The World Series begins on Wednesday with the Texas Rangers favored in MLB gambling against the San Francisco Giants. The Giants have the home field advantage but the Rangers are favored in baseball gambling in Game 1 on Wednesday with Cliff Lee on the mound.
Texas -125, total 5.5 at Sbg global
The Rangers are a slight favorite in Game 1 with Lee matched up against San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum. It is a great pitching matchup and the total on the game is the lowest we have ever seen. It is extremely rare to see a total as low as six in baseball gambling but we never see a 5.5. We have it on Wednesday though with Lee and Lincecum on the mound.
Rangers Offense
The Giants were able to win the NLCS because the Phillies couldn’t hit. That is not going to be the case with Texas. The Rangers have a deep offense that score runs up and down the lineup. Josh Hamilton is their big bat but he is not the only one who can drive in runs. The Rangers have Nelson Cruz, Vladimir Guerrero and Ian Kinsler who all have power. The Rangers also have speed which is something the Phillies did not have.
The Molina Factor
How is this for poetic justice? Bengie Molina was traded from the Giants to the Texas Rangers during the regular season. Molina knows the San Francisco pitchers better than anyone and he could provide a big edge for his team in the World Series. He is also a clutch hitter as he proved in the ALCS against the Yankees.
Texas Pitching
The Giants are getting a lot of publicity in this series because of their starting staff with Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez but you can make a case that the Rangers top three is better. There is no doubt that Lee is better than Lincecum, C.J. Wilson is just as good or better than Cain and Colby Lewis is pitching as well as anyone right now. The only advantage the Giants have in MLB gambling is with Madison Bumgarner in Game 4 against Texas’ Tommy Hunter but it is not a huge edge. And by the time Game 4 comes around the Rangers may have it in firm control.