Understanding Home Run Prop Betting with BetMGM

There is no one surefire way to win all of your home run bets, but here are three basic strategic concepts to keep in mind:

• Pay Attention to Left/Right Matchups: Some hitters are significantly better at hitting right-handed or left-handed pitchers. Be sure to check what starting pitcher their opponent is using to understand if they will be at an advantage or disadvantage in a given game. For instance, in 2024, Tyler O'Neill hit 16 home runs against left-handed pitchers and 15 against right-handed pitchers. That might not seem like a huge distinction, but he only had 128 at-bats against lefties, while he had 283 against righties. On a per-game basis, he was a far better power hitter against left-handed opponents.
• Be Aware of Ballparks: MLB's heterogeneous ballpark alignments and climates result in the ball traveling differently at different stadiums. It is unwise to make any home run bets without a good understanding of the game's setting. An example of a park that's easier than most to hit home runs in is Yankee Stadium in New York. Here's a summary of where the team's best home run hitters hit the ball over the fence in 2024:

• Look at Head-to-Head Numbers: Sometimes hitters have a lot of history with an opponent, and their results against them come from a sample that is too small to draw conclusions. However, sometimes hitters and pitchers have extensive track records against each other, and it's wise to take note of matchups where hitters have been particularly successful. For example, despite the fact Justin Verlander is a nine-time All-Star with three Cy Young Awards, the less-heralded Carlos Santana has hit nine home runs against him in 86 at-bats.

Although BetMGM home run odds are not guaranteed to be more favorable than those found elsewhere, the sportsbook has notable features for those interested in this type of bet.

Firstly, they offer bets on players not to hit home runs, a market that can't be found with every sportsbook. This bet type isn't a fit for all bettors because of extremely low payouts. For example, before Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, the odds on New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge—who led the majors in home runs during the regular season—not hitting a home run was -275. 

That line won't appeal to all baseball bettors, but it's an option some appreciate.

Another thing BetMGM brings to the table is content related to home run props. If you visit the sportsbook's blog, 'The Roar,' there is a series of posts on the site called 'Home Run Props Today' that provides information on the odds for top home run props and their implied probability.

Whether you follow the advice presented or not, it's a handy resource for finding BetMGM home run odds and information on hitters you may be interested in.

BetMGM makes it straightforward for new bettors to begin wagering on home run markets. The registration process is designed to take minutes, allowing bettors to access various markets quickly.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help new bettors create an account on BetMGM and access MLB markets. 

1. Visit BetMGM:

• Go to BetMGM Sportsbook on desktop or mobile betting app to view the latest odds.
• Ensure you're located in a state where BetMGM is legally authorized to operate. BetMGM is located in 28 states (retail and online) and Washington, D.C. Bettors must be 21 and above in all regions except D.C., where the gambling age is 18.

2. Sign Up:

• To confirm your account, click on the gold "Sign Up" button and provide personal details, including name, date of birth, and email address.
• BetMGM ensures compliance by requiring bettors to share the last four digits of their Social Security Number (SSN) and activate geolocation services.

3. Make Your First Deposit:

• Choose from payment methods like PayPal or bank transfers to fund your account.
• Set deposit limits to practice responsible gambling as you explore MLB home run markets.

4. Claim The BetMGM First Bet Offer:

• BetMGM gives new bettors a first bet offer based on current odds for many games and betting markets.
• Before using the promotion, read the review and the terms carefully, such as wagering requirements and expiration dates.

5. Explore the Home Run Betting Markets:

• Now, activate day mode or activate night mode, depending on your display preferences, and find the baseball section on the homepage. Scroll through the games MLB games and choose the bet you want to make.

Perhaps the most important thing to understand with home run bets is that they are long shots by definition. 

With baseball's regular season lasting 162 games, with opportunities to bet seven days a week, it's possible to spiral out of control with a series of high-risk wagers like home run props.

• Stick to a budget: When betting on longshot outcomes, it's critical to keep a strict budget. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is not to gamble more than 1-5% of your disposable income.
• Do as much research as you can: Baseball has a wealth of publicly available statistics at sites like Baseball Savant, FanGraphs, and Baseball-Reference. Even if there's no way to completely avoid the risks inherent in home run betting, you can at least arm yourself with the tools to make the most informed wagers possible.
• Consider bonus bets: One way to mitigate the risk of betting on home runs is to save those wagers for when you have bonus bets available. Bonus bets can come as free bets, albeit with wagering requirements, so you must study the terms before opting in.
• Be aware of the responsible gambling tools available to you: If you find your betting getting out of hand, find out what tools sportsbooks like BetMGM have to offer to help keep your gambling safe. Take advantage of limits on deposits, betting, and time if necessary. If the situation remains out of control, consider putting yourself on a self-exclusion list.