Game 5 – Monday, October 24th, 8:05 PM ET The Ballpark, Arlington, TX

Chris Carpenter (3-0, 3.52) didnt have his best stuff in Game 1s 3-2 win at home, but he managed to get by, giving up a pair of runs on five hits over six innings of work. C.J. Wilson (0-3, 7.17) had trouble with his command, walking six and striking out four, but he only allowed three runs on four hits. Its been an inconsistent postseason for the 30-year-old Wilson, and this is his first appearance at home since Game 1 of the ALCS against Detroit. You have to remember that this is only his second year as a starter and Wilson threw 223.1 innings in the regular season, along with 21.1 innings in the postseason, so fatigue is definitely a factor.

Carpenter is built for this and even when he doesnt have his best stuff, he does enough to keep the Cardinals in the game, and even though he has a 6.99 ERA in five starts at the Ballpark, he has a 2-2 record. You also should count on the St. Louis bats to wake up after a disappointing 4-0 loss in Game 4, and as a +113 MLB betting underdog on Monday night, they would be a smart bet.

Betting Edge: St. Louis Cardinals

Game 6 – Wednesday, October 26th, 8:05 PM ET Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

Colby Lewis (1-1, 2.95) should be familiar with going out on the road as all three of his starts in the playoffs have been away from home, and he pitched 6.2 solid innings in Game 2s 2-1 win for the Rangers, allowing a run on four hits with four strikeouts and a walk. Jaime Garcia (0-2, 3.97) was on the other side, tossing a three-hitter over seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and a walk, but he was let down by Jason Motte, who blew the save in the 9th inning. That was his second straight no-decision, even though he has settled down since getting off to a rough start in the postseason.

Strangely, something similar will happen in this game as well as the Rangers try to stave off elimination with a big performance. Look for the Texas bats to come alive late in the game and in particular, one of their big bats, like Nelson Cruz or Josh Hamilton, who is battling what he thinks is a sports hernia. The Cardinals will probably be favored, but Texas is the MLB betting play on Wednesday night.

Betting Edge: Texas Rangers

Game 7 – Thursday, October 27th, 8:05 PM ET Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO (If necessary)

The Rangers Matt Harrison (1-1, 502) and the Cardinals Kyle Lohse (0-2, 7.82) have been penciled in as the starters for Game 7, and neither pitcher made it out of the fourth inning in a 16-7 win for St. Louis in Game 3, which was highlighted by Albert Pujols three-homer performance. Harrison gave up five runs (three earned) on six hits over 3.2 innings, while Lohse gave up three runs on five hits over three innings of work in a game for the offensive fans. Its doubtful that the two will have that type of game again in Game 7, especially in St. Louis where the games have been relatively low-scoring due to a few factors, but most likely the weather. It has been cold and damp in St. Louis, which makes the ball heavier. In Texas, the ball is much easier to hit and the Ballpark has always been known as a hitters park.

This is going to be up in the air and again, the bullpens will probably come into play as Harrison doesnt have much postseason experience and the Rangers are asking him to pitch a Game 7 in the World Series. Lohse, well, he isnt a very good pitcher and definitely pitched above his weight during the regular season. But at home, in a Game 7 setting and a managerial edge with St. Louis Tony LaRussa, St. Louis is the sports betting pick to make here.

Betting Edge: St. Louis Cardinals

Toronto’s general manager got a first-hand look at Johnson in 2011 after orchestrating a late-season deal for the veteran infielder — a player he’d notoriously coveted for the past couple of years.

Johnson’s six-week stay in Toronto amounted to an extended audition, and now the club must decide whether the pending free agent will be brought back into the fold for 2012 and beyond.

“I thought Kelly did a nice job, and he’s definitely in the mix for us,” Anthopoulos said at his year-end news conference. “We have an opening, he is a free agent, and in the coming weeks, we’ll certainly reach out to his agent and talk to him, but it’s hard to characterize where any of that is going to go.”

