Here are some of the latest MLB odds entering the second half of the season...

Odds to win the 2012 World Series     
New York Yankees - 9/2
Texas Rangers - 5/1
San Francisco Giants - 11/1
Washington Nationals - 11/1
Los Angeles Angels - 11/1
Detroit Tigers - 14/1
Cincinnati Reds - 14/1
St. Louis Cardinals - 20/1
Pittsburgh Pirates - 30/1

Odds to win the 2012 NL Pennant       
Washington Nationals - 9/2
San Francisco Giants- 9/2
Cincinnati Reds - 11/2
Los Angeles Dodgers - 7/1
Atlanta Braves - 7/1
St. Louis Cardinals - 8/1
Pittsburgh Pirates - 12/1

Odds to win the 2012 NL Central        
Cincinnati Reds - 1/1
St. Louis Cardinals - 2/1
Pittsburgh Pirates - 5/2
Milwaukee Brewers - 16/1

NL MVP - Odds to Win
Andrew McCutchen (PIT) - 4/1
David Wright (NYM) - 9/2
Joey Votto (CIN) - 9/2

NL Cy Young - Odds to Win   
R.A. Dickey (NYM) - 13/10
Johnny Cueto (CIN) - 4/1

COMPLETE ODDS (Bovada.com)

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The World Series didn't lack its fair share of storylines, but now it's over. The Phillies made sure they didn't have to travel back to Florida as they took care of business as Game 5 was continued on Wednesday night, beating the upstart Rays 4-3 and laying claim to their second title in franchise history.

It was something never before experienced in World Series' history, a game suspended after 5.5 innings and tied at 2-2.

It was odd last night watching the Rays warm-up both Grant Balfour, who pitched a scoreless inning of relief in Monday's monsoon and was in the game when it was suspended, and lefty J.P. Howell. The Phillies had Cole Hamels due up when the game resumed, forcing Charlie Manuel to start the game with a pinch hitter.

Veteran Geoff Jenkins was summoned from the bench and he delivered with a double to open up the evening. Jayson Werth drove him in with a double, giving the Phills a 3-2 edge. The Rays would fight back though. Rocco Baldelli, who was hitless in the series, quickly tied the game at 3-3 when he took Ryan Madsen deep.

The Phillies would get the decisive run of the game and the series when Pat Burrell, who was 0-for-13 in the series, doubled to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning. Manuel opted to pinch run  Eric Bruntlett. He moved up to third when Shane Victorino grounded to second after failing to get down a bunt. The Rays had to bring their infield in once again, and Pedro Feliz was able to guide a Chad Bradford pitch back through the middle, making it 4-3.

Brad Lidge, who didn't blow a save the entire year, locked down the win in the ninth, but not before the Rays had the tying run in scoring position. Evan Longoria popped out before Dioner Navarro broke his bat on a base hit to right field. Pinch-runner Fernando Perez stole second base, but pinch-hitter Ben Zobrist lined out to right field. Pinch-hitter Eric Hinske swung through a low pitch to strike out, and the Phillies piled on top of each other near the mound in celebration. 

Hamels pulled off a rare feat Wednesday, becoming just the fifth player in history to win the Most Valuable Player award in both the World Series and in a League Championship Series.

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Some of the nation's top writers sound off the weather-plagued Game 5 of the World Series...

TAINTED BY TELEVISION - Phil Sheridan, Philadelphia Inquirer
"In April or May, in June or July, in August or September, the umpires would have stopped play at that moment - if they hadn't already. Pop-ups that drop toward unseeing eyes can seriously injure a player. It was pouring rain. Pools of water were forming in front of the infielders. Pitchers were cleaning their spikes after every pitch.

In October, the game went on. And Major League Baseball should be ashamed for allowing its most important game of the year to deteriorate into an embarrassing mess because of slavish obedience to its pimp, the Fox Television Network.

Simply put, Game 5 is hopelessly tainted by what transpired between the time the game should have been called and the middle of the sixth inning, when it was finally suspended.

Whatever happens when play resumes, whether the Phillies celebrate their first World Series championship or the Rays force a Game 6 in Florida, MLB can't justify its decision or its decision-making process."

ON RAINY NIGHT IN PHILLY, MLB DROPS THE BALL - Bill Conlin, Phildelphia Daily News
"Tell that to the used-car salesman running baseball and a Fox network paranoid over the prospect of being forced to play a Friday night makeup game, when America is off watching high school football in thousands of towns.

With two outs in the sixth, a trained seal named Hamels was pitching while surrounded by an infield closer to an Everglade than major league. And when

Pena splashed a single to left, B.J. Upton belly-surfed across the plate with the tying run.

The game had splashed totally out of control. A Perfect Storm has put Game 5 into the most bizarre hold since the 10-day earthquake postponement in 1989. Too bad the imperfect men running Major League Baseball performed like landlubbers trying to sail an America's Cup yacht in a hurricane."

