MLB Top Picks Based on Betting Splits, Power Ratings and Trends for Tuesday, May 13

Therefore, it is important that the bettor understand the makeup of each team and which of them has the benefit of experience. Many underdog betting tips will advise the bettor to wager on the experienced team, particularly if they are being cast in the underdog role. It’s fair to say we all know that World Series games have greater importance than a three-game series in the middle of May. A game’s importance can play a big role in how teams perform and the subsequent betting outcomes. In the major league baseball example above, it would cost $170 to win $100 on the Yankees but on the underdog Rays, it would cost $100 to win $150. Depending on your betting budget, you may have chosen to bet on the latter because much of the time, it is just hard to beat underdog prices.

One of the most touted features on the VSiN.com website, and a feature that we believe to be a fantastic resource for bettor, is the betting splits pages. If you like straightforward bets and potentially big payouts, money lines are a great option to bet the underdog. Since the payouts are relatively big, you don’t need to win every underdog money line bet you make to be profitable. It’s a basic example but clearly shows how betting on the underdog can be profitable. If you bet on the underdog regularly, you shouldn’t expect to win as many bets, but overall, you may win more profit. That’s one reason you see sportsbooks adjusting betting lines.

While MLB and the NHL have only seen a combined 93teams close as an underdog of +300 or more in the five-year span, the NBA has had 1,532 and the NFL has had 212. Live betting creates opportunities when an underdog starts strong but is still undervalued. If an underdog keeps the game close early, they can still offer value mid-game.

Point spread betting gives you a way better chance of winning when you bet on the underdog but the payouts will be a lot smaller compared to money lines. Lastly, underdog betting can align with a long-term profitability strategy. While favorites win more often, the higher payouts from underdog victories mean you don’t need to win as frequently to maintain a profitable edge. This makes underdog betting an appealing avenue for experienced bettors and those looking to break away from conventional strategies. Additionally, consider betting on underdogs in back-to-back games or when the favored team is on the road.

A closer analysis of how well a team has performed recently or in certain situations could provide insight when it comes to underdogs. Maybe the underdog is flying under the radar during a recent winning streak. Are they road underdogs even though they usually perform better away from home? The following systems and qualifying plays are from the 2023 midseason article titled Handicapping MLB Streaks, detailing 14 systems for betting teams on winning or losing streaks.

Spread: Betting on the Underdog to Keep It Close

Keep an eye on young, hungry fighters facing aging champions or favorites. While experience is valuable, an older fighter might lack the stamina and reflexes to keep up with a determined underdog, leading to a surprise victory. Pay attention to fighters coming off extended layoffs or recent injuries. Even heavily favored fighters may struggle with ring rust or lingering effects from past injuries, creating an opportunity for underdogs to capitalize on their diminished performance.

Tyler Soderstrom and Wilmer Flores will take the field when the Athletics and San Francisco Giants meet on Sunday at Oracle Park. Oddsmakers list the Giants as -154 favorites on the moneyline, while giving the underdog Athletics +130 moneyline odds to win. The following is a collection of analytical data, betting systems and strength ratings featured on VSiN and qualified for the MLB games of Saturday, May 17, 2025.

Alonzo Solano The Boss of Betting, Editor-in-Chief & Sports Analyst

Betting on road underdogs is dangerous, and if you’re not a good handicapper it can cost you a great deal of money. Every home underdog doesn’t offer value, but some of them do. In the UFC, underdogs win more often than in most sports because styles play a big role. Wrestlers can neutralize strikers, and one mistake can end a fight. Lower-seeded teams pull off upsets every year, and the single-elimination format creates unpredictable results. It’s the most wagered sport in the US, and because of how much they bet, especially on high-profile games, their bets need to be accounted for.

Best 2024 Underdog NFL Teams To Bet On

Statistics, experts, odds — everything points to them winning. But every now and then, the underdog flips the script and turns a $50 bet into a massive payday. Finally, look for underdogs playing against teams coming off a short week or a taxing, emotional victory. Fatigue and a potential letdown can lead to subpar performances by favorites, providing the underdog with an opportunity to outperform expectations. Additionally, consider backing underdogs in games where the favored team might be experiencing fatigue from travel or an extended series.

Underdogs can win a game outright or they can use the points they receive to win the bet. They are usually trying to win, so they keep fighting until the end. But one thing that all winning sports bettors have in common is their ability to handicap games and find value. What jumps off the page is that an overwhelming number of these ranges are unprofitable. This is hardly a surprise, though, as blindly betting every single underdog is a godawful betting strategy.

• The favorite, on the other hand, is the side predicted to win.
• Because of that, they offer higher odds to attract some action on both sides of a bet.
• When the sportsbook offers a payout that’s too big compared to the actual odds of the underdog winning, it’s a good bet to take.
• Conversely, the away team, particularly when traveling across time zones or to challenging environments, is more likely to be seen as the underdog.

The oddsmakers create odds to attract an even amount of action on either side, whether they are point spreads or moneyline bets. When I look at moneyline underdogs I use a simple calculation. I use my handicapping system to determine how often the underdog wins the game if it was played 100 times. Then I compare this to the extra money I win on the moneyline when the underdog wins, and if it’s positive I consider placing a wager.

Here are some proven techniques to help you find the best underdog bets. Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. For more information, read our comprehensive guide to betting against the public.

Books adjust lines based on where the money is going, not just team strength. The following MLB betting trends are a collection of analytical data, betting systems and strength ratings featured on VSiN and qualified for the MLB games of Tuesday, May 13, 2025. This report is meant to emulate the process that Steve Makinen and other members of the VSiN Analytics team undergo when handicapping each day’s MLB board. The following MLB betting trends are a collection of analytical data, betting systems and strength ratings featured on VSiN and qualified for the MLB games of Friday, May 16, 2025.

Sometimes, they miscalculate, giving underdogs a better chance than their odds suggest. Fatigue affects performance, especially in back-to-back games or after long road trips. Teams that are tired make more mistakes, giving underdogs a better shot.

If the total is 44.5 points, betting the Over means you need both teams to combine for 45 or more points to win. If you bet an underdog on a +200-money line, you just need to win the bet one out of three times to break even. If you do the math, underdog bets aren’t so scary after all. If you understand https://22betofficial.com/ how they set the odds, you can find good betting opportunities.

Steve Makinen and the VSiN Analytics team share the MLB betting trends you need to know for Friday, May 16. Steve Makinen and the VSiN Analytics team share the MLB betting trends you need to know for Sunday, May 18. Be aware of the history between the two teams, key players, and less obvious factors like stadium, weather, travel schedules, etc. Once again, the underdog is the team with the plus (+) value, in this case that’s the Eagles. The Patriots have the negative sign, which means they’re the favorite. All of these factors combined tend to create a lot of action on favorites.