World Series Betting - Red Sox, Yankees still head list of World Series favorites
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UPDATE: Current World Series odds
NEW YORK YANKEES +185BOSTON RED SOX +545
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES +645
LOS ANGELES DODGERS +645
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS +645
LOS ANGELES ANGELS +1015
COLORADO ROCKIES +1415
DETROIT TIGERS +2050
World Series odds are up and we’ve seen the list shrink down to eight teams as other contenders fall out of the MLB playoff betting race. Let’s break down the remaining teams’ chances to win the Fall Classic.
New York Yankees (+185)
Topping the overall standings by a wide margin and already safe with home-field advantage through the playoffs, the New York Yankees remain the team to beat. No team, at least in the American league, can match their lineup, which combines, power, speed and clutch-game experience. From 1 through 9 – Jeter? Teixeira? Cano? Matsui? – someone can beat you every night. New York needs A.J. Burnett to find himself in the rotation, however, since Joba Chamberlain has become useless. Boston Red Sox (+545)
The Red Sox are certainly limping into the playoffs, but we can’t underestimate them. In a short series, they still lead with Josh Beckett and Jon Lester, who hold a candle to any other one-two punch in baseball. Boston also has plenty of talent in its lineup but it remains to be seen whether Jason Bay can become a clutch playoff performer. Philadelphia Phillies (+645)
The Defending champs have coasted of late but don’t underestimate their sportsbook odds. They have the NL’s deepest rotation with Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ and either Pedro Martinez or Jamie Moyer. Their potent lineup also boasts four 30-home-run hitters. The bullpen is Philly’s only weakness. Los Angeles Dodgers (+645)
A deep group of hitters who also play strong defense and run well makes L.A. built for the playoffs. However, L.A.’s starting pitching is shaky. If Chad Billingsley can’t hit the plate and scrubs like Jon Garland don’t continue their surprising success, the Dodgers may get ousted quickly. St. Louis Cardinals (+645)
The Cards aren’t the deepest team around, but they know how to win and boast some elite top-end talent. Albert Pujols needs no introduction; Matt Holliday gives St. Louis a legit secondary threat. The Chris Carpenter-Adam Wainwright-Joel Pineiro trio, maybe the best in baseball, could be a major X-factor in the World Series odds. Los Angeles Angels (+1015)
Perhaps because they lose in the first round so often, the Angels are an online sports betting afterthought despite winning the AL West. Their underrated hitting lineup has a knack for getting on base; L.A. led the majors in batting average, ranked second in runs and ranked third in steals. Pitching is a real wild card, though. Can Ervin Santana and John Lackey stay consistent in the playoffs? Colorado Rockies (+1415)
The Rockies repeatedly defy the odds, getting by with what seems to be a less talented roster than the other contenders have. Troy Tulowitzki is carrying Colorado on his back, posting MVP-caliber numbers in the second half. The Rockies’ rotation doesn’t look formidable save for Ubaldo Jimenez but overachievers like Jason Marquis and Jorge De La Rosa keep churning out quality starts. Detroit Tigers (+2050)
Definitely the black sheep of the group (as would be the Twins if they steal the division), the Tigers have to hope their young pitchers’ talent trumps their inexperience. Edwin Jackson didn’t start any games for Tampa last year, so he’s essentially a playoff rookie; Rick Porcello has no playoff experience either. Justin Verlander – and Miguel Cabrera on offense – have to be perfect for the Tigers’ flawed roster to steal a series.
For full World Series odds, check out our betonline.com sportsbook. For sports betting tips throughout the MLB playoffs, keep reading the Betting Edge at betonline.com. Dale Lalonde is betonline.com's MLB expert.