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In a game they simply had to get the Tampa Rays did just that, winning Game 2 of the World Series, 4-2. The victory evens up the best-of-seven series at one game a piece. Right-hander James Shields rebounded from a rough ALCS showing by tossing nearly 6 innings of shutout baseball. Only three major pitchers had won a game in the Fall Classic after losing twice in an LCS: Atlanta's Tom Glavine (twice), Cleveland's Chad Ogea and the New York Yankees' Mike Mussina. Shield allowed 7 hits and 2 walks through 5 2/3 innings, but got huge plays from the young Rays' defense when he needed them.

From there, the Rays' bullpen did there job, including 2 1/3 tough innings by Dan Wheeler. However, it was the team's timely hitting and execution that would prove to be the deciding factor. 

Groundouts by Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria brought in runs in the first. Tampa Bay also scored on an out in the fourth, as Jason Bartlett dropped a bunt down the first-base line with Cliff Floyd on third, bringing home the big man on the sacrifice. Meanwhile, the Phillies continued to struggle at the plate. They managed to win Game 1 despite leaving 11 men on base and going 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position. The same offensive troubles showed up again, as the Phillies left 11 more runners on base and went 1-for-15 with them in scoring position, but this time Charlie Manuel's club could not overcome the poor hitting.

The Phillies are struggling, but nobody more so than shortstop Jimmy Rollins. He enters Game 3 of the World Series an 0-for-10 hitter in the series, 9-for-47 (.192) this postseason, 11-for-58 (.190) in his playoff career, including last year's 2-for-11 exhibition in the National League Division Series sweep by the Rockies.

The teams take Friday off to travel as they head to Citizen's Bank Park in the City of Brotherly Love. Tampa Bay's Matt Garza and Philadelphia's Jamie Moyer are scheduled to pitch in Game 3 Saturday night and it appears that Sunday night's Game 4 will shape up to be Andy Sonnastine against Joe Blanton.

SCHEDULE
Game One - Philadelphia 3, Tampa Bay 2
Game Two - Tampa Bay 4, Philadelphia 2
Game Three - Saturday, October 25th - Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 8:35 p.m.
Game Four - Sunday, October 26th - Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 8:29 p.m.
Game Five - Monday, October 27th - Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 8:29 p.m.
*Game Six - Wednesday, October 29th - Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 8:35 p.m.
*Game Seven - Thursday, October 30th - Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 8:29 p.m.

(Best-of-seven series tied, 1-1)

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Relive some of the best World Series memories ever with GETSPORTSRADIO.COM: WIRE TO WIRE

The team that has won the first game of the World Series has went on to be crowned champions in 10 of their last 11 years. The Phillies hope to make it 11 of the last 12. Philadelphia took Game 1 on Wednesday, beating Tampa 3-2. It was a game they needed to win. For starters, in order to win the best-of-seven-series they had to take at least one in Tampa. Secondly, with a questionable rotation it doesn't appear as if the Phils could affrod to lose with ace Cole Hamels on the mound.

The Rays produced 22 homers in their first 11 postseason games, but Wednesday, the heart of their lineup —B.J. Upton, Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria— went hitless in 12 at-bats without a ball leaving the infield.  

Hamels has been amazing. We all knew he was good, but after winning his fourth straight playoff start in dominating fashion he is now a superstar. In Philadelphia they are comparing him to another great Phillies' lefty, Steve Carlton. While he has a bit more to go before I can put in that Hall of Fame company you can't deny the fact that his 1.55 ERA effort this October has been outstanding.  

Scott Kazmir, who was drafted two spots ahead of Hamels in the first round of the 2002 Amateur Draft, struggled through is six innings allowing three runs on six hits and four walks. 

Chase Utley and Carl Crawford both went yard, but for the most part the offenses both struggled in the clutch all night long.

Both bullpens did great, yet the Phillies still possess the edge with Brad Lidge closing out games. He made the Rays look silly with his nasty slider working a perfect 1-2-3 ninth inning. 

The drop off starts now though for the Phillies as after Hamels it gets a bit rough. Brett Myers will to go to the hill in Game 2 and he'll be opposed by right-hander James Shields for the Rays. It is a must-win game for the Rays as they can ill afford to leave town down 0-2.

SCHEDULE
Game One- Philadelphia 3, Tampa Bay 2
Game Two - Thursday, October 23rd - Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 8:29 p.m.
Game Three - Saturday, October 25th - Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 8:35 p.m.
Game Four - Sunday, October 26th - Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 8:29 p.m.
*Game Five - Monday, October 27th - Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 8:29 p.m.
*Game Six - Wednesday, October 29th - Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 8:35 p.m.
*Game Seven - Thursday, October 30th - Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 8:29 p.m.
(Philadelphia leads best-of-seven series, 1-0)

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Here are some interesting stats and storylines I have dug up when looking ahead to the World Series...

