Baseball Betting News: National League Ends All-Star Skid

For the first time since 1996, the National League was able to come out on top in an All-Star Game. The National League posted a 3-1 win over the favored American League last Tuesday at the 2010 Midsummer Classic in Anaheim. Along with league pride, the victory will enable the NL to have the homefield advantage in a World Series for the first time since 2001. This could be critical for a decisive seventh game. In the last eight World Series that have gone the distance, the home team has emerged from game seven as the champion. The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates were the last road squad to win a seventh game in a World Series. Braves a solid favorite to win NL pennant The Atlanta Braves could be the team that ultimately benefits from its league's success in the All-Star Game. With the biggest divisional lead in all of baseball, the Braves are a +240 favorite to claim its first pennant since 1999. Through July 18th, Atlanta has a five-game lead in the NL East. The St. Louis Cardinals are the next choice at +495. St. Louis is just a half game in front of the surprising Cincinnati Reds in the NL Central. The Reds (+540) are just behind the Cardinals in the NL pool. Cincinnati's last pennant was back in 1990. Like the Reds, the San Diego Padres (+650) have become a surprise contender in the 2010 MLB campaign. The club has the league's best record at 54-37. The two-time defending NL champion Philadelphia Phillies are still in the hunt at odds of +725. Yankees lead the pack in AL The New York Yankees lead the way in the AL pennant chase at odds of +130. The defending World Series champions have the best record in baseball at 58-33. New York holds a 3-game edge over the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.?  The Texas Rangers (+275) are hoping to break through to win its first pennant in the history of the franchise. Texas holds a 4.5-game advantage over the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West. In 49 prior seasons, the Rangers franchise has won just a single game in the postseason and has never reached a league championship series. The Rays are the next option at +470. Tampa Bay may have to focus on a wild card bid to reach the playoffs in the AL.