Odds on Cubs to Win Series

Now is the time for all good Chicago Cubs fans to purchase their 2007 World Series futures, before numbers plummet as they always and quickly do.

Actually, the same advice could apply to backers of many Major League Baseball teams, though odds on some inevitably will rise rather than drop.

It's just that long-suffering Cubs boosters are, like their beloved, retired Hall of Fame shortstop Ernie Banks, eternal optimists.

When futures are posted, Cubs fans usually are first in line at the betting windows and their numbers are legion.

The Las Vegas Hilton on Tuesday set futures for next year's Fall Classic, even before the National League rep in this year's World Series has been determined, and the Cubs opened at 30/1.

Had an annoucement not been made early in the week that Lou Piniella was replacing Dusty Baker as manager, they would have gone up at 40/1.

Either way, noted SuperBook oddsmaker and supervisor Jeff Sherman, "They'll (odds) go down like they do every year."

So will numbers on the perennial favorite New York Yankees, who were ousted early in the 2006 playoffs and went up at 9/2.

"Right now," Sherman continued, "we're just trying to write (tickets) and offer fair value.

"The Yankees will have trouble until they get some pitching."

Somewhat surprisingly, St. Louis, which has reached the postseason for three straight years, was hung at 30/1.

"The Cardinals struggled at the end of the year," Sherman said.

"They have Albert Pujols, but not much else.

"Pitchingwise, they have (Chris) Carpenter, but the Cards have a lot to do to improve."

Perhaps.

But St. Louis, which lost the 2004 World Series to Boston in four straight, could earn another trip to the Fall Classic, this time to face Detroit, with a victory in New York on Wednesday.

The Cardinals defeated the New York Mets, who opened as a 7/1 co-second favorite to capture the 2007 World Series, 4-2 at home Tuesday night.

Two teams Sherman sounded high on were Minnesota and Florida.

"Going in, the Twins look good and they'll be tough IF they can keep (Johan) Santana and (Francisco) Liriano healthy," he said.

Minnesota, which opened 2007 at 7/1 along with the Mets, edged out the Tigers -- 8/1 to take it all next year -- for the AL Central Division title on the last day of the regular season, but were swept by Oakland in the divisional playoffs.

The Marlins were as high as 500/1 early in the 2006 campaign, but remained in the thick of the NL postseason chase into late September.

They're 50/1 at the Hilton to cop a 2007 world championship.

"Florida had a good year," Sherman observed.

"The Marlins are a young team with promise."

Pennant odds for next season will be posted after the 2006 NL pennant race is decided.

Lynda Collins is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of her articles at http://www.procappers.com/Lynda_Collins.htm