Major League Baseball (MLB) 2016 Betting Preview

The 2016 Major League Baseball (MLB) season got underway on 3rd April. This year, 30 of the best teams in the US will be competing for league glory up until 2nd October. As is tradition, the 2016 MLB season will offer up 162 matches – 162 opportunities for you to take on the oddsmakers in a battle of foresight and logic.
According to the stats, Las Vegas bookmakers accepted just over $897 million (£628 million) in MLB bets in 2015; when the books were closed, the casinos kept just 4.39% of the money staked. In comparison to other American sports, such as American football and basketball, this ‘win’ ratio is markedly lower, suggesting that baseball betting is indeed a lucrative proposition – if you can pick out the best bets.
Indeed, the combination of 162 games, a generous (potential) win rate and a plethora of betting bonuses throughout the season make MLB a hot prospect for any sports fan. Here's a look at some of the best MLB bets you can have a flutter on this season.
The Best Bets for 2016
When it comes to the hot prospects for MLB glory this season, the oddsmakers are currently having a hard time looking beyond the Chicago Cubs. Even before the team's first outing against the Los Angeles Angels (on 5th April), the Cubs have been pitched at 6/1 for World Series success by Bet365 Sports.
In fact, it's a similar story over at Paddy Power Sports and William Hill Sports, with both bookmakers offering a price of 8/1 on the Cubs. If the team's manager Joe Maddon is to be believed, those odds represent fantastic value.
Addressing the media at the start of April, Maddon stated that he trusts his young team and believes they can handle the “pressure and expectations” that will inevitably bear down on them throughout the season. ESPN writer Jesse Rogers believes this could be the Cubs' year thanks to a young line-up he feels is “one of the best” in the game.
Following this line-up of emerging talent, you can currently find odds of 6/1 on the Cubs' Jake Arrieta winning the 2016 NL CY Young Player Award at Paddy Power Sports. Of course, if speculating on young talent isn't your thing, you can also pick up odds of 7/4 on Mike Trout or 11/2 on Josh Donaldson becoming the 2016 MLB Most Valuable Player (MVP) over at Paddy Power's world class bookmaker.
Hot Prospects
Beyond the World Series outrights (where you can also find the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royal and Los Angeles Dodgers with odds of 12/1 at William Hill Sports) and individual honours list, Bet365 Sports is also offering betting options for the MLB's regional divisions, which currently stand at:
- AL Central Favourites = Kansas City Royals @ 33/20
- AL East Favourites = Toronto Blue Jays @ 6/4
- AL West Favourites = Houston Astros @ 13/10
- NL Central Favourites = Chicago Cubs @ 10/21
- NL East Favourites = New York Mets @ 5/6
- NL West Favourites = Los Angeles Dodgers @ 11/10
If you're after some MLB bets with slightly more variance but a lot more potential, then Paddy Power Sports' homerun roster is worth a look. Currently topping the list of hard hitting prospects is Giancarlo Stanton, a top 10 MVP candidate for the Miami Marlins.
Last season Chris Davis notched up 47 homeruns (you can get odds of 7/1 on him being the leading run scorer this season); however, thanks to a tally of 47 runs, Stanton looks to be the best batting prospect in 2016, despite being injured for a large part of last year. But if the Miami Marlins' star player can't stay injury-free this season, he may not take the golden bat, which would mean the likes of Davis, Mike Trout (10/1) and Bryce Harper (12/1) all suddenly become intriguing value bets.
Whichever market you enter and wherever your allegiances lie, the 2016 MLB season looks to be filled with potential. From outrights and in-game wagers to individual markets, Paddy Power Sports has everything you need to make the 2016 MLB season one to remember.
Recommended Betting Sites



- 18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: £10, max £10 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets not eligible. Neteller,Skrill and Paypal not eligible. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly. www.begambleaware.orgFully Mobile-Optimised InterfaceInteractive Football Match Centre‘BoostItOn’ Accumulator Boostsnot requiredBonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
27Bet BuilderCan you build your own personalised bets?
NoCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
YesAcca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoBetItOn have ex-Liverpool striker and Champions League winner Djibril Cissé as their brand ambassador and resident football expert. - Min deposit £/€/$10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £/€/$10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.50) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager the bonus amount 40 times within 14 days • Casino Bonus expires after 60 days • Withdrawal restrictions, payment methods, country & Full T&C’s apply. - Full Terms ApplyCreate your own Multiples with Bet BuilderLive Streaming of all UK & Irish RacingDaily Price Enhancements & SpecialsGET40Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
16Bet BuilderCan you build your own personalised bets?
YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
YesAcca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Yes888sport offer a wide range of sports betting markets, combined with regular enhanced specials, plus an exclusive 'Acca Club' (bet £20 on Multiples or Bet Builder to get a £5 free bet - every week). - T&Cs apply. New customers on mobile only. 7 days to claim and stake £10 minimum bet at odds of 1.5 or greater to qualify. Free, void, cashed out or partially cashed out bets do not qualify. Max 3x £10 free bets credited on bet settlement. Free bets must be used on 4 or more selections with selection odds of 1.3 or greater. Free bets are non-withdrawable and stake not returned with winnings. 7 day expiry. 18+ BeGambleAware.orgWide Range of In-Play MarketsLive Streaming of UK Horse RacingBetting App for Android & iOS Devicesnot requiredBonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
9Bet BuilderCan you build your own personalised bets?
YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
YesAcca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoBetUK have leading National Hunt trainer Neil Mulholland and celebrity horse racing enthusiast and model Vogue Williams as brand ambassadors and betting experts. - 18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £15 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at a min. odds of 1/1 (2.00) or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. Click to see full T&CsDual Sportsbook & Casino PlatformDistinctive ‘Moustache’ Branding‘PlayBoost’ Accumulator Boostsnot requiredBonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
NoIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
21Bet BuilderCan you build your own personalised bets?
NoCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
YesAcca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoMr.Play Sports has a fun style of its very own, with a memorable handlebar 'tache wherever you look, but it boasts a serious amount of betting markets, plus Premier League & 'Euro Elite' betting battle tournaments. - Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. - Full Terms ApplyAwarded 'Sportsbook of the Year' 2018/19/20/21Live Streaming of 1000's of Events2 Goals Ahead Early Payout Offernot requiredBonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
31Bet BuilderCan you build your own personalised bets?
YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
YesAcca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoBet365 offer the most comprehensive online sports betting service, including live steaming of a huge range of sports, plus a unique 'Edit Bet' functionality. - The Promotion operates as a £/€20 Surprise Bet when you place a bet of at least £/€10 on any market with odds greater than or equal to 1.50 as your first bet. The Promotion runs from 09/08/2021 / 12:00 (BST) until 31/12/2021 / 12:00 (BST) (the “Promotional Period”). The Promotion is only valid to: (a) new customers; (b) customers aged 18 years or over. To qualify for the Promotion, participant must deposit and place a £/€10 bet as their first bet on any market (excluding each way) in the sportsbook with odds greater than or equal to 1.50. Only original odds count toward the promotion. Supercharged odds do not count towards the promotion. An accumulation of smaller stakes will not count. Cashed out bets do not count towards this promotion. Only available once per customer. Rewards will be credited to qualifying participants within 48 hours after placing the qualifying bet. Potential winnings from the Surprise Bet are paid in withdrawable cash, excluding the stake. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.Random Supercharged PayoutsWeekly ‘kwiff Club’ Cashback & Free Bets‘Acca Shield’ Refund (if One Leg Fails)not requiredBonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
NoIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
13Bet BuilderCan you build your own personalised bets?
NoCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
YesAcca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
YesWhen a customer places a bet with kwiff, they may find that their bet is “kwiffed” - where you receive increased odds after placing your bet. - T&Cs apply. New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via "My Offers" page within 30 days. Skrill/Neteller deposits excl. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play. Max. extra winnings £100. 18+ BeGambleAware.org. - Full Terms ApplyMobile First Betting Interface'Leo King' Sports Prediction Game24/7 Customer Servicenot requiredBonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
34Bet BuilderCan you build your own personalised bets?
YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
YesAcca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoLeo Vegas Sports is the sportsbook from this multi-award-winning casino operator, with a focus on mobile users - including a sport betting app for Android & iOS Devices. - New ‘brand’ customers that have yet to make a first deposit on the site. Must be aged 18+. Only valid on first deposit. Not valid with any other offers on the site. Offer expires after 14 days. T&Cs apply. Play Responsibly www.begambleaware.org.Rewards Points for Every BetWeekly Free Bet ClubHigh Betting LimitsSPORTS200Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
27Bet BuilderCan you build your own personalised bets?
YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
YesAcca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
YesSportNation offer unique money back promotions and special offers, such as 'First Five' where your football bet is paid out as a winner if your team scores first in the first 5 minutes. - New customers only. Qualifying bets must be placed before midnight 31/8/21. Free bet credited when your first bet on Glory Goals settles. Qualifying min odds 1.5. Free bet min odds 1.1 and must be used in 7 days. T&Cs apply. 18+. Play Responsibly www.begambleaware.org.Extensive American Sports MarketsUnique 'Glory Goals' BettingRegular Enhanced Odds & SpecialsRZGG20Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
12Bet BuilderCan you build your own personalised bets?
NoCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
YesAcca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoRedZone is an American-style sportbook who offer innovative markets, such as 'Glory Goals' where you can bet on two teams playing in different games - selecting who scores most. - New players only. Free Bet is a one-time stake of £10, minimum odds of 1.5, stake is not returned. 10X wagering the winnings. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Max conversion: £20. Valid for 7 days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. 18+. Play Responsibly www.begambleaware.org.10% Cash-Back on Various Sports'Wager Wars' Cash PrizesFull & Partial Cash-Out Optionsnot requiredBonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
NoIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
16Bet BuilderCan you build your own personalised bets?
YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
YesAcca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoBritainBet is a relatively new sportsbook and casino platform, which offers Bet Builder and Cash-Outs, plus 24/7 customer service.
Stay In The Loop With Free Bets, Insider Tips & More!
Live Betting. Sports Promos. Sent Weekly.