What Does -1.5 Run Line Mean in MLB Betting?

While betting on moneylines is as simple as picking which team will win the game, wagering on run lines is a bit more complicated for MLB betting.

If a team is -1.5 on the run line in BetMGM’s MLB odds, that likely means they are considered the favorite for that game. The vig for the run line will vary by team and game, but the wager will be graded on the final score.

To cover the run line of -1.5, a team must win by two or more runs for the wager to be successful. If the team wins by one run or loses the game, it will be graded as a losing ticket.

If a game needs extra innings, that is included in the final score for run line wagers.

Example of -1.5 Run Line in MLB Betting

Arizona Diamondbacks (+1.5, -165) at Los Angeles Dodgers (-1.5, +140)

In this scenario, the Dodgers are -145 moneyline favorites as the home team. However, they have +140 odds to win the game by two or more runs.

The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, are +120 moneyline underdogs and -165 to cover a +1.5 run line spread.

If someone bets on the Dodgers’ run line, they’d need them to win by two or more runs for their ticket to be graded as a winner. Any other example means the wager loses.

Here are some examples:

• Dodgers 5, Diamondbacks 3: Los Angeles covers.
• Dodgers 4, Diamondbacks 3: Arizona covers.
• Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 3: Arizona covers and wins outright.

Payout for -1.5 Run Line in MLB Betting

The odds accompanying the run line will determine the payout. They will vary based on the vig.

In the above Diamondbacks-Dodgers scenario, the +140 odds on Los Angeles’ run line means a $10 bet would net $14 in profit. The bet would return a total of $24, including the stake.

As for the Diamondbacks’ side of the wager, a $10 bet would lead to $6.06 of winnings. The bet would return a payout of $16.06, including the stake.