2009 World Series Odds Game 3 - New York Yankees at Philadelphia Phillies

The World Series odds shift to Philadelphia on Saturday for Game 3 with the Yankees and Phillies on FOX tied at a game each. Andy Pettitte gets the start on Saturday for the Yankees while Cole Hamels goes for the Phillies. Hamels has not pitched well of late and that is one reason the Yankees are -120 favorites in 2009 World Series odds for game 3 at online sportsbooks. The Yankees are now -175 to win the series in futures odds down from -190. That might seem strange considering the Phillies now have home field advantage but the Yankees still get a lot of respect in World Series odds.

It also helps that New York has Andy Pettitte on the mound for game 3 at 7:57pm EST on FOX. He has won more games in the postseason than any other pitcher in history. On the other side the Phillies have Hamels who looks nothing like he did a year ago. This is turning into a World Series that people really want to watch. Game 1 was the second-highest-rated MLB postseason game since 1999. Many are predicting the series goes seven games and if that happens it would be the first time since 2002. For it to go to a Game 7, the Yankees will have to win in Philadelphia and that is something that not many teams have done in the playoffs. The Phillies are 11-1 at home in 2009 World Series odds for the last two years. Both teams may start to hit as the series moves to Philadelphia. Alex Rodriguez has yet to get a hit in the 2009 World Series while Ryan Howard struck out four times in Game 2.

Saturday’s starting pitching match-up in World Series odds has Andy Pettitte going for the Yankees. He has pitched at least 6 1/3 innings in all of his starts in the playoffs this season. He has struck out 15 batters and walked just three. Ryan Howard is just 1-for-9 in his career off Pettitte. Chase Utley is 1-for-7 off him. Pettitte has a career 2-2 record with a 3.67 ERA in seven regular season starts against the Phillies. In 11 career World Series starts, Pettitte is 3-4 with a 3.82 ERA. Cole Hamels is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three postseason starts this year. Hamels is 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA in two career starts against the Yankees. The Yankees are 11-4 in their last 15 games as a road favorite heading into game 3 World Series betting odds.

The Yankees are 37-15 in their last 52 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Yankees are 38-18 in Pettitte’s last 56 starts as a road favorite. The Yankees are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Philadelphia. The Phillies are 17-7 in their last 24 games as a home underdog. The Phillies are 14-5 in Hamels' last 19 Saturday starts. The Over is 8-2 in the Yankees last 10 games as a road favorite. The Under is 34-15-2 in Pettitte’s last 51 road starts. The Over is 4-1-1 in Hamels' last 6 starts overall. The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Philadelphia between the two teams.

Bergen's 2009 World Series Picks: I have been wrong for each game of the 2009 World Series on FOX but I think with Pettitte pitching, even I could win this game tonight in World Series odds. That being said, I'm going to jump on the wagon of many sports handicappers and take New York. My pick for game 3 of the 2009 World Series tonight is to take the Yankees -120 on the road to the OVER in a 2-team parlay. Vegas odds at the MGM Mirage sportsbook have the Yankees -125 favorites against the Phillies +105 with a betting total of 9 OVER -115.