The online March Madness betting tournament gets underway later this week, and for MLB handicappers, that mean there is only three weeks until opening day of the regular season. For baseball sports betting enthusiasts the time is now to make your early predictions for who will win the 2011 World Series.

In our opinions after the offseason they had, the Philadelphia Phillies appear to be the MLB's best option at winning the World Series. This offseason, the Phillies came out of nowhere as a third team in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, to acquire the workhorse left hander. Over the last two seasons, having Cliff Lee on your baseball team has essentially guaranteed that your team will make it all the way to the World Series. For instance, in 2009, Lee was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Philadelphia Phillies which allowed the Phillies the opportunity to get to the World Series for the second consecutive year, after winning the 2008 title.

Then last season, Cliff Lee was part of the blockbuster four team deal, that sent Roy Halladay to Philadelphia, and Lee to Seattle and then eventually to Texas. As a result, Lee was integral in the Rangers push from cursed franchise to within two wins of a World Series title in 2010.

What's perhaps most incredible about Lee signing with the Phillies as a free agent, is that they didn't have to give anyone up, well technically. Recall, early in the offseason, the Phillies allowed Jayson Werth the opportunity to test the free agent market, as the right fielder, wanted a huge raise after a career year. With Werth being signed by the Washington Nationals, it allowed the Phillies the payroll to sign Lee.

Lee along with Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, on paper make up the best pitching rotation in the history of the MLB. Add them to the Phillies core of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino, and the Phillies may not only win the World Series this season, but at least the next five.