Frequently Asked Questions

FastballHQ is a free MLB slate review tool: every game day we publish schedule context, over/under lines, and a proprietary FQ Score for each matchup — built on quantitative models (not a paid human tout). The goal is a quick, readable scan of the board without spreadsheet noise. We are not a licensed sportsbook; nothing here is betting or financial advice. Full disclaimer →

For a longer walkthrough of lines and how the slate updates, see our site guide in the Digest.

No. FastballHQ is a pure analytics and information service. We don't take bets, operate a sportsbook, or serve as a tipster service. We publish model-generated analysis. What you do with that information is your decision. Read our full disclaimer →

Yes — picks, scores, and analysis on FastballHQ are free to access. No subscription or login required.

The board follows a daily MLB rhythm, with live game status while action is underway. Lines and model reads typically firm up through the morning Eastern as probable starters are confirmed and markets settle; totals can still move right up to first pitch. Open a game page for the analysis timestamp when we show one — it is a freshness cue alongside first-pitch time.

FastballHQ does not syndicate picks from a third-party tout. The signals you see are produced by our internal model, which weighs recent team trends, starting-pitcher quality, line movement, and league-wide patterns. Think of them as a structured starting point for your own homework — not a guaranteed recommendation.

No. We display market-style numbers for information only and are not affiliated with or sponsored by any operator. Lines can differ by book and jurisdiction. If you choose to wager, use a licensed sportsbook where you live, set limits, and gamble responsibly. You must be 18+ (or 21+ in some US states).

Moneyline is picking the winner (favorites show negative American odds; underdogs positive). Run line is baseball’s 1.5-run spread. Totals (over/under) are combined runs for the game. FastballHQ’s published signals center on match totals; the home board also shows moneylines when the feed supplies them.

FQ Score is our headline momentum read for each game: the value is signed — positive leans Over the listed total, negative leans Under. Magnitude reflects how far the model sits from neutral for that matchup.

The signal label (Over / Under / none) appears when the read crosses the published strength bars on Picks Today and the board; most games sit below that bar, which simply means we are not publishing a highlighted lean. The full recipe stays in-house by design.

For game totals, we only highlight games that clear a published strength bar for Over or Under — the exact cut is shown on Picks Today and the board. It’s there to cut clutter, not to publish our math.

• Over — Lean toward the game going over the listed total.
• Under — Lean toward the game staying under the listed total.
• None / Watch — Below the published strength bar; no highlighted lean on the qualified board (the game page may still show the raw score).

Multiple layers of game, market, and situational signals feed the models; the recipe stays in-house. For philosophy only, see About — not a methodology whitepaper.

We publish our forecasts on Tipstrr, an independent third-party platform used to verify tipster results and track record. Our verified stats page: tipstrr.com/tipster/fastballhq/stats

Each day, qualified games are surfaced under our public rules: totals picks must clear the FQ bar on the relevant side. Editor’s Picks are chosen in the admin workflow for the slate.

Only games that qualified when we published them enter the record. Grading follows the same simple idea you’d expect for totals — we don’t rewrite history to fit a narrative. Track record →

Early-season reads use smaller samples, so signals are noisier until current-year data piles up. We publish a running results page so you can judge the full graded history yourself — wins, losses, and pushes — without cherry-picking. No model beats closing lines reliably over a full season, and past results are not a promise of what happens next.

Not currently. We focus on game totals. Spreads and moneyline picks are outside the current scope.

We work from professional-grade feeds and curated inputs so numbers stay in line with what serious markets use. Sources and vendors are not something we publish — that’s operational detail, not product.

Email [email protected] with the game and what you saw. We review reports promptly.