World Series 2013: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Boston Red Sox preview, odds and predictions

Wednesday night, the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox will begin play in the 2013 World Series, making it the first time in years that the two teams with the best regular season record will meet in the Fall Classic. The series will follow the two-three-two format with the first two games taking place in Boston while the middle three (if needed) will take place in St. Louis. The final two games, if needed, will be played in Boston.

Both teams enter play incredibly similar, each squad consistently ranking in the top five of team offensive statistics during the regular season. Statistically, St. Louis does hold an edge in regards to their earned run average though playing in the National League, without facing a designated hitter on a daily basis plays a role in that. Defensively, both the Cardinals and Red Sox ranked among the top teams in Major League Baseball.

Often times, you’ll find a mismatch in the World Series but for 2013, it looks like we’ll have a true test of evenly matched squads who should at minimum give us six, but more likely seven games of hard nosed, fantastic baseball that both the hardcore fan and casual spectator will find interest in.

While I think the series could go either way, Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester should prove to be an important player given the Cardinals struggles with left handed pitching this season. If he is on top of his game, he could give Boston the advantage though St. Louis won’t go down without a fight.

Date: October 23rd – October 31st
Start Time: 8:07 p.m. ET
Location: Boston (Games 1, 2, 6, 7), St. Louis (Games 3, 4, 5)
Stadium: Fenway Park, Busch Stadium
TV Info: Fox
Runline: St. Louis + 1.5
Prices:

• St. Louis Cardinals: +110

• Boston Red Sox: -130

2013 World Series MVP odds:

David Ortiz (BOS) 15/2
Dustin Pedroia (BOS) 8/1
Carlos Beltran (STL) 9/1
Matt Holliday (STL) 10/1
Yadier Molina (STL) 12/1
Allen Craig (STL) 12/1
Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS) 12/1
John Lester (BOS) 12/1
Adam Wainwright (STL) 14/1
Michael Wacha (STL) 15/1
Matt Carpenter (STL) 15/1
Mike Napoli (BOS) 15/1
Clay Buchholz (BOS) 15/1
Koji Uehara (BOS) 15/1
Xander Bogaerts (BOS) 16/1
David Freese (STL) 18/1
Trevor Rosenthal (STL) 18/1
Matt Adams (STL) 20/1
Shane Victorino (BOS) 20/1
Stephen Drew (BOS) 25/1

Series results odds:

St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 12/1 (+1200)
St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 6/1 (+600)
St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 5/1 (+500)
St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 5/1 (+500)

Boston Red Sox 4-0 10/1 (+1000)
Boston Red Sox 4-1 6/1 (+600)
Boston Red Sox 4-2 7/2 (+350)
Boston Red Sox 4-3 4/1 (+400)