Johnson entered the year with high expectations after hitting .284 with 18 homers and 49 RBIs for the D-backs in 2010. But he got off to a slow start in Arizona and was never quite able to get his season back on track.

The problems were compounded when Johnson was completely caught off-guard by the Aug. 23 trade that sent him to Toronto for veterans Aaron Hill and John McDonald. The D-backs were well on their way to a postseason berth, and Johnson expected to be a major component of any success the club might have.

Instead his playoff aspirations were dashed, and he once again found himself on a young team that was building for the future.

“It was really tough, because last year was kind of that way in Arizona,” Johnson said of Toronto’s youth movement. “This year with the Diamondbacks, success came a lot quicker than anybody thought. It was still fun, even though I wasn’t having the kind of year I wanted to have personally.

“It was fun coming to the park, because you kind of knew something could happen every day, and obviously we were in first place. It was really tough leaving.”

Johnson took a couple of days after the trade to collect his thoughts. He returned to Phoenix to collect his passport and eventually made the trip north of the border to join his new teammates.

Once there, his transition to the American League went a lot smoother than originally expected, in part because he was able to quickly develop a strong working relationship with hitting coach Dwayne Murphy.

The two built a rapport in a short period of time, and Johnson was able to finish his otherwise disappointing campaign on a high note, hitting .270 with an on-base percentage of .364 in 33 games with Toronto.

Now he is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career. It’s a moment that most players relish, but at the end of the year, Johnson sounded apprehensive about the process and the uncertainty it creates.

“It’s different for the top-tier players and probably a lot more enjoyable, but we’ll just have to see what happens and take it day by day,” he said. “I’m just going to have to see how it comes. Obviously, you want to try to do what’s best for your family, but at the same time you want to go somewhere you’re going to be happy and comfortable.”

The Blue Jays are expected to offer Johnson arbitration, which would put him in line for a raise over the $5.85 million he earned in 2011.

Because he is a Type-B free agent, he would net the Blue Jays a compensation pick in next year’s First-Year Player Draft if he departs for another team.

Stockpiling Draft picks is something Anthopoulos has emphasized during his time in Toronto, but when it comes to Johnson, there’s at least a small chance he will have to rethink that philosophy.

This offseason’s free-agent market is particularly bare at second base. Johnson headlines the list, which also includes Mark Ellis and Clint Barmes. Other players, such as Hill and Brandon Phillips, could be added to the mix, but their status is unknown because of club options on their contracts.

Anthopoulos conceded that if Johnson departs, the Blue Jays would have to fill the void either through free agency or trade. Top prospect Adeiny Hechavarria is expected to spend a full season with Triple-A Las Vegas in 2012, and the club does not have any internal candidates ready to take over at the Major League level.

The lack of viable replacements and Johnson’s ability to hit for power could increase the club’s desire to bring him back.

“It is a luxury, and I think when you look around at our division, second base is a power position, and he fits that mold,” manager John Farrell said of Johnson, who has 39 home runs over the past two seasons. “That’s not to say we have to match other teams, but within the context of putting a guy in the lineup that can create some damage with one swing — he has that.”

Johnson was quick to praise the direction the Blue Jays have taken under Anthopoulos. Johnson sees an up-and-coming organization with a lot of young pitching and the type of offensive prowess that could lead to a playoff run in the near future.

He’s unsure as to how much interest the Blue Jays will have in him this offseason, but he’s more than willing to sit down and discuss a deal that would keep him in Toronto for the foreseeable future.

“I’d definitely love to hear what they have to say, what they want to do and go from there,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be interesting. I haven’t heard anything and can’t really speculate until there’s something to talk about. It’s something that’s going to be interesting. I’ll probably have to have a bit more patience than I’m used to. But I’m excited.”

