Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 12 October 2009 / Leave a comment

A World Series between both Los Angeles teams is on the cards after the Dodgers and Angels get past their play-off obstacles

"The buzz in LA at the moment is the prospect of a 'Freeway' series between the Dodgers and the Angels. If it happens we can at least enjoy post-season baseball in the sunshine."

The Boston Red Sox were sensationally swept 3-0 by the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday night. Trailing the series 2-0, Boston had a 6-4 lead in the ninth inning at Fenway Park and as Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon retired the first two batters, a victory was one out away.

But the Angels had other ideas and staged a remarkable rally scoring three runs to lead 7-6. Plenty of money was traded at the Betfair low of [1.01] on Boston only for the Angels to pull that remarkable victory.

This was a bitter pill to swallow for Boston but all credit must go to Los Angeles, who now trade as the [5.1] World Series third favourites. This was the first post-season sweep in Angels franchise history and was richly deserved. When the game ended Jered Weaver carried Nick Adenhart's jersey on to the field as a tribute to his former teammate who was killed in April.
　
The Angels will now play the [2.32] World Series favourites New York Yankees for the AL Championship. New York swept the Minnesota Twins 3-0 in a very entertaining series. The Twins had chances to win each of the three games but in the end the Yankees overpowered them with some huge hitting. The real star of the series has to be Alex Rodriguez for New York who is finally delivering in the post-season for the Yankees.

The Los Angeles Dodgers ([4.5] for the World Series) completed another sweep defeating a disappointing St Louis Cardinals team 5-1 on Saturday. The Dodgers completely outclassed the Cardinals in this series and the great Albert Pujols was not a factor. Manny Ramirez is finding his form and this team is getting hot at the right time. The Dodgers believe they can win the World Series and after this NL sweep of the Cardinals are eight games away. The buzz in LA at the moment is the prospect of a 'Freeway' series between the Dodgers and the Angels. If it happens we can at least enjoy post-season baseball in the sunshine.

The Dodgers will face either the Colorado Rockies or the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Championship .The Phillies are leading the series 2-1 after winning 6-5 in a chilly Denver last night. This game was in the hands of the Rockies but once again they gave up to many walks and allowed Philadelphia back in to this very close affair.

The Rockies are faced with a win or go home situation tonight but I think they can extend the season. Colorado start Ubaldo Jiminez.This right hander has had a great year for Colorado and is a very talented pitcher.Jiminez is a pretty accurate pitcher but he lost his positioning in the first game and took a 5-1 loss. If he starts well tonight the Colorado hitters can do the rest.

Philadelphia start reigning Cy Young winner Cliff Lee who pitched very well in game one. Lee has never pitched at Coors Field before and this could be crucial. Pitching at altitude could cause a few problems for Lee in the early going and the Rockies can take advantage.

I think the value play tonight is a small wager on the Rockies to win the Division series at [4.0]. If they win tonight then all the pressure will be on the Phillies in a deciding game five.

Recommended wagers...
Back Colorado to win Division series at [4.0]

Tags: AL Championship, Alex Rodriguez, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, St Louis Cardinals