Get a $500 Bonus on a $500 Deposit at BetUS!

Rays/Phillies World Series Predictions & Betting Odds

The Phillies made relatively easy work of the red hot Dodgers with timely hitting and great starting pitching to reach the World Series. The Rays appeared to be headed on much the same path, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead before it looked like the Red Sox would come back from the dead yet again. The Rays hung in there and now they will host the Phillies in game 1 of the 2008 MLB World Series. Odds makers have listed the Rays as the -140 favorites to win the Series.

The Tampa Bay Rays have made one of the most remarkable turnarounds in MLB history and they would like nothing more than to put the icing on the cake with a World Series championship in the 104th edition of the fall classic.

We all expected the Rays to take a step forward this season as their young talent continued to mature, but we did not foresee an AL East title and now an AL Championship.

Just one season removed from finishing with a MLB-worst 96 losses, Tampa Bay rattled off 97 regular season wins and has not slowed down yet. Only the Atlanta Braves have reached the World Series a year after finishing with the worst record in the majors.

Tampa Bay made quick work of the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS, taking down the AL Central champs in four games. It appeared that they would dominate the defending champion Red Sox too, but they needed seven games to prevail after blowing a 7-0 lead in the seventh inning of game five to give Boston some breathing room. Matt Garza was sensational in Tampa Bay’s game 7 win and he took home ALCS MVP honors.

The pitching has been consistent and even sensational all season long for the Rays and it has definitley played a leading roll in getting them here. While the game 1 pitcher is not yet listed for the Rays, we expect manager Joe Maddon to go with southpaw Scott Kazmir in game 1, followed by James Shields, Garza, and Andy Sonnanstine.

Tampa Bay’s bats cannot be left out as they exploded during a key three-game winning streak in the ALCS. B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria have led the way. The two have combined for 14 homeruns this postseason, which is just shy of the postseason record held by Barry Bonds and Rich Aurilia in San Francisco in 2002.

Upton only notched nine homers in the regular season but has exploded to hit seven in these playoffs.

If anything will keep Tampa Bay from winning the Series, it will be the bullpen. With closer Troy Percival sidelined, Maddon has ran into some trouble with who he can rely on late in games.

Surprisingly, the Rays pen was very good in the regular season, but it has really struggled this fall. Dan Wheeler and Grant Balfour have taken their licks. While Percival could be activated for this Series, Maddon may have found a gem in the young David Price, who came in to close the door against the Red Sox in game 7.

Price is no unknown. This kid is expected to be a stud as we was the top overall draft pick in 2007. With a lot of lefties in the Phillies lineup, Price could see an increasing role in the World Series. If you like Tampa Bay to make history, bet the Rays at -140 to win the World Series at Bookmaker.

Philadelphia makes its first trip back to the World Series since 1993 and will be playing to win just the franchise’s second World Series in the last 125 years.

Philly captured its second straight NL East Division title thanks to another strong home stretch run while the New York Mets choked once again. Last postseason, the Phillies were swept in the opening round by the NL champion Colorado Rockies, but this year the Phillies have figured out a way to win.

They took care of a dangerous Milwaukee Brewers club in four games and then really outshined the Dodgers in the NLCS.

Ace Cole Hamels has been sensational. He has won all three of his postseason starts while posting a 1.23 ERA. The rest of the staff has not been nearly as solid. Brett Myers won both of his postseason starts and may be rounding into shape, but he was very up and down during the regular season. The 45-year-old southpaw Jamie Moyer has had a very tough go of it this postseason going 0-2 with a 13.50 ERA.

Offensively, we know about the big-name horses that the Phillies have and now you can add Shane Victorino to the list. The centerfielder has knocked in a club record 11 runs this postseason.

Chase Utley struggled in the NLDS, but looked much better against LA, going 6 of 17 and hitting a big two-run homer in game 1.

Surprisingly, former MVP Ryan Howard has not hit a homerun this postseason. He struggled clear up until the final games of the NLCS when he went 6 of 12 at the plate.

The good news is that the Phillies know what their stars are capable of, and if they’ve been able to win relatively easy without playing their best, they could be dominant if their play improves.

Philadelphia should have the advantage if the bullpen department if they take a lead into the late innings with Brad Lidge. Lidge has had a remarkable season, going a perfect 41 for 41 in save opportunities during the regular season and 5 for 5 during the postseason. If you think the Philadelphia has the right ingredients for a series win, bet the Phillies at +120 at Bookmaker and receive a 20% cash signup bonus.

You can check out the baseball odds for all of the World Series games at the top online sportsbooks in the industry right here at Locksmith Sports and the reigning MLB World Champion Handicapper will deliver with winning MLB picks on each and every game. Make sure you do your World Series MLB betting with Jimmy Boyd for the most winners in the fall classic.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

• MLB Betting Odds: Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets
• 2009 Tampa Bay Rays Odds & Predictions
• 2009 Philadelphia Phillies Odds & Predictions

Comments