2013 World Series Odds

We're right in the middle of the 2012 Hot Stove season, and today, we're going to take a look at a how the World Series odds shake out as of right now.

The sportsbooks have set the co-favorites at +800 are the Los Angeles Angels, Washington Nationals, and Detroit Tigers. That's a hefty price for a World Series favorite at this point, but the truth of the matter is that it is warranted due to the fact that the normally big name clubs, the Boston Red Sox (+4000) and New York Yankees (+1000) have some major issues to tend to in the offseason. Washington made its case even stronger this week by signing Dan Haren to help solidify an already bolstered pitching staff, but the Tigers and Halos still have two of the best teams in the game for sure.

The defending World Series champs, the San Francisco Giants are +1500. Buster Posey, the league's MVP is back once again, and so will the mass majority of the team be returning. Of course, the team hopes for better out of Tim Lincecum this year, who wasn't even in the rotation for most of the MLB playoffs.

Chicago Cubs Finally Win the World Series in Our Lifetime

Have you ever wondered to yourself, Chicago Cubs fan or not, whether the lovable losers will ever win another World Series? And if they do, will you live to see it? According to many sportsbook reviews, the chances are once again slim for the 2012 season. Fortunately, your wait is over... prepare yourselves for complete and utter pandemonium.

We realize that there are many of you who have already seen this wonderful commercial. But for those of you who do not believe in the glory that is cable television, or simply cannot afford it, please do enjoy.

Houston Astros to American League, MLB Screws Things Up Adds Two Wild Card Teams

People are terrified of change. It's part of human nature. Look at NFL fans - scared, confused, and alone until like Week 4 before they get the hang of the two or three rule changes that happen every single season.

But we're not pessimists by nature. We're glass-half-full type of gals. So we're just gonna roll with Bud Selig's recent announcement and hope for the best.

Baseball's owners unanimously approved Jim Crane as the new Houston Astros' owner Thursday morning, which means the team will say goodbye to National League rules and move from the six-team NL Central to the four-team American League West as part of his agreement to buy the club. Now everything is even-steven with six five-team divisions all through baseball.

Tony La Russa to Retire from Baseball and Save all the Puppies and Kitties

February 18: It snowed in the Sahara Desert for like a half hour.

April 1: The Pinwheel Network became Nickelodeon and began entertaining children everywhere.

July 1: The Sony Walkman went on sale for the first time in Japan.

The year was 1979, the same year attorney at law Tony La Russa managed his very first baseball game. The 67-year-old skipper, who has stepped down as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals and opted for retirement, began his managerial journey with the Chicago White Sox, where he remained until 1986 when he became manager of the Oakland Athletics. He led that club to three consecutive World Series from 1988 to 1990, sweeping an earthquake-delayed Fall Classic against the San Francisco Giants in '89. He stuck around Oakland until the 1995 season before moving to St. Louis to take over the Cardinals, where he has enjoyed two Championships.

La Russa, who has managed 5,097 games, ranks third in big league history in victories (2,728), trailing only the legendary Connie Mack and John McGraw. The man has been around longer than many of you have been alive. Oddly enough, he's the first manager to ever retire immediately after winning the World Series.

Now, the vegetarian and his wife Elaine will continue their quest to save all the puppies and kitties while they head up the Animal Rescue Foundation, a no-kill shelter based in Walnut Creek, California. Ah-dorable.

Happy trails, Tony. We'll miss your chicken legs, non-stop action in the bullpen, and winning ways.

[CNN]

David Freese is an Animal, St. Louis Cardinals are World Series Champions

World Series MVP David Freese gave credit to just about everyone but himself Friday night after his Cardinals came away with a 6-2 win over the Texas Rangers to bring their 11th Championship title back to St. Louis.

The 28-year-old thanked Albert Pujols for being a great teammate who helped put him on the right path back to success. He thanked Tony La Russa for being an over-managing mess excellent manager, and Mark McGwire for little hitting tips that came up big.

There's Always Next Year, Rangers Fans

After the most ridiculous Game 6 in the history of baseball forced the decisive Game 7 Friday night at Busch Stadium, the Texas Rangers were confident that they'd bring their first ever World Series Championship back home to Arlington. However, it looks like they're going to have to wait until next October... kinda like last season.

Leading the game for a whole half an inning, the Rangers never did catch up during their 6-2 Game 7 loss, scoring only once in the first inning on a Josh Hamilton RBI double. The National League Wild Card-winning Cardinals, who were 10 1/2 games out of contention in late August, have achieved what seemed impossible, with players like MVP David Freese and Allen Craig coming up big throughout the entire postseason to bring an 11th Championship to the city of St. Louis.

