MLB Betting: The World Series
by Bodog Sportsbook | Oct 27 2009
Here come the Boys of November.
The World Series starts Wednesday with the New York Yankees hosting the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies. Expectations are high for a competitive series, but according to the
baseball betting odds, it's all New York. The series price on the Yankees is –200; the Phillies are +170 to earn their revenge for getting swept by the Bronx Bombers back in 1950.
The Yankees (7-2 SU, 4.99 units in the postseason) have the home-field advantage thanks to the American League winning the All-Star Game 4-3. But the Phillies (7-2 SU, 4.61 units) get to play the critical Games 3, 4 and 5 at Citizens Bank Park. And they were a better away team (48-33, 12.56 units) during the regular season than at home (45-36, -8.09 units). New York was a league-best 57-24 (9.39 units) at new Yankee Stadium and 46-35 (2.39 units) on the road.
Reports suggest both teams will go with three-man rotations for the World Series. Here are the schedule and the projected starters for the first four games, all on FOX.
Wed., Oct. 28 (7:57 p.m. ET): Cliff Lee vs. CC Sabathia
Thu., Oct. 29 (7:57 p.m. ET): Pedro Martinez vs. A.J. Burnett
Sat., Oct 31 (7:57 p.m. ET): Andy Pettitte vs. Cole Hamels
Sun., Nov. 1 (8:20 p.m. ET): CC Sabathia vs. Cliff Lee
Both teams appear confident going with their aces on short rest, but the assignments could certainly change after that, depending on how things develop. Sabathia (3.37 ERA, 1.15 WHIP in the regular season) has three wins in three playoff starts, allowing just one run in each game and completing eight innings twice against the Los Angeles Angels. Lee (3.39 ERA, 1.13 WHIP in 12 starts with the Phillies) has been even more dominant, giving up a total of two runs in leading Philly to the pay window three times and pitching a complete game against the Colorado Rockies in Game 1 of the NLDS.
Two differences jump out in the Sabathia-Lee comparison. One, Sabathia faced more difficult opposition in the American League with its designated hitters. Two, Lee watched his bullpen cough up the lead in Game 4 of the NLDS before the Phillies scored three runs in the ninth to win 5-4. The Yankees bullpen has a team ERA of 2.28 in 27.2 innings of playoff work; Philadelphia's relievers have a combined 3.24 ERA after 25 innings.
The Phillies have made up for it at the plate with an .840 team OPS to lead all eight playoff teams. New York is in second in OPS at .800; each team has 14 home runs after nine games. Philly's lineup will look more potent with Raul Ibanez (.899 OPS in the regular season) expected to DH while Ben Francisco (.843 OPS with the Phillies) mans left field. Matt Stairs (.735 OPS) is more likely to DH when the right-handed Burnett takes the mound in Game 2.
Our
MLB betting odds at press time had Sabathia and the Yankees priced at -165 for Game 1 with a total of eight runs. Alex Rodriguez is the 4-1 favorite to win World Series MVP.
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