. It’s also a time for veteran players and teams to practice and work off the off-season rust before meaningful regular season games begin near the end of March.
This year Spring Training will run from February 22 to March 26, with games played every day. MLB’s 30 teams are split evenly into the Grapefruit League in Florida and the Cactus League in Arizona based on where their training facilities are located. Regular season affiliations and locations don’t matter, which is why you see teams like the Yankees and Mets in the Grapefruit League and the Dodgers and Angels in the Cactus League paired together.
Spring Training leagues
| Grapefruit League | Cactus League |
|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| Baltimore Orioles | Chicago Cubs |
| Boston Red Sox | Chicago White Sox |
| Detroit Tigers | Cincinnati Reds |
| Houston Astros | Cleveland Guardians |
| Miami Marlins | Colorado Rockies |
| Minnesota Twins | Kansas City Royals |
| New York Mets | Los Angeles Angels |
| New York Yankees | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Philadelphia Phillies | Milwaukee Brewers |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Oakland Athletics |
| St. Louis Cardinals | San Diego Padres |
| Tampa Bay Rays | San Francisco Giants |
| Toronto Blue Jays | Seattle Mariners |
| Washington Nationals | Texas Rangers |
Spring Training betting options
Spring Training betting options tend to be more limited than regular season games. The moneyline (picking which team will win or lose) is the main option available for Spring Training games, while props for teams and players are often not available.
There are limited Spring Training betting options because of the erratic nature of Spring Training games. Managers are tinkering with their teams and the rosters they field in exhibition games won’t be the same as their roster for Opening Day. Teams are juggling their lineups to get a look at minor league players and to test veterans in different positions as a way to get a better assessment of their respective teams’ overall talent.
Spring Training betting tips
Regular season and postseason success is irrelevant
One of the main goals of Spring Training is to evaluate young talent. Some veterans will play as a way to knock off the rust, but the majority of Spring Training games mostly feature prospects who are still in the minor league system. Overexertion is always a concern for managers, which is why starting pitchers are limited to roughly three innings.
Always confirm lineups and starting pitchers
It’s always best to wait until lineups and starting pitchers are announced by managers before placing a bet. Knowing the starting pitchers is particularly important as this is the position that usually takes the longest to get back to regular season form.
Be aware of split games
Managers will often split their roster into two teams to evaluate more players in a single day, so know which players are playing in a specific game. Again, it comes back to knowing the lineups before making a bet.
Know the top prospects and farm system
Some farm systems are stronger than others, so it’s important to knows teams’ top prospects and who they will invite to Spring Training.
Take advantage of live betting
Live betting allows you to get a feel for the game before you make a wager. You can see who is being subbed in and out of the game and how the prospects and veterans look after the off-season break.
Spring Training betting trends
- The St. Louis Cardinals have the highest winning percentage in the Grapefruit League over the past two years, combining for a 26-12 record with a plus-46 run differential in 2022 and 2023.
- At plus-74, the Toronto Blue Jays have the highest Spring Training run differential of any MLB team since 2021.
- Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers have led all MLB teams in ERA for five straight pre-seasons and they have been a top-five ERA team every year since 2015.
- The Atlanta Braves have finished first in pre-season slugging percentage over the last two years and they were tied with the Kansas City Royals for most runs scored in 2023.