St. Louis Cardinals @ Milwaukee Brewers
Sunday, 4:05 PM ET

There could not have been a better ending to an NLDS than Nyjer Morgan pumping one in to the outfield for a walk off victory, and it will be interesting to see if the Brewers can provide their fans with another incredible finish. Milwaukee earned the chance to finish the series at Miller Park where they led the majors in home wins this season, and they got the pitching matchups that they wanted as well. Whether or not they can now turn those advantages into something tangible and end the Cardinals improbable run only time will tell, as players like Albert Pujols fight with everything they have in what could be their final game in a Cardinals uniform. Pujols is among a couple of potential free agents on the roster, and if he is going to go out then he might as well go out in style. The Brewers however have taken nothing for granted and have persevered every step of the way, and it wouldnt be a major surprise if St. Louis magical MLB betting run ends in Milwaukee.

MLB Betting Pick: Milwaukee Brewers

Detroit Tigers @ Texas Rangers
Sunday, 8:05 PM ET

It is no surprise that if it reaches game seven the Tigers will want to give the ball to Doug Fister, who pitched them to a memorable sports betting bonus win in game seven of the ALDS against the New York Yankees, and proved that he can handle the pressure. Texas will counter with Colby Lewis if it gets to that decisive game, although the Rangers would be happy to put it away in six if they can get the job done in the first of consecutive games at home. The Tigers have proven to be a worthy opponent so far, but Texas has been here before and have every intention of getting the job done. The way that players like Nelson Cruz have delivered in the clutch just makes you believe that this is a team of destiny, although Delmon Young and company may have something to say about that. The Rangers and Tigers both deserve their chance in the World Series but only one team can advance, and in this case experience and home field advantage will make the difference.

MLB Betting Pick: Texas Rangers

What: MLB Betting
When: October 9th-17th (Check best sportsbook for start times)
Where: Games 1, 2, 6, 7 (Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI); Games 3-5 (Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO)
Pick: Milwaukee Brewers

Why Bet On St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals have the most momentum of any team left in the postseason as they battled hard to put pressure on Atlanta, who collapsed down the stretch, then they managed to hold off Philadelphia, the World Series betting favorites, complete with a 1-0 win on the road in Game 5 in which Chris Carpenter outdueled Roy Halladay. St. Louis has a solid group of veteran players, led by Carpenter and Albert Pujols, who have been here before and relish the pressure of the playoffs. The hitting carried the team in the regular season as the Cardinals led the National League in runs scored and average, and there are few teams in the majors who can boast a mid-lineup order of Pujols, Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday. That isnt to say that their pitching is awful, as Carpenter, Jaime Garcia (despite a rocky Game 1), Edwin Jackson and Kyle Lohse can get the job done, especially the first two. Octavio Dotel, Arthur Rhodes and Marc Rzepczynski have bolstered the bullpen in middle relief, and they were very good down the stretch. The Cardinals have put Jason Motte in the closers role for now, but they can always fall back on Fernando Salas as well.

You have to wonder how much the Cardinals have left in the tank after their massive run to the playoffs, especially a veteran team that has battled some injuries this season. Two months ago, most MLB betting players put the Cardinals out to pasture and they expended a lot of energy just to get here. It actually may be beneficial to play the Brewers, a heated division rival with whom the Cardinals have been physical with, so it should be easy for them to get up for Milwaukee. Also, the bullpen is a worry as it was well below average for most of the season.

Why Bet On Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers have homefield advantage, and this is huge for Milwaukee, who won an MLB-high 57 games at home in Miller Park during the regular season, then won all three of their home meetings with Arizona in the NLDS, and then Game 1 against the Cardinals. We know that homefield advantage plays a big role in most sports, but this Milwaukee team is like two different squads when theyre home and away. While the Cardinals have their power trio in the middle of their lineup, the Brewers may have the best one-two punch in the game in Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, and there is potential power throughout the lineup with Corey Hart and Rickie Weeks, who is finally healthy, and dont count out Yuniesky Betancourt. The Brewers can swing the bat with anyone in the majors, and that means theyre never out of a game. But they got to this point by improving their starting rotation with Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, picking them up to go with Yovani Gallardo, who is one of the most underrated hurlers in the major leagues. Milwaukee also has a deadly late-inning duo in Francisco Rodriguez and John Axford, and their middle relief is effective as well. The Brewers feel like theyre a team of destiny, and one that may be broken up due to financial issues after this year, so theyre playing with urgency.

