World Series Predictions - Pedro's "Daddy" will spank him as Yankees clinch the series

Our World Series predictions for 2009 may come to a close tonight in MLB betting as the New York Yankees host the Philadelphia Phillies for Game 6. The Bronx Bombers send Andy Pettitte, Major League Baseball’s all-time playoff wins leader, to the mound. Philly counters with future Hall-of-Famer Pedro Martinez. As they may learn tonight, starting Pedro on the road again could cost the Phillies the Fall Classic.

World Series predictions: Only a matter of time before Yankee fans get to Martinez Pedro Martinez’s road ERA this regular season was 5.66; his home ERA was 1.88 Andy Pettitte pitching well at home in the playoffs but Jayson Werth has his number Pedro Martinez is winless in last five playoff starts against Yankees

Tonight, 7:57 p.m. ET
Phillies vs Yankees odds: Phillies +173, Yankees -208
Pedro Martinez (0-1, 4.50) vs Andy Pettitte (1-0, 6.00)

Time will tell if Charlie Manuel will regret not starting Cliff Lee on short rest in Game 4. If he had, Pedro Martinez could’ve faced the Yankees at home in Game 5. At Citizens Bank Park this season, Pedro’s ERA was 1.88. On the road, it was 5.66. By holding Lee until Game 5, Manuel pushed Pedro to a road start in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium. Martinez was adequate in the Bronx in Game 2, allowing three earned runs over six innings and striking out eight. He wasn’t untouchable, however; Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui took him deep and Pedro was saddled with the loss, exiting the field to a chorus of “Who’s your daddy?” chants form the Yankee faithful.

It’s entirely possible that Pedro’s Game 2 effort was the best he can do at Yankee Stadium; considering that he’s winless in his last six appearances and five starts versus the Yankees in the postseason, can online betting fans seriously expect a sparkling performance from him tonight?

In Andy Pettitte, the Yankees know what they have tonight. He’s reliable without being dominant at home. We know he struggles with the gopher ball – lefty masher Jayson Werth tagged him for two deep flies in Game 3 – but the sportsbook odds of a complete Pettitte implosion are slim. He’s comfortable at home and showed that in his lone Yankee Stadium start this postseason, holding the Angels to one run over 6.1 innings on October 25.

DALE’S PICK: Since the aging Martinez and Pettitte struggle to keep the ball in the park now, we should expect another high-scoring affair in Game 6. However, the decision to start Pedro on the road will be costly. He could totally crumble while Pettitte does just enough to give his team the lead late in the game. If the Yankees take a lead even into the eighth inning, they’ll likely turn to Mariano Rivera for a two-inning save. If they do, the Fall Classic is all but over. Pick the Yankees to clinch tonight.

Phillies vs Yankees Betting Edge: Yankees -208

If the Phillies extend the series, check the Betting Edge tomorrow for more World Series predictions from Dale Lalonde at BetOnline.com.

Dale Lalonde is BetOnline.com's MLB expert.