What Does ‘Listed Pitchers’ Mean in Sports Betting?
When you place a bet, sportsbooks will often give you the option to make it a “Listed Pitchers” bet (sometimes called “LP” or “Both Specified Pitchers”).
This means your bet is only valid if both of the scheduled starting pitchers—the ones listed when you made the bet—actually start the game.
How It Works
Starting pitchers are the single most important factor in baseball betting. The odds are set based on the two guys scheduled to throw the first pitch.
“Listed Pitchers” is your insurance policy against a last-minute change.
- You Win If: You bet on the Yankees (with Gerrit Cole listed as the starter) and the Red Sox (with Chris Sale listed). If both Cole and Sale throw the first pitch for their teams, your bet is active.
- Your Bet is Canceled If: You place that same bet, but 30 minutes before the game, Gerrit Cole is scratched due to an injury. Because one of the “Listed Pitchers” didn’t start, the sportsbook will void your bet and refund your money.
This is called “No Action.” You don’t win, but you don’t lose. Your original bet is just returned to you.
“Listed Pitchers” vs. “Action”
This is the key choice you have to make:
- Listed Pitchers: Your bet is locked to the starting pitchers. If there’s a change, your bet is voided.
- Action: You are betting on a team regardless of who pitches. If Gerrit Cole is scratched, your bet on the Yankees still counts (often at the original, now-terrible, odds).
Most of the time, betting “Listed Pitchers” is the safer, more common-sense choice. You’re betting on a specific matchup, and if that matchup changes, you get your money back.