Perhaps more than any other sport, baseball playoffs have a way of attracting even the most mildly interested fans and transporting them into an atmosphere so powerful that three months ago it would have barred no resemblance to the old favorite pastime.

Starting line-up cards are “must see TV” now as the game gets set to start. People want to know, “What kind of year did Jeter have?” and, “Is New York really the favorite, again?”

Post-season does something to make baseball 10 times more attractive and perhaps the fact that it ties in so nicely with football betting season, the start of basketball and even the lead into college football games that mean everything as far as qualifying for Bowl games go; sports bettors like to have action.

As the American League playoffs advance, the New York Yankees remain the biggest favorite to win their opening round series. The Yanks are so heavily favored to represent the American League in the World Series this year that sports bettors are being asked to lay juice on New York (-125) to win the pennant.

World Series prices get a little bit more reasonable with New York (+175) still leading the way followed by Boston and Philadelphia, though the shutout suffered by Boston in Game 1 of its series with the Angels is going send Red Sox stock for a slide.

New York is led by a team of veterans and driven by youthful exuberance. The Yanks have got great starting pitching and besides Mariano Rivera, who is still considered the best closer in the game, also have a qualified bullpen.

Baseball playoffs are all about teams performing in the clutch and other than New York; the next two candidates in line have all proven this season that they have what it takes to get the job done.

Boston beat New York eight-straight times to start off the regular season. Of course, New York did win nine of the next 10 but maybe it’s the Red Sox turn to get hot again.

The Phillies are the reigning World Series champions and can simply not be ruled out. Although it should be pointed out that no National League team in the last 87 years has repeated as champ other than the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds.

The Cards had a winning record in 2008 but missed the playoffs altogether. After waiting patiently it seemed St. Louis was ready to take advantage of this opportunity but after watching them lose two in a row to the Los Angeles Dodgers it appears Cardinal backers will have to wait another year.