But that can backfire on the Brewers, who cant let their emotions get the best of them, especially against their division rivals. The Brewers have the edge in talent over the Cardinals, but its all about keeping their heads and not trying to do too much, especially away from home. Milwaukees trouble on the road is a head-scratcher, which puts a lot of pressure on them to maintain their perfection at home. If they dropped a game in Miller Park, can they get it back in St. Louis?

How It Will Play Out

Milwaukee should be the MLB betting favorites, and Game 1 was the 19th time that these two have met in 2011, so there arent many secrets left between them. Its been almost even as the Brewers are 10-9 against the Cardinals this year, with 10 games coming in under the posted total (along with a couple of pushes).

This has seven games written all over it, and the Brewers need to be able to take at least one game in St. Louis, where theyve lost six of their last 10. They should be able to snatch a game on the road and send their bitter rivals packing after a wild series. The Cardinals will make it interesting with their experience, but the Brewers have too many weapons and will break through to reach the World Series. Take Milwaukee with your online betting baseball picks.

Cardinals Brewers Betting Pick: Milwaukee Brewers

Why Bet on Detroit

The Tigers are favored to win game one of this series, and Detroit also stands as the favorite to become AL Champions. The betting sites consider that a neat trick when you remember that the Tigers were chasing the Cleveland Indians for half the season for the AL Central title. Detroit wasnt even a playoff favorite at the All-Star break. But there are plenty of good reasons to bet on the Detroit Tigers to win the AL pennant.

The Detroit Tigers come into the playoffs with the hottest pitching staff in baseball. It is more than just Cy Young candidate Justin Verlander (although he is a huge part of the reason why Detroit beat the Yankees). But there are other starters such as Doug Fister and Max Scherzer that also helped put the beat down on the Yankees. Detroits offense did not really help as it only scored 17 runs in the five games of the ALDS. But the pitching in Detroit should help carry the Tigers far.

Why Bet on Texas

The Rangers did not make it easy on themselves by getting blown out in the first game of its ALDS series against the Tampa Bay Rays 9-0. But the online wagering crowd in Texas relaxed when the Rangers starting pitching finally clicked in for the playoffs. The Rangers do not have the convenience of calling on a Cliff Lee to win games in the post-season. But the young Ranger pitching staff that enters the playoffs have shown that it is more than capable of winning big games.

How it Will Play Out

The Rangers young pitching staff has shown that it can respond to big games and make a difference in a series. After the game one blowout against the Rays, the Rangers staff settled in and allowed only 12 runs in the next three games before clinching the series. But questions still remain about the ability of the Rangers staff to be World Series-caliber.

The Tigers are really rolling both on the mound and on offense. Detroit came into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams down the stretch, and maintained its momentum into the playoffs. It will be a tall task to ask a young Rangers team to stop Detroit.

Pick: Detroit Tigers

Texas Rangers @ Tampa Bay Rays

Monday, 5:07 PM ET

The biggest handicap that the Rays faced heading in to this MLB betting series was the fact that needing a win in each of the final few days before the end of the regular season did not allow them to set up their starting rotation to be ready for the ALDS. That included All Star David Price getting the call in the finale against the Yankees, which meant that he would have to wait until this game three to have a chance to start. Tampa Bay was forced to go with rookie Matt Moore and James Shields though the first two contests, but will finally get their ace on the mound in hopes that they can take this one at home. The Rangers have been among the most consistent teams all season and have power in every aspect of the game, so the Rays need to capitalize on intangibles such as momentum if they are going to overcome once again. Tampa Bay has no business winning this series, but the same could have been said about them even getting in ahead of Boston.

