Posted on: August 20, 2025, 05:19h.
Last updated on: August 20, 2025, 05:25h.
- Insights from Caesars Sportsbook’s Head of Baseball on MLB Betting Trends
- Focus shifts towards the Brewers and Blue Jays
- Yankees gaining traction in the AL East
As we enter the late summer phase, Major League Baseball action intensifies. Interest in MLB betting is witnessing a surge, according to Eric Biggio, who leads the Baseball division at Caesars Sportsbook.
Yankees Gaining Momentum
Current headlines reveal the New York Yankees making strides in the American East (with four consecutive victories, trailing the first-place Toronto Blue Jays by 4.5 games) following a challenging July. The Yankees smashed nine home runs in a decisive 13-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies, leading the New York Mets by six games in the National League East, are dealing with a setback as one of their star pitchers, Zack Wheeler (10-4, 2.71 ERA), lands on the injured list due to a blood clot in his shoulder. Wheeler underwent a thrombolysis procedure on Monday, leaving his return date uncertain. This development puts a damper on the burgeoning MVP discussions surrounding Kyle Schwarber.
Brewers Capture Betting Interest
The Mets remain a compelling team to watch. After holding a 1.5-game advantage over the Phillies on July 27, they struggled in August, suffering sweeps at the hands of the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, and Milwaukee Brewers.
Now, with the second-highest payroll in baseball, trailing only the L.A. Dodgers, the Mets find themselves one game ahead of the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL wildcard position.
From a betting perspective, Biggio emphasizes the major narrative surrounding the impressive performance of the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Brewers hold a formidable record of 79-47, leading the Chicago Cubs by seven games in the National League Central.
MVP Betting Landscape Evolving
“Our perspective has shifted from needing the Brewers to succeed in the World Series to now facing potential losses if they emerge victorious,” he commented. “Daily, we’re noticing a growing public interest, making them a significant betting consideration.”
As the leading team in baseball, the Brewers are listed at +750 at Caesars Sportsbook for the World Series win, following the Dodgers (+325) and the Phillies (+650).
“The American League MVP race is equally exciting, with Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh prominently contending,” Biggio noted. “Significant bets are being placed on Cal Raleigh at longer odds, making it a key betting market for us.”
When inquiring about which MLB teams are generating substantial betting interest, the Brewers continue to take center stage.
Bettors Favor the Blue Jays
“The Toronto Blue Jays are currently garnering attention as well,” he added. “Bettors remain interested in the Yankees and Dodgers, so if those teams excel, it could be a challenging day for us behind the counter.”
“At the season’s onset, the betting strategy was to fade the Rockies daily, necessitating careful adjustments. We expected money to flow against whoever faced Colorado. Fortunately, they have shown improved competitiveness since the All-Star break, which has lessened the influx of bets against them.”
Impact of Starting Pitchers
Since starting pitchers play a crucial role in determining game outcomes, the Cy Young contenders, Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes, have made significant impacts in setting moneylines, runlines, and over/under odds.
“Bettors are particularly keen on overs for strikeouts and unders for game totals, often betting against their opponents,” Biggio explained.
“One of the critical trends revolves around how teams manage their starting pitchers. For instance, pitch counts are often limited, and teams like to minimize innings for players such as Paul Skenes.
In-Play Betting on the Rise
Similarly, athletes like Shohei Ohtani are also being handled conservatively by the Dodgers, who have reduced his starts to two to three innings. This creates challenges for setting over/under strikeout markets when predicting their innings pitched.
According to Austin Topel, Caesars Sportsbook’s In-Play Baseball Lead, live betting for MLB is currently seeing a healthy amount of activity, particularly during this slower sports period.
Ohtani’s Betting Attention
“While we anticipate a gradual decline as football season kicks in, activity will likely surge again with playoff baseball,” he stated. “When it comes to real-time odds adjustments, our baseball model allows us to generate new prices as the game progresses.”
“With just a few clicks, our traders can further fine-tune the odds based on the circumstances. Sometimes, we prefer to align with market trends, while other times, we react promptly to significant offensive opportunities as they arise. Each game presents unique factors for consideration, and our approach can vary accordingly.”