Looking At The Best And Worst World Series Scenarios For 2011

With roughly two and a half months left in the sports betting MLB season, fans and experts alike are beginning to think of the best and worst possible World Series finals for the 2011 season. This year has been one of the more intriguing MLB betting seasons, as many teams that by all accounts should have been out of the playoff hunt by now remain intact. Today, we will be looking at the best and worst case scenarios for the 2011 MLB World Series.

According to the MLB standings, if the playoffs started today, the teams to make the post season would be Boston, Detroit, Texas and New York in the AL and Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Francisco and Atlanta in the NL. However, for all intents and purposes, we are basing this article on how we believe the final standings will turn out.

In our scenario, Boston, Cleveland, Texas and New York are the AL playoff teams. Meanwhile, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Arizona are the NL playoff teams. Here are a couple of the best and worst scenarios for these eight teams.

Best Scenarios:

Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies – On paper, this World Series final is literally a baseball fans dream, as the two best teams in the entire MLB, get to find out who truly is the best. Boston’s incredible offense would go toe to toe with Philadelphia’s outstanding pitching staff.

New York Yankees vs. Arizona Diamondbacks – In a rematch of the 2001 World Series, New York and Arizona would put together a great series. Now, at first glance, many would believe that the Yankees should sweep Arizona. However, consider that Arizona has been one of the best teams in the NL this year, and fans have plenty to get excited about. Similar to the Red Sox vs. Phillies World Series, this would feature a hitting verses pitching match again.

Texas Rangers vs. San Francisco Giants – For the second year in a row, the high powered Rangers would take on the flame throwing Giants. This time, we believe that Texas could win the World Series, as their pitching staff is more diversified than the 2010 World Series runners up team.

Worst Scenarios:

Cleveland Indians vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – In the world of sports, the resurgence of the Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates has been one of the most feel good stories ever. Yet, having said that, this World Series would be one of the worst from a viewership standpoint, since nobody but either team’s fans would watch. Both Cleveland and Pittsburgh have developed decent teams, but can they really make it this far?

Texas Rangers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks – Playing in two of the hottest States in America, the Ranger and Diamondbacks would be a bad series because the Rangers would obliterate the Diamondbacks.

Baseball Betting: White Sox Look To Make Ground In AL Central Versus Tigers

The Chicago White Sox have been one of the bigger surprises in baseball again this season, and once again it is for all of the wrong reasons. The team that was picked to be among the best in baseball this season has struggled and is looking up at two teams in the American League Central alone. One of the teams that the White Sox are looking up at is the Detroit Tigers, which makes the three-game sports betting set between these two teams that much more important.

Detroit Tigers @ Chicago White Sox

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 – 8:10 PM ET

US Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois

MLB Betting Pick: Detroit Tigers – 110

The White Sox cannot afford to slide any further out of contention, while Detroit will look to this series as an opportunity to gain some ground on both Chicago and the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central. The Tigers haven’t been great on the road this season, but neither has the White Sox at home.

MLB Betting Preview: Detroit Tigers

The Tigers cannot perform at a .500 level on the road and make a World Series run, so whether or not they hold on to first place the focus for the remainder of the season should be on performing regardless of where they play. Detroit will have a strong shot to get the win on Tuesday with their ace Justin Verlander on the mound, as he won’t ask the offense to do too much to help him. Verlander is 13-5 with a 2.24 ERA, and he has allowed more than one earned run just once through his past nine MLB starts. Jhonny Peralta has been a pleasant surprise with his .322 average, and he is surrounded by a ton of offensive talent.

MLB Betting Preview: Chicago White Sox

The White Sox record at home is simply inexcusable, as is the play of hitters such as Adam Dunn, who symbolize all that is wrong with the team so far this season. Dunn will need to do something to help Chicago get to Verlander, while the pressure will be on veteran Jake Peavy, who has also struggled mightily this season. Peavy is 4-4 on the year but his inflated 5.19 ERA is the worst of his career, and he could be in trouble against one of the most powerful offenses in the majors.

MLB Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick

The Tigers have too much firepower for the White Sox to compete with as long as Peavy is on the mound, and considering how good Verlander has been it doesn’t look like Chicago’s chances at home are very good once again. Detroit is alone out front in the AL Central, but not by much, and will need this win to push the White Sox even further away while keeping some distance between them and the Cleveland Indians in the race for the sports betting bonus division title.

Gambling Advisor blog Pick: Detroit Tigers - 110