MLB Betting Pick: Tampa Bay Rays

New York Yankees @ Detroit Tigers

Monday, 8:37 PM ET

The Tigers will return home knowing exactly what they need to do to close out this series, and it continues with Max Scherzer on the mound against the veteran Freddy Garcia. If there is one MLB betting bonus area of this series where Detroit is projected to have the edge, it is the depth in the starting rotation, and they will need to take advantage of that here. Scherzer finished the regular season with a 15-9 record and 4.43 ERA, and he allowed more than four runs only twice over the final two months. He will need to bring his best stuff to the park on Monday to hold off a powerful Yankees offense, and prevent the veteran Garcia from stealing one on the road. Garcia and Bartolo Colon were two key signings for New York in the offseason that have really panned out better than expected, and if he can steal one here in this position, it will go a long way for the Yankees not only in this series but in the longer run.

MLB Betting Pick: Detroit Tigers

Texas Rangers @ Tampa Bay Rays

Monday, 5:07 PM ET

The biggest handicap that the Rays faced heading in to this MLB betting series was the fact that needing a win in each of the final few days before the end of the regular season did not allow them to set up their starting rotation to be ready for the ALDS. That included All Star David Price getting the call in the finale against the Yankees, which meant that he would have to wait until this game three to have a chance to start. Tampa Bay was forced to go with rookie Matt Moore and James Shields though the first two contests, but will finally get their ace on the mound in hopes that they can take this one at home. The Rangers have been among the most consistent teams all season and have power in every aspect of the game, so the Rays need to capitalize on intangibles such as momentum if they are going to overcome once again. Tampa Bay has no business winning this series, but the same could have been said about them even getting in ahead of Boston.

MLB Betting Pick: Tampa Bay Rays

New York Yankees @ Detroit Tigers

Monday, 8:37 PM ET

The Tigers will return home knowing exactly what they need to do to close out this series, and it continues with Max Scherzer on the mound against the veteran Freddy Garcia. If there is one MLB betting bonus area of this series where Detroit is projected to have the edge, it is the depth in the starting rotation, and they will need to take advantage of that here. Scherzer finished the regular season with a 15-9 record and 4.43 ERA, and he allowed more than four runs only twice over the final two months. He will need to bring his best stuff to the park on Monday to hold off a powerful Yankees offense, and prevent the veteran Garcia from stealing one on the road. Garcia and Bartolo Colon were two key signings for New York in the offseason that have really panned out better than expected, and if he can steal one here in this position, it will go a long way for the Yankees not only in this series but in the longer run.

MLB Betting Pick: Detroit Tigers

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Milwaukee Brewers
Saturday, TBS

The Diamondbacks broadcasters had a sense of uneasiness in their voice when they talked about preparing to face Milwaukee in the NLDS on Thursday, and it could be because of the way that the Brewers have dominated this season. With the All Star trio of Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee will look to flex its muscle at home against an Arizona team that was able to win games despite not playing at an elite level in the NL West, and unless Ian Kennedy can carry out the unlikely task of shutting down the Brewers offense they will have a tough time opening the series with a win.

MLB Betting Pick: Milwaukee Brewers

Detroit Tigers @ New York Yankees
Saturday, TBS

The Yankees biggest problem heading in to this MLB betting season was a lack of pitching depth in their starting rotation, an area that Ivan Novas development has been crucial in. Nova goes second for New York behind CC Sabathia at the top of the rotation, and will counter veteran Doug Fister for Detroit as the pinstripes look to improve their standing in the series before the series shifts to the Motor City.

MLB Betting Pick: New York Yankees

Tampa Bay Rays @ Texas Rangers
Saturday, TBS

The Rays will never stop believing after the incredible sequence of events that unfolded on the final day of the regular season, and if they can somehow work with the momentum and continue to play the way that they have as a unit, they do have a chance at an upset. Matt Holland will start the series for Texas with Tampa Bay expected to release their official decision sometime on Friday. The Rangers have unfinished business in the AL, and have no intention of letting the Rays Cinderella story continue.

