The Philadelphia Phillies won the opening game of the World Series 6-1 over the host New York Yankees on Wednesday due largely to the incredible pitching of Cliff Lee.

“To me he sets the tone by his rhythm, getting the ball back, and he knows what he’s going to do and he knows what he’s going to throw,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “I like the way he pitches. I like everything about how he goes about it.”

The Phillies, who won last year’s World Series, brought their game, which didn’t seem to phase Yankees captain Derek Jeter. “We’ve just got to win a game, it’s nothing more complicated than that,” Jeter said.

Game Two of the best-of-seven series will be in New York on Thursday with the Phillies starting Pedro Martinez against A.J. Burnett of the Yankees.

The 2008 MLB season is about a month old now and there have been some changes with possible MLB futures. The experts will suggest that hey, its only April…teams shouldn’t make their postseason plans or panic just yet. That said, a number of oddsmakers have started posting the following sports betting odds on who will win the 2008 Major League Baseball World Series.

The Boston Red Sox are still the favorite to win at +485 followed by the New York Mets +625, New York Yankees +750 and the Los Angeles Angels +1000. The Arizona Diamondbacks who are off to a decent start are now +1300 while the Detroit Tigers who were favored by many to win the AL Central have had their odds drop to +1400. The Florida Marlins are in first place in the NL East and are +15000 to win the World Series and still +6600 to win the National League Pennant. A few other first place teams to have long shot odds include the Chicago White Sox, leading the American League Central right now with a 11-7 record. Chicago is still +3500 to win the World Series and +2000 to win the AL pennant.The Oakland A’s are another early season underdog, sitting in first place of the AL West with a 12-8 record. Oakland is +6600 to win the World Series and +3800 to win the American League pennant.

A quick look at the first place teams at the present times and the odds to win the World Series, tell the whole story about baseball being a long season and a good April does not guarantee a good October.

Teams sitting close to the bottom of their respective divisions that could make a move and bring a lot of value are the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are +900 to win the NL pennant and +2800 to win the World Series. Other value teams which could surprise include the Los Angeles Dodgers who are +800 to win the National League and +2500 to win the World Series and the Cleveland Indians who are +650 to win the American League and +1400 to win the World Series.