The betting sites are still holding fast to the notion that the Texas Rangers are the favorites to win the 2011 World Series. But like Breeder’s Cup betting, the odds can change quickly. The Rangers’ World Series odds are -165 while the Cardinals have been given a line of +145. After watching the way that St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa dismantled the Texas offense in game one, it is hard to bet against the Cardinals anymore.
In game one, the price per head sports fans in St. Louis watched as LaRussa moved pitchers in and out of the line up in situational moves that only a virtuoso could have made. By the time it was over, LaRussa’s bullpen had not given up any runs and only one hit to a very potent Texas batting order. Texas manager Ron Washington did his best to keep pace, but his team could never close the one-run deficit.
As the series heads back to Texas, the Rangers have to answer a lot of questions. The biggest intertops question for the Rangers is whether or not it can generate offense against this St. Louis bullpen. With LaRussa pulling the strings and bringing in relievers for only one-third or two-thirds of an inning, the Cardinals’ bullpen could keep this up the entire series. That is very bad news for the Rangers. The Rangers’ pitching can keep up with the St. Louis hitting, but if the Rangers cannot generate offense then the Rangers cannot win baseball games.
Pick: St. .Louis Cardinals in five
