MLB / Nick Shiambouros / 09 October 2008 / Leave a comment

It's crunch time in the MLB with just four teams left in the play-offs. US sports fan Nick Shiambouros goes through the odds in both match-ups.

Only four teams remain in the quest for the World Series but not all the Divisional Series went according to the script.

The Chicago Cubs found that out when they were sensationally swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0 who advanced to the National League Championship Series to face the Philadelphia Phillies, who overcame Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 and thoroughly deserved to go through.

So the dream is over for the Cubs who led the opening game by two runs but were completely manhandled by the Dodgers in just about every department. You could feel the tension in the crowd as game three slowly slipped away from the Cubs, which they lost 3-1.

Indeed it was double disappointment for the town of Chicago who lost its other team when the Tampa Bay Rays ploughed through the White Sox 3-1 to set up the AL Championship series against division rivals the Boston Red Sox who overcame the Los Angeles Angels 3-1. Every game in that latter series was close and the Angels can hold their heads high after a huge effort all season.

Now we're down to the final four let's look at the pair of match-ups that will decide who competes for the World Series.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

This best of seven series gets underway on Thursday when the Dodgers travel to Philadelphia for the first of two road games in what is an intriguing contest. Derek Lowe is on the hill for the Dodgers once again for the all important first game. Lowe has the experience and poise needed and pitched very well in game one against Chicago.

Cole Hamels started game one against Milwaukee and again gets the assignment for the Phillies on Thursday.

I really think the Dodgers need to win game one more than the Phillies do - and manager Joe Torre has made the right decision to start Lowe given his edge in experience over Hamels. He will be able to withstand the vocal crowd and the pressure that comes with post-season play.

On the hitting side of things Manny Ramirez showed just what a powerhouse hitter he is by picking up a pitch from his ankle and blasting it to centre field to score his 25th post-season home run. I have rarely seen any hitter pick up a pitch from so low down and deliver that kind of power so the left-handed Hamels could feel the pressure when Ramirez steps in to the box on Thursday.

Philadelphia have some hitting power in players like Chase Utley. Hailing from Southern California, I'm sure Utley will put sentiment to one side when he takes the field against the Dodgers.

The Phillies score a lot of runs at home so the Dodgers will need to pitch well in both the first two games to give themselves a chance of at least splitting the first two games.

The Dodgers are [2.02] to win the series and I think it is the value bet in what promises to be a very exciting series that could go to six games.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Back in April, who would have thought the unheralded Rays would be hosting divisional rivals the Red Sox for the chance to go to the World Series? Obviously not the layer who offered odds of [50.0] for Tampa to land the AL pennant.

Despite that, the Rays have hounded the Sox all year and hold a 10-8 overall record against them, with the series beginning on Friday.

Boston will start Daisuke Matsuzaka for game one and he has a most impressive 18-3 record for the season. The Japanese-born pitcher comes in to this game on six days rest following his no decision against the Angels last Friday. In fact this Boston team are have plenty of pitching strength with Beckett, Lester and Tim Wakefield likely to follow in games two three and four.

Manager Terry Francona is sure to have his team very well prepared to face the Rays but as he has already found out it is not easy to win at Tropicana Field and the noise level will be deafening as Tampa try to deliver the knockout blow to the reigning World Champions.

The Rays start with James Shields in game one and he brings a very impressive 2.59 ERA at home which shows just how tough the Rays are at home. Manager Joe Madden has led this team to the brink of a World Series but the Sox will not go quietly and I feel it is imperative for the Rays to win both home games before heading out of town for game three.

Tampa come into this series relatively fresh after eliminating the White Sox and everyone is playing well including BJ Upton who is hitting impressively.

For me this is a real David versus Goliath match-up, but I believe the Rays can get it done in six or even seven games to make it to the World Series.

At present the Rays are [2.2] to win the Championship Series but will be considerably shorter if they win game one. The Rays are [4.0] to be crowned World Champions but I think we should take it one dream at a time.