As the Breeder’s Cup betting rolls along, the World Series is starting to wind down. The Texas Rangers have -320 odds on winning it all this year, which would be a crowning achievement for team president Nolan Ryan and his players. The Rangers were told that it could not repeat as AL champions without a marquee pitcher such as Cliff Lee. Texas answered by making C.J. Wilson a marquee pitcher and pushing the World Series to a sixth game.

The end of the 2011 season raises some interesting price per head bookmaking questions about the Philadelphia Phillies. After spending a lot of money on big name starting pitchers, it was the Phillies’ bullpen and offense that let the team down in the playoffs. Slugger Ryan Howard is expected to be back for next season, but the Phillies need to work on its bullpen and batting order to win it all in 2012. Could Albert Pujols be headed to Philadelphia? It will be an interesting off-season.

Yankees’ pitcher C.C. Sabathia was the reason for many low MLB scores this season. Sabathia was a presence every time he took the mound, and now the negotiations will begin to see if he stays in New York. The Boston Red Sox may be looking to dismantle its disgruntled pitching staff, and that may create a need for Sabathia in Boston. This will be another interesting story to watch in the 2011 baseball off-season. Sabathia to Boston would push the emotional pitch on the New York-Boston rivalry even higher.