MLB Playoff Preview - Twins and Tigers for a Spot in the Playoffs

Baseball betting doesn't get any better than the MLB postseason. October's action has exciting matchups in the National and American League, which is still undecided heading into a play-in game in the AL Central on Tuesday.

In the National League, the defending World Series champs, the Colorado Rockies (+135). Philadelphia avoided a late-season collapse and heads into the postseason with pitching issues – specifically their bullpen. While the starting rotation of Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton, and veteran Pedro Martinez appears solid, the relief pitchers and closer situation with Brad  Lidge could be the team's Achilles' heel.

The Rockies are once again playing their best baseball heading into the postseason. Colorado made a run at the NL West title, but settled for the Wild Card spot after going 45-29 in the second half of the season. The Rockies’ charge is led by the red-hot bat of shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who hit .474 with two home runs and five RBI in the final five games of the schedule.

In the other NLDS matchup the St. Louis Cardinals (-145). Los Angeles nearly let its lead in the NL West slip with a late-season swoon. The Dodgers’ offense has had trouble finding its early-season form and could be a little worn out heading into the playoffs. The big bats of Manny Ramirez, Andre Ethier, and Matt Kemp all hit under .200 and totaled just four RBI in the final six games of the season.

The Cards have a steady offense behind first baseman Albert Pujols and slugging outfielder Matt Holliday. However, St. Louis' strength lies with its stellar starting pitching. The resurgence of ace Chris Carpenter as well as a standout effort from Adam Wainwright have two Cy Young contenders anchoring the Cardinals’ opening games of the series. St. Louis also has one of the best bullpens in the bigs, behind arms like Trever Miller and closer Ryan Franklin.

In the American League, the Los Angeles Angels (+105) in the ALDS for the third straight year. Boston has won the last two playoff series in dominant fashion and will depend on its balanced attack of hard-hitting and lights-out pitching. The Red Sox offense got rolling in the second half of the season, while starter Jon Lester made a push for the AL Cy Young. However, in recent starts Lester and ace Josh Beckett were shaky, leaving the bullpen to clean up their mess.

The Angels’ offense has been among the best in the majors all season, but like the past two years it will be a question of if Los Angeles can get to Boston's starters early. The Halos have always been a great on-base team but have lacked the power in the lineup to cash in those base runners. They ranked 12th in home runs this season and will look to the middle of the order to do the damage.

The New York Yankees await the winner of Tuesday's AL Central play-in game between the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. The Yankees' offseason spending is paying off heading into the postseason. New York will likely march ace CC Sabathia and righty A.J. Burnett out to the bump in the opening games of the series. The team's other big buy, Mark Teixeira, put up MVP numbers this year and veteran shortstop Derek Jeter upped his production in the second half of the season, hitting .351 with 29 RBI and 13 stolen bases.