Baseball is unique among major sports — the starting pitcher determines the game more than any single player in other sports. Here is how to use that and other factors to improve your MLB predictions on PredictVS.

1. Starting Pitching Is Everything

The starting pitcher accounts for a massive portion of a team's win probability. An ace like a Cy Young contender facing a back-of-the-rotation starter can swing the moneyline by 100+ points. Always check who is on the mound before filling out your prop sheet.

2. Lefty/Righty Splits Matter

MLB hitters have dramatically different stats against left-handed and right-handed pitchers. A lineup stacked with right-handed batters will struggle more against a dominant righty. Check the platoon splits when making run total and player prop predictions.

3. Ballpark Factors

Coors Field in Denver inflates offense significantly. Petco Park and Oracle Park suppress runs. The ballpark affects totals predictions more than most people realize. Always factor in the venue when predicting over/under on runs.

4. Bullpen Fatigue

If a team's bullpen pitched heavily in the previous two games, their late-inning relievers will be less effective. This is especially important for totals — tired bullpens give up more runs in the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings.

5. Weather and Wind

Wind blowing out at Wrigley Field can add 2-3 runs to the total. Hot, humid weather carries the ball further. Cold weather suppresses offense. Check the weather forecast for outdoor stadiums before making your picks.

6. Early Season vs Late Season

Early-season baseball (April) is less predictable because sample sizes are small and pitchers are still building up. By June, trends stabilize and prediction accuracy improves. Adjust your confidence level based on the time of season.

7. Run Line Value

The MLB run line (typically -1.5 / +1.5) offers different value than the moneyline. Favorites who win often win by 2+ runs, making the -1.5 run line a good value play for dominant pitching matchups. On PredictVS, run line predictions can earn strong points when you read the matchup correctly.

Build Your MLB Prop Sheet

Start with the pitching matchup, check the ballpark, review bullpen availability, and then fill out your prop sheet on PredictVS. Baseball rewards research more than any other sport — the more you dig into the matchup, the better your predictions will be.