But enough about that incredible World Series ride and the guys who are going home Champions, let's have a look at the losers. In sad photo montage, of course...

Ron Washington Sends Matt Harrison to the Hill for Game 7 Against Chris Carpenter

The Texas Rangers were just one strike away from their first World Series Championship not once, but twice Thursday night in what ended up being one of the most exciting Fall Classic games in baseball history.

We can't really tell whether it was a Rangers bullpen meltdown, or a surging St. Louis Cardinals comeback, but either way the rally squirrel prevailed for an 11th-inning walkoff bomb by hometown boy David Freese for a 10-9 victory to force a Game 7 at Busch Stadium.

Adam Wainwright to Stick with the St. Louis Cardinals Two More Seasons

We feel pretty sad for Adam Wainwright. The poor guy just has to sit and watch his team complete a ridiculous rally during the regular season to make it to the playoffs as the National League Wild Card. Then, he has to watch them win the NLDS, the NLCS, and go through the World Series by the skin of their teeth. Game 6 might have been enough to make him cry. He was not a player, but a spectator through this entire roller coaster season.

But the news of the St. Louis Cardinals picking up his two-year contract option for 2012-13 must have made his day. The 30-year old right-hander, who won 20 games for St. Louis last season, is rehabbing from the Tommy John surgery he underwent back in February that sidelined him for the entire season. He threw his final bullpen session just before his team walked off to beat Texas in Game 6 of the World Series on Thursday.

That Was the Most Ridiculous Game 6 in the History of the World Series

Honestly. Five errors, 11 walks, utter confusion all over the field, and eventual bat brutality completed the Cardinals' 10-9 walkoff win over the Texas Rangers Thursday night in St. Louis to force Game 7 of the 2011 World Series.

Josh Hamilton, who was told by the Lord himself that he would hit a homer in the 10th inning, and his hernia were feeling pretty darn good about that extra-inning longball (about time) until things really started to heat up. This game was a complete shitshow until about the seventh inning. I literally could not stop laughing throughout the early to middle innings, but then things got real serious real quick and shut me the hell up. The game went from a total joke to one of the best games I've ever seen in my life.

The Rangers are One Win Away from their First Ever World Series Bling

*Game 6 postponed until Thursday due to crappy weather*

Colby Lewis will have a shot at history during Game 6 of the World Series Wednesday Thursday night, when he takes the hill against St. Louis Cardinals lefty Jaime Garcia and his neatly-trimmed facial hair. Take note, Derek Holland.

Just won win away from their first World Series title ever, the Texas Rangers have one definitive plan: to more or less not pitch to Albert Pujols. Meanwhile, the wild card-winning Cardinals are back in familiar win-or-go-home territory in a tasty rematch from Game 2.

Tony La Russa Overmanages, Micromanages, Mismanages in Cardinals Game 5 Loss

With the World Series all evened up to a clean slate, tied at two games a-piece after Derek Holland's mustache took center stage in Game 4, the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers took to Game 5 with both of their aces on the hill.

Chris Carpenter lasted seven solid innings, surrendering just two runs on six hits with four strikeouts before reliever Octavio Dotel coughed up the eventual winning runs on a Mike Napoli two-run double in the eighth. Opposing pitcher C.J. Wilson tossed just over five innings with little control, walking five with two runs (one earned) on four hits. Four Rangers relievers combined for three hits to save the game and bring the series back to St. Louis with a one-game Texas lead after the 4-2 win.

We Want this Texas Rangers Grounds Crew Kid to Take us Out Dancing

In case you somehow missed this video of an absolutely adorable member of the Rangers Ballpark grounds crew randomly busting a move between the sixth and seventh innings of Game 4... please do enjoy. Ian Kinsler was not impressed, but we totally are. (Call me when you turn 18!)

Derek Holland, It's Been Fun but We Are Begging You to Shave

Texas Rangers left-hander Derek Holland threw 8.1 scoreless innings in Game 4 against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday night to come away with a 4-0 victory and tie up the best-of-seven series at two games a-piece. He was razor sharp.

All while sporting that ridiculous mustache. Puberty is uncomfortable for everyone, especially when you're on National television.

Please... please shave it off. But please don't stop your Ron Washington impersonation.

Slumpbuster! Albert Pujols Goes Berserk, Hits Three Homers in 16-7 World Series Rout

Looks like somebody enjoyed a slump buster Friday night.

