Well, a rather uneventful, somewhat boring MLB sports betting season comes to an end this weekend. OK, I’m being a little bitter as a White Sox fan, but at least they can still play spoiler to the one race left still to be decided. The way they’ve been playing lately, my money’s on Detroit holding onto that spot. Not that they’ll be able to parlay it into a long playoff run, though. Here’s what else sports gamblers should count on as we head into the second season.

Right now, it’ll be St. Louis vs. Los Angeles and Colorado vs. Philadelphia in the NL. So who has the edge, really, since these are all talented teams capable of catching fire and riding a wave through to the title. They all have talent, but is it’s playoff-tested talent? My thoughts may surprise you, starting with the Cardinals. I know Carpenter and Wainwright are 1/2 in popular Cy Young polls right now, but when it comes down to it, do either of these guys really scare you as a dominant playoff Ace? The way Sabathia or Beckett (when healthy) do? I don’t buy it. Aside from 2007, the Cards have found every which way to blow it in the post-season. They’re pinned right now as the best team in the NL, and don’t think they’re not aware of it. Prepare for a meltdown again? Perhaps not, but don’t expect them to cruise through the league. The Dodgers will likely win 2 games, and if Colorado squeaks by Philly, who seems to be playing uninspired, catch-up ball lately, you can expect a seven-game marathon in the NLCS.

In the AL, the Yankees should obviously be preparing for the Tigers, but let’s face it, if the Bombers don’t sweep through the weak offering from the AL Central, they don’t deserve to have the best record in the league. Will they? Probably not, depending on whether Verlander can put a gem together, but make no mistake, the Tigers are not a good team. They could barely stay 10 over .500 playing most of their games against Central teams that couldn’t even stay above ,500 period. Pathetic division with no clear leader. That’s why the Tigers are there – because nobody else could actually take the spot.

The Red Sox vs. Angels series should prove far more interesting, perhaps the most of the first round. And I love the match-up. The Red Sox are the sexy pick right now, but Beckett and Lester are banged up, and after years of failing as the “best” team in the league, the Angels are hungry. Everything from the 2005 Pierzynski phantom out to last year’s meltdown might boil over into an offensive explosion next week. And underrated pitchers like Jon Garland will finally get a chance to make more of a name for themselves.

So here’s who to bet at sportsbook com – Cards, Rockies, Yankees and Angels in Round 1. Cards and Yankees in the league championships. And….I’ll reserve further predictions until next week.