Trying to preserve game integrity
Major League Baseball (MLB) has collaborated with sportsbooks to establish limits on bets involving individual pitches to safeguard the integrity of the games. Even though the season just concluded, effective immediately, all “MLB Authorized Gaming Operators” are capping bets on “pitch-level markets” at a $200 maximum. These bets are also banned from being part of parlays.
difficult to detect in real time
While the league clarifies that parlays are not as threatening to game integrity as other bets, they indicate that bets on individual pitches present increased risks for a couple of reasons: 1) they are controlled by a single player, and 2) they are often “inconsequential” in the larger context of the game and likely more difficult to detect in real time.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred highlighted that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine led this initiative. DeWine has been critical of the sports betting industry since sports betting was legalized in Ohio at the start of 2023. He also called for a ban on prop bets this summer.
Clase conspired with bettors to manipulate pitches
The action by MLB and sportsbooks – covering 98% of the US market according to the league – follows the indictment of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz for manipulating their performance for betting purposes. They were charged with fraud, conspiracy, and bribery by prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York.
Though Ortiz was initially placed on leave in July, Clase was identified in the 23-page indictment as the main participant in the gambling scheme dating back to 2023. Prosecutors cited an early example where Clase informed bettors he would throw a pitch over 94.95 mph. Weeks later, he committed to throwing a pitch under the same speed, leading to a $65,000 win for those he informed.
accepted money to throw balls on specific pitches
Throughout the following two seasons, Clase accepted money to intentionally throw balls on certain pitches; he often pitched into the dirt to ensure they wouldn’t be strikes.
Clase was once caught when the Dodgers’ Andy Pages swung and missed at a low, outside pitch:
Ortiz joined scheme, quickly discovered
Ortiz became involved on June 15, 2025, and was placed on leave less than three weeks later during the investigation. Clase arranged for Ortiz to receive $5,000 for throwing a ball on the first pitch of the second inning against the Seattle Mariners. Clase also received $5,000 for his involvement; two bettors wagered $13,000 on that pitch.
Ortiz repeated this on June 27, 2025, taking $7,000 to throw a ball on the first pitch of the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals. Bettors placed $18,000 on the pitch.
Complicating matters,
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com