MLB Standings 2011 – Red Sox and Braves Fight for Wild Card: It's now official; all division races in both the American and National leagues are settled. The Yankees, Tigers and Rangers are division winners in the AL, and Phillies, Brewers and Diamondbacks, are winners in the NL. But before the playoffs can begin; a couple of loose ends must be determined – the Wild Card's.
The Philadelphia Phillies are listed as 7-to-4 odds favorites on the 2011 MLB Odds futures board to win the 2011 World Series. The New York Yankees, getting 4-to-1 odds, are favorites in the American League.
In the AL, the Boston Red Sox have three games to play at Baltimore with a one game Wild Card lead over Tampa Bay; while in the NL, the Atlanta Braves hold a single game lead over the Cardinals with three to play. Atlanta will finish up hosting the Phillies for three at Turner Field, while the Cardinals play their final set against the Astros at Houston. The Los Angeles Angels, trailing Boston by three in the Wild Card standings, have a remote chance of pulling even. For the Angels to pass the Rays and catch the Red Sox, they must win their final three games while the Red Sox and Rays lose out.
Red Sox manager Terry Francona will look to veteran Josh Beckett to get the clubs series with Baltimore off on the right track. Beckett's effectiveness has slipped the second half of the season after posting a 2.27 ERA the first half. Starters for games two and three against the Orioles has not been determined. The Rays will go with James Shields in their home opener with the Yankees on Monday. Shields allowed four earned runs in 7 1/3 innings against the Yankees in his last start in a losing cause. Shields is tough at home with a 8-5 record at Tropicana Field with a 2.38 ERA.
The Cardinals head to Houston looking for a sweep against the Astros, a team the Cardinals have dominated in 2011 winning eight of 12 games and four of six at Minute Maid Park. Cards manager Tony LaRussa will give's the ball to talented left-hander Jaime Garcia who is 13-7 with a 3.45 ERA thus far in 2011. Garcia pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings against the Mets in his previous start.
Against the Phillies and their No. 2 ace Cliff Lee, the Braves give the ball young right-hander Randy Delgado who is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA. Delgado picked up his first major league victory by pitching five scoreless innings against the Marlins last Tuesday. Lee, seeking his second Cy Young Award is 16-8 with a 2.38 ERA.
MLB Odds – 2011 World Series Futures Board
Philadelphia Phillies 7/4
New York Yankees 4/2
Detroit Tigers 7/1
Milwaukee Brewers 15/2
Boston Red Sox 8/1
Texas Rangers 8/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 14/1
Atlanta Braves 16/1
St. Louis Cardinals 16/1
Tampa Bay Rays 18/1
Los Angeles Angels 250/1