*Brad Lidge - The Phillies' closer was a perfect 41-for-41 in save opportunities during the regular season, and erased his postseason demons by going a perfect 5-for-5 against the Brewers and Dodgers. It's pretty ironic that his only blown save of the year came in the 15th inning of the All-Star Game, a loss that now cost his team homefield advantage (I hate that stupid rule).

*Chase Utley - For the second straight year, Utley struggled in the NLDS, but showed some signs of life against the Dodgers. The second baseman hit a big two-run homer to even Game 1 and was 6-for-17 in the NLCS with three RBI. 

*Cole Hamels - The Phillies' ace has been lights out for Charlie Manuel, winning all three of his starts this postseason while pitching to a 1.23 ERA.  It's been a nice turnaround after the 24-year old lefty finished the regular season by going just 5-6 over the last two months.

*Ryan Howard - Philly needs the big slugger to wake up a bit. He showed a pulse by hitting .500 (6-for-12) over the final three games against the Dodgers, but has yet to hit a home run this postseason and has driven in a mere three runs. He's been streaky all season, but finish the season on a tear and carried the Phillies to the NL East title.

*BJ Upton - He only hit 9 HR's during regular season, yet he has hit seven homers in these playoffs, one short of the major league record held by Bonds (2002) and Carlos Beltran, who did it for Houston in 2004.

*Matt Garza - Talk about a time to break out, the former twin won the ALCS MVP was magnificent allowing just two runs and two wins. Both teams are going to go into the World Series with their rotations rested and set the way they want them to be.

*Carl Crawford - The longest tenured Ray in team history, batted .302 and swiped six bases during the first two rounds. He is going to cause fits for Philly on the base baths. It's hard to imagine what this season has been like for him.

*Evan Longoria - He has struggled at times during the playoffs, but his six homeruns say all that you need to know about this rookie hot corner. He could get even more dangerous in the hitter-friednly Citizens Bank Park.

Here's what the oddsmakers at BetUs.com have for the series predictions for the outcome and MVP winner:

Who will be named the World Series MVP?
BJ Upton (TB) ....................... 7/1
Ryan Howard (PHI)................15/2
Evan Longoria (TB)..................8/1
Jimmy Rollins (PHI)................11/1
Chase Utley (PHI)..................12/1
Pat Burrell (PHI).....................13/1
Cole Hammels (PHI)...............10/1
Brade Lidge (PHI)...................12/1
Brett Myers (PHI)...................13/1
Scott Kazmir (TB)...................13/1
James Shields (TB) ................12/1
Carlos Pena (TB)....................12/1
Carl Crawford (TB)...................12/1
Akinori Iwamura (TB)................15/1
Any Other Player ................... .5/1

Correct Series Result
Tampa Bay 4-2 ......................4/1
Tampa Bay 4-1 ......................9/2
Tampa Bay 4-3 ......................9/2
Philadelphia 4-2 .....................6/1
Philadelphia 4-1......................8/1
Tampa Bay 4-0.......................9/1
Philadelphia 4-0.....................18/1
Philadelphia 4-3 ....................11/2

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GetSportsRadio.com: Playoff Primer

Its October 1st. That means its playoff baseball time! It was a great season that saw the underdog become the big dog in the yard with the Tampa Bay Rays having their first winning season ever and taking the AL East away from the Red Sox and Yankees. I don't think there has ever been as much on the line in the last weekend of the season as there was this season.

Six teams (if you count the Arizona Diamondbacks) had their fates decided in just a few days. The Brewers squeaked in thanks to another meltdown by the New York Mets and their acquisition of CC Sabbathia. The Phillies were helped by the Mets’ collapse as well. The Rays won the AL East with just a few games to go. The Dodgers took the NL West thanks to the D-Backs struggling down the stretch as well and thanks to the addition of one named Manny Ramirez. Even the Cubs had to wait a little long than expected to lock down the NL Central after having dominated the division for most of the season. (If ever they were primed to end their 100 year championship drought, it would be this year.) The only team that had everything locked down and were on cruise control for that last month or so of the season were the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
 
To add to the drama, we got an extra game last night to decide the winner of the AL Central when the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins met in what turned out to be one of the best and most dramatic games of the season. So after a dramatic last couple days on the South side of Chicago, we’re finally ready to get the postseason started. Naturally that means its time to make picks.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Divisional Series:
Red Sox over Angels
Rays over White Sox

League Championship Series:
Red Sox over Rays
 

NATIONAL LEAGUE
 
Divisional Series:
Cubs over Dodgers
Phillies over Brewers

League Championship Series
Cubs over Phillies

WORLD SERIES
Cubs over Red Sox in 6 games (in the highest TV ratings for the World Series ever!).

******
Yeah, I went chalk for the most part, and picked a series I would really like to see. At the same time I’d love to see the Rays make it. I’m not ruling it out because I truly think that could happen as well. Had to give the Cubs their due though, it has to be their time finally…right?

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