World Series Game 1 Odds
(The Spread) – The 2011 World Series kicks off tonight at 8:05PM ET from St. Louis, where the Cardinals are favored over the Rangers.
TEXAS: The Rangers are appearing in their second Fall Classic in as many years after losing to the Giants in last year’s world Series. They needed all five games in order to knock off the Rays in the ALDS and then six games to finally finish off the Tigers in the ALCS. They finished the regular season with a 96-66 overall record, while the over hit in 85 of their 162 games this season. Adrian Beltre led the team with 32 home runs, but it’s been Nelson Cruz that has carried them in the postseason thus far. He’s hit a home run in each of his last three games and has six long balls total in his last six outings.
ST. LOUIS: Nobody expected the Cardinals to be here – not even them. They were sitting 10.5 games back of the Braves in the Wild Card before Atlanta collapsed in September. St. Louis took advantage of the gift by shocking the Phillies in the NLCS and then overpowering the Brewers in the NLCS. Led by the best hitter in the game, Albert Pujols, the sky is now the limit for the feel-good Cardinals. They’re truly playing with house money right now and thanks to the National League’s victory over the American League in the All-Star Game, St. Louis will also have home field advantage in this year’s Fall Classic.
View Current World Series Odds
GAME 1 PITCHING MATCHUP: The embattled C.J. Wilson will take the mound for the Rangers after leading the team in ERA (2.94) during the regular season. He’s struggled in the postseason, however, dropping two of his three games and taking a no decision at home against the Tigers in Game 1 of the ALCS. He’ll oppose Chris Carpenter, who has been outstanding thus far in the playoffs. Not only did he pitch a complete game shutout against the Astros on the final game of the season to aid the Cardinals in making the postseason, but he also threw nine scoreless innings to beat the Phillies in Philadelphia during Game 5 of the NLCS as well. He’s been fantastic.
GAME 1 ODDS: The Cardinals are currently listed as –118 money line favorites over the Rangers, who are +111 on the ML. The over/under total for this game is currently sitting at 7.5 runs.
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