| Now is the time for all good Chicago Cubs fans to | | | | Sherman said. |
| purchase their 2007 World Series futures, before | | | | "They have Albert Pujols, but not much else. |
| numbers plummet as they always and quickly do. | | | | "Pitchingwise, they have (Chris) Carpenter, but the |
| Actually, the same advice could apply to backers | | | | Cards have a lot to do to improve." |
| of many Major League Baseball teams, though | | | | Perhaps. |
| odds on some inevitably will rise rather than drop. | | | | But St. Louis, which lost the 2004 World Series to |
| It's just that long-suffering Cubs boosters are, like | | | | Boston in four straight, could earn another trip to |
| their beloved, retired Hall of Fame shortstop Ernie | | | | the Fall Classic, this time to face Detroit, with a |
| Banks, eternal optimists. | | | | victory in New York on Wednesday. |
| When futures are posted, Cubs fans usually are | | | | The Cardinals defeated the New York Mets, who |
| first in line at the betting windows and their | | | | opened as a 7/1 co-second favorite to capture |
| numbers are legion. | | | | the 2007 World Series, 4-2 at home Tuesday |
| The Las Vegas Hilton on Tuesday set futures for | | | | night. |
| next year's Fall Classic, even before the National | | | | Two teams Sherman sounded high on were |
| League rep in this year's World Series has been | | | | Minnesota and Florida. |
| determined, and the Cubs opened at 30/1. | | | | "Going in, the Twins look good and they'll be tough |
| Had an annoucement not been made early in the | | | | IF they can keep (Johan) Santana and (Francisco) |
| week that Lou Piniella was replacing Dusty Baker | | | | Liriano healthy," he said. |
| as manager, they would have gone up at 40/1. | | | | Minnesota, which opened 2007 at 7/1 along with |
| Either way, noted SuperBook oddsmaker and | | | | the Mets, edged out the Tigers -- 8/1 to take it |
| supervisor Jeff Sherman, "They'll (odds) go down | | | | all next year -- for the AL Central Division title on |
| like they do every year." | | | | the last day of the regular season, but were |
| So will numbers on the perennial favorite New | | | | swept by Oakland in the divisional playoffs. |
| York Yankees, who were ousted early in the | | | | The Marlins were as high as 500/1 early in the |
| 2006 playoffs and went up at 9/2. | | | | 2006 campaign, but remained in the thick of the |
| "Right now," Sherman continued, "we're just trying | | | | NL postseason chase into late September. |
| to write (tickets) and offer fair value. | | | | They're 50/1 at the Hilton to cop a 2007 world |
| "The Yankees will have trouble until they get | | | | championship. |
| some pitching." | | | | "Florida had a good year," Sherman observed. |
| Somewhat surprisingly, St. Louis, which has | | | | "The Marlins are a young team with promise." |
| reached the postseason for three straight years, | | | | Pennant odds for next season will be posted after |
| was hung at 30/1. | | | | the 2006 NL pennant race is decided. |
| "The Cardinals struggled at the end of the year," | | | | |