Bronx Bombers will open World Series odds with a win

Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees
Wednesday, Oct. 28 (Time TBD)
Cliff Lee (2-1, 0.74) vs. C.C. Sabathia (3-0, 1.19)

Cliff Lee has been nothing short of sensational during the postseason. The lefty was brought in from Cleveland via midseason trade to boost Philadelphia's World Series odds, and he's done nothing but deliver since then. The Phillies have won all three of Lee's postseason starts, and the former Cy Young winner has allowed just two runs in 24.1 innings. He was only called upon once during the NLCS, but he delivered in fine fashion, striking out 10 batters during eight innings of shutout baseball. Facing the Yankees shouldn't faze Lee; he was 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA and nine strikeouts in two starts against the Bronx Bombers this season.

Sabathia, who could very well win the AL Cy Young this season, has been pretty darn good himself. He's 3-0 during the post season while allowing just a single run in each of his starts. He's coming off a five-hit, one-run gem against the Angels. Sabathia faced the Phillies in interleague play this season and earned a no-decision after giving up three runs in eight innings of work, and he's going to be very tough to beat at Yankee stadium, where he had a 3.17 ERA and .223 opponents' batting average.

While two aces go head-to-head on Wednesday, there's still great potential for fireworks. Both teams led their respective league's in runs and homers this season. Alex Rodriguez's sudden emergence as a reliable postseason threat has been beyond impressive. His brutal struggles have been well documented, but this year he's hitting. 438, five homers and 12 RBIs in the playoffs—with many of those hits coming in crucial situations. Philadelphia will counter with Ryan Howard, who's been almost as good with a .355 average, two homers and 14 RBIs. If you're betting on run totals, take the over.

Offshore sportsbook fans know there isn't much seperating Philly and New York. On Wednesday, both send out their top pitcher and both will employ lineups packed with All-Stars. If there's an edge, it's new Yankee Stadium, where the Bronx Bombers have yet to lose a postseason game. Is something magical happening this year in New York? The team certainly looks more cohesive than it has in years. Expect the Yanks' lineup to continue riding the home crowd and power Sabathia to a narrow victory over Lee. Bet on the Yankees with your MLB picks.