After grounding out in the first inning, Albert Pujols stepped up to the plate in the fourth and finally got a hit, nailing a single to shallow left field to finally bust out of an 0-7 World Series rut against the Texas Rangers Saturday night. The following inning, he hit another single to just about the same spot. With two on and nobody out in the sixth, he pounded a three-run shot to quiet the crowd and give the St. Louis Cardinals a two-run lead before hitting another homer worth two runs in the seventh.

Theo Epstein Officially Joins Cubs, Ben Cherington Likely Replacement in Boston

A guest post from our girl Muffin Top to support her new blogging endeavors.

An incredible run that included two World Series Championships (and three extra playoff berths via Wild Card) for the youngest ever general manager in baseball at the time ended on a sour note with fried chicken, beer bellies, and mayhem last month before Theo Epstein decided to abandon ship and head for Chicago.

Not sure it will be any smoother sailing in the windy city, but Theo Epstein is always up for a challenge... except that one time he quit his general manager job for five days upon sneaking out of Fenway Park disguised as a gorilla. We all do things we're not proud of.

Epstein, now 37, officially resigned from his position as Red Sox general manager Friday night and became the president of baseball operations for the Cubs. Of course, fans on the North Side are especially giddy, considering they haven't won a World Series since back in 1908. The one man who seems equipped for the job of bringing that end of the city their first Championship in over a century made it possible for Boston after an 86-year drought before they captured another ring three years later in 2007.

World Series Heads to Arlington All Tied Up After Rangers' Ninth Inning Rally

Down to their last three outs and facing another World Series loss, the Texas Rangers hooked up some smart base-running and timely hitting to tie the series at a game a-piece with a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday night.

Allen Craig once again hit the go-ahead single, this time in the seventh, to give the Cardinals a one-run lead that lasted a whole inning. We totally knew they were gonna blow it as soon as Ian Kinsler dropped a base hit off closer Jason Motte into shallow center field over the head of Rafael Furcal and out of the reach of Matt Holliday in the top of the ninth. Those circus acts always result in at least a run or two.

Rangers Meet Lance Berkman and Allen Craig, Drop World Series Game 1 to Cardinals

Chris Carpenter came up big over six solid innings Wednesday night -- including a nice diving defensive play in the first for which Elvis Adrus deserves a thank you gift for not crushing the pitcher's right hand -- to help his St. Louis Cardinals earn a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the World Series.

After three scoreless innings pitched by both Carpenter and C.J. Wilson, it was looking like quite the pitcher's duel. But with Matt Holliday on second after a double that moved Albert Pujols to third after being hit by a pitch to lead off the fourth, Lance Berkman nailed an RBI single to give the Cardinals an early 2-0 lead.

C.J. Wilson Meets Chris Carpenter for Game 1 of the World Series

Oh my gosh it's World Series time. Finally. Those two days without baseball sucked.

C.J. Wilson and the Texas Rangers are already in St. Louis getting all geared up for Game 1 against Chris Carpenter and the Cardinals tonight at 8:05pm ET on FOX.

You know, something about C.J. bothers me. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I never have trusted a man who doesn't drink. However, I might change my mind and give him the benefit of the doubt if he pitches a 1-0 shutout and one of his teammates rips his jersey off.

The Rangers are Headed to St. Louis to take on the Cardinals in the World Series

At last, the Rally Claw meets the Rally Squirrel. Wonder who would win in a bench-clearing brawl...

The Texas Rangers didn't have to wait very long to see who they'd end up facing in the 2011 World Series. Just a day after they beat the Detroit Tigers to punch their ticket to the Fall Classic, the St. Louis Cardinals emerged victorious in Game 6 to send the Milwaukee Brewers packing for the offseason.

This matchup is going to be pretty awesome, pitting All-Star sluggers Josh Hamilton against Albert Pujols, while guys like Nelson Cruz and David Freese have become household names as Championship Series MVP's. Then there's the relief corps, which can clearly handle just about any task put in their paths as the starters from both sides have been less than reliable recently.

Texas Rangers Win American League Pennant, Nelson Cruz Earns Series MVP

The world of baseball has never seen anything like what Nelson Cruz displayed over the entire American League Championship Series. In fact, over the 142-year history of Major League Baseball, no one had ever topped his performance.

After a terrible ALDS in which he went 1-for-12 with five strikeouts, Cruz absolutely lit up both ballparks, hitting .364 with a big league-record six home runs and 13 RBI in the ALCS. The guy was completely out of control.

Meanwhile, we can't decide whether the Rangers embarrassed the Detroit Tigers or the Tigers embarrassed themselves. Between an incredible display of incompetence on the field and a lack of timing and finesse at the plate, they were crushed 15-5 and sent packing for the offseason Saturday night.