LAS VEGAS — Oddsmakers have picked the Yankees