The Philadelphia Phillies are favored in 2010 National League pennant odds to defend their title this season and make a return trip to the World Series. Unlike the American League, there are some teams that could trip up the Phillies and win the National League. Philadelphia is the 3 to 1 favorite in MLB betting at online sportsbooks to win the National League pennant. The Phillies could have had a one-two punch of Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee but they blew it and let Lee get away to the Mariners. They may end up regretting that decision. Halladay becomes the ace of the staff but the key now becomes whether or not Cole Hamels can rebound from what can only be called a puzzling 2009 season. If not, the Phillies are beatable.

The St. Louis Cardinals are the second choice in National League odds at online sportsbooks at 5 to 1. The Cardinals have the best pitching duo in the National League with Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright and the best hitter in all of baseball in Albert Pujols. If a team is to get past the Phillies and win the National League then it should be St. Louis. Two teams from the National League West have single-digit odds. The Los Angeles Dodgers are 8-1 while the Colorado Rockies are 9-1 in MLB betting. The Dodgers did nothing in the off-season to improve and their rotation looks suspect while Colorado actually looks improved simply because they get Jeff Francis back from injury. Bet the Phillies 3-1 in 2010 National League odds to win the pennant with a 10% bonus and 110% poker instant bonus.

While most sports betting handicappers are focused on the NFL playoffs right now, VegasSports-Odds.com is also gearing up early for the baseball betting season by providing early 2010 World Series odds. The defending World Champion New York Yankees are favored to win in MLB betting futures as they are 11/4 at online sportsbooks. The Yankees added Curtis Granderson to improve an already potent lineup and resigned Andy Pettitte. While the Yankees have improved, their main competition the Boston Red Sox may have taken a step back with the loss of slugger Jason Bay. The Red Sox did sign John Lackey and he will definitely improve their starting pitching but Boston’s offense looks weak. The Red Sox are the co-second choice in MLB betting at sportsbooks along with the Philadelphia Phillies at 11/2 in World Series odds.

The Phillies are going to be very good again when looking at the 2010 MLB betting futures, especially since they traded for Roy Halladay. They did lose Cliff Lee though so perhaps the addition of Halladay is one of addition by subtraction. The Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies are the only three teams with World Series odds of less than 10-1. The Los Angeles Dodgers are at 12-1 at sportsbooks while the St. Louis Cardinals are listed at 14-1 in MLB futures betting. The Cardinals resigned Matt Holliday so they are going to be a major force again in the National League. With Albert Pujols and Holliday driving in runs and a pitching staff led by Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, the Cardinals are a real threat in World Series odds. Bet the 2010 World Series at Bodog sportsbook with a 10% bonus and 110% poker instant bonus.

For the first time since 2003, World Series odds will be going at least six games as the Phillies and Yankees head back to New York on Wednesday at 7:57pm EST on FOX with the Yankees holding a 3-2 series lead. The Phillies were able to power their way to an 8-6 win in game 5 on Monday and now will try and force a game 7 on Thursday. The last time World Series odds went seven games was in 2002 when the Angels beat the Giants. New York is a -210 favorite in MLB World Series odds for game 6 with a total of 9 OVER -120 at online sportsbooks.

Andy Pettitte gets the start for New York on three days’ rest while the Phillies turn to Pedro Martinez. It will be the first time the Pettitte has pitched on short notice since September 30, 2006. "Physically, for me, it obviously is a little concern, just seeing how my body is going to feel on that short rest," Pettitte said. During the 2009 postseason, Pettitte has gone 3-0 in Yankees odds and has 17 wins giving him more than any pitcher in MLB history as he tries to win New York their 27th title. Bet the Yankees -210 at home in 2009 World Series odds for game 6.