Yankees Rangers Favored in World Series Betting
In what has been an exciting 2012 MLB season so far, two teams have emerged as the big betting favorites to win the 2012 World Series - the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers, both from the American League.
After around 85 games, the New York Yankees head up the AL East division on 52-33, while the Texas Rangers head up the AL Central division on 51-34. Both of these teams have excelled this season, but there is no doubt the team that has shined the brightest is the one from New York, who have managed to outclass many of their rivals.
What's more, the Yankees seem to be getting even better as the season progresses. Consider that barely a month ago the Yankees were just six games over .500, but will now go into the All-Star break with the best record and lead of the entire league. Much credit for this achievement has been laid at the feet of top Yankees manager, Joe Girardi.
NY Yankees Manage to Dig Deep to Win
Clearly Girardi has been successful in inspiring the team to keep up their high level of play and show their competition no mercy. The team's most recent 3-1 series victory over the Boston Red Sox is ample proof of this. While the Yankees had issues with their pitching early on, they did what they do so well - dig deep to win in the end.
If there was a scale that measures 'matchplay temperament', the Yankees would have hit the top of it ages ago, which just goes to show how important the mental aspect of baseball, and indeed all sports, is. What's more, the NY Yankees have managed to keep up their high level of play despite suffering from a slew of injuries of late.
With such stars as CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera and Brett Gardner out with injuries, their teammates have had to step up, which they have. Consider Andruw Jones, who hit his fourth home run in three games against Boston, or Ivan Nova who got his mojo back after striking out 10 in six innings, allowing only two runs and six hits.
Texas Rangers Have Dazzled this Season
Looking at the Texas Rangers, they too have dazzled this season, both in their division and the league. And just like the Yankees, the Rangers are also getting better as the season progresses. In their most recent series against the Minnesota Twins, which they won 2-1, they showed a level of skill and teamwork that could very well propel them all the way to the 2012 World Series, and ultimate victory.
Here are the current 2012 World Series betting odds at Canadian-friendly online sportsbook, Bodog.
2012 World Series Winner Odds
New York Yankees - 5/1
Texas Rangers - 5/1
Los Angeles Angels - 11/1
Washington Nationals - 11/1
Cincinnati Reds - 14/1
San Francisco Giants - 14/1
Detroit Tigers - 16/1
Tampa Bay Rays - 18/1
Atlanta Braves - 20/1
Boston Red Sox - 20/1
Los Angeles Dodgers - 20/1
St Louis Cardinals - 20/1
Chicago White Sox - 22/1
Philadelphia Phillies - 25/1
Arizona Diamondbacks - 40/1
Miami Marlins - 40/1
New York Mets - 40/1
Toronto Blue Jays - 40/1
Baltimore Orioles - 50/1
Cleveland Indians - 50/1
Pittsburgh Pirates - 50/1
Milwaukee Brewers - 100/1
Kansas City Royals - 250/1
Oakland Athletics - 250/1
Colorado Rockies - 400/1
Houston Astros - 500/1
Minnesota Twins - 500/1
Chicago Cubs - 750/1
San Diego Padres - 750/1