MLB Betting Pick: Texas Rangers

St. Louis Cardinals @ Philadelphia Phillies
Saturday, TBS

The Cardinals fought with everything that they had to complete the comeback and catch the Braves, but now face the even more daunting task of matching up with the Phillies in the NLDS. Philadelphia will have the edge in every pitching matchup as expected, and it may take another sports betting bonus miracle for St. Louis to rock the boat in these beginning with Roy Halladay on the mound Saturday against Jaime Garcia for the Cardinals.

MLB Betting Pick: Philadelphia Phillies

Escobar hasn’t played since Sept. 10, when he was hit by a pitch during a game against the Orioles, sustaining a swollen left elbow. He will have to take batting practice on Sunday if he’s going to have enough time to prepare for a return.

“If BP doesn’t happen by tomorrow, and it’s not until Monday when he takes BP, then I think we’re really starting to force the issue,” Blue Jays manager John Farrell told reporters on Saturday afternoon. “Over the next two to three days is going to be more of an indication of whether he’ll be back on the field by the end of the season in Chicago.”

Even if Escobar is not able to play in any of the Blue Jays’ remaining four games, the club feels it’s important that he goes through baseball-related activities before the end of the season.

“Not only for us and just seeing him swing the bat, but I think for his own peace of mind — that physically there’s no lingering effects,” said Farrell, who added the pain in Escobar’s elbow has subsided. “The range of motion is pretty much normal right now, it’s just a matter of building it up.

“He hasn’t really started to swing the bat in earnest, either in tee work or in cage work. It will be important to get him through those baseball activities before the season ends.”

Escobar is batting .290 with 11 homers and 48 RBIs in 133 games this season.

Monday September 26, 2011
Boston Red Sox @ Baltimore Orioles 7:05PM EST
The only thing keeping the Boston Red Sox in the playoffs is the fact that the Tampa Bay Rays cannot beat the New York Yankees. The Red Sox have only beaten the Baltimore Orioles once in the month of September, but yet this is the second series the two teams have played against each other in the last two weeks. Boston needs to figure out a starting pitching rotation and determine what happened to its offense if it wants to find success in the playoffs.
Pick: Baltimore Orioles

Tuesday September 27, 2011
Texas Rangers @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 10:05PM EST
As of late last week, the Texas magic number to beat out the Angels for the AL West pennant was two games. But the Angels have been hanging in there and a head-to-head series against the Rangers is just what the Angels need. But many MLB betting experts feel that the Angels are just putting off the inevitable as opposed to being in control of its own destiny.
Pick: Texas Rangers

Wednesday September 28, 2011
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Milwaukee Brewers 8:10PM EST
If the Brewers have not clinched the NL Central pennant by this time, then this should be the game where it happens. The Brewers magic number over the St. Louis Cardinals is two, and the Cardinals seem to be more wrapped up in the NL wild card race with the Atlanta Braves. The Pirates were a playoff contender prior to the All-Star break, but they have been a doormat ever since.
Pick: Milwaukee Brewers

Wednesday September 28, 2011
St. Louis Cardinals @ Houston Astros 8:05PM EST
The St. Louis Cardinals have this one last game of the season to try and lay claim to the NL wild card spot. While the Atlanta Braves spend its last series of the season battling with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Cardinals get the worst team in baseball in the Houston Astros. If the Cardinals want to stay in the World Series betting then they will have to win out and the Braves will have to keep losing. Considering how poorly the Braves have played in the stretch, it is not out of the question to think that the NL wild card could come down to this final day of the season.
Pick: St. Louis Cardinals

Wednesday September 28, 2011
Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves 7:10PM EST
The only thing going for the Braves in this game is that it is at home. Atlanta has allowed a sizeable lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL wild card race to shrink to two games. The Phillies are playing for real as it gets ready to enter the playoffs and that is just something that the Braves may not be able to handle.
Pick: Philadelphia Phillies