For baseball bettors, there’s a steady stream of games and betting odds from opening day straight through to the postseason. Beyond the standard ways to bet on MLB, there’s also a large selection of prop bet options, including home run bets.
You can find betting odds on which players will hit a home run, who will hit the first home run of a game, league leaders in home runs and more below. Here’s what you need to know about home run betting.
MLB home run betting odds
The table below has the latest home run odds from top online sportsbooks. If you see a bet that you like, just click the odds to head to the sportsbook to place it.
How to bet on home runs
In each game during the MLB season, bettors have the option to wager on whether a player will hit a home run during that game. Sportsbooks will have odds for all of the batters that are expected to be in the lineup.
If the player you bet on hits a home run, then you win. If not, you lose. The odds typically present a chance for solid returns if you make the right call, while the bet itself can help make the game more entertaining.
Other ways to bet on home runs
In addition to the standard bet on a player going deep, there are other options for home run bets:
- Player to hit the first home run of the game
- Player to hit two or more home runs
- Home run and moneyline parlay
The first home run of a game and multiple-HR outings are even more challenging to predict, and the betting odds tend to reflect the difficulty level. If you like a player to go deep and also feel that his team will come out on top, then the home run and moneyline parlay is an option to consider.
How to bet on Major League Baseball
Most regular season home runs
You can also place bets on which player will have the most home runs during the regular season. There are typically a few favorites at the top of the board and lines for all of the game’s top sluggers.
Which players led the league in home runs last season?
Looking back to last season, the home run king finished with a sizable cushion, but a number of other top sluggers put up impressive totals of their own.
| Player | Team | Position | HRs |
| Aaron Judge | New York Yankees | CF | 62 |
| Kyle Schwarber | Philadelphia Phillies | DH | 46 |
| Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels | CF | 40 |
| Pete Alonso | New York Mets | 1B | 40 |
| Austin Riley | Atlanta Braves | 3B | 38 |
| Yordan Alvarez | Houston Astros | LF | 37 |
| Christian Walker | Arizona Diamondbacks | 1B | 36 |
| Paul Goldschmidt | St. Louis Cardinals | 1B | 35 |
| Mookie Betts | Los Angeles Dodgers | RF | 35 |
| Rowdy Tellez | Milwaukee Brewers | 1B | 35 |
| Matt Olson | Atlanta Braves | 1B | 34 |
| Shohei Ohtani | Los Angeles Angels | DH | 34 |
| Corey Seager | Texas Rangers | SS | 33 |
| Anthony Santander | Baltimore Orioles | RF | 33 |
| Anthony Rizzo | New York Yankees | 1B | 32 |
| Manny Machado | San Diego Padres | 3B | 32 |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Toronto Blue Jays | 1B | 32 |
| Giancarlo Stanton | New York Yankees | DH | 31 |
| Eugenio Suarez | Seattle Mariners | 3B | 31 |
| Willy Adames | Milwaukee Brewers | SS | 31 |
Home run betting factors to consider
Just like any other MLB bet, there are no guarantees when it comes to betting on home runs. However, there are some factors to think about while handicapping the possibilities to help narrow down the field of candidates.
- Weather: The direction and severity of the wind can impact the trajectory of the ball.
- Ballpark: Some ballparks are geared toward offense, while others are more favorable for pitchers and defense.
- Batter vs. pitcher matchup: Historical batter-versus-pitcher data can help point out potentially favorable matchups.
- Batting lineup: Is the batter hitting in his usual spot in the order, or has there been a shift in the lineup?
- Current form: Just like any other athletes, MLB hitters and pitchers will go through hot and cold streaks.
- Game over/under: The pregame line for total runs is just an estimate, but it can be a useful gauge of what to expect on the offensive front.
Other MLB batter props
Home run bets are popular, but they’re far from the only hitter props on the menu. Here’s a sampling of what else is available for wagering:
- Player to record a hit or multiple hits
- Over/under on total bases
- Runs batted in
- Runs scored
- Hits + runs + RBIs
- Stolen bases
- First hit, run or RBI
- Strikeouts, singles, doubles, triples and walks
Which sportsbook has the best odds for betting on home runs?
Betting odds for MLB games and props can vary by sportsbook due to betting action and other factors, but the numbers tend to be relatively in line across the industry. There is no one sportsbook that will always have the best odds on a particular wager.
Before placing a bet, take the time to line shop and compare the odds at multiple sportsbooks. Our live odds feed above can help you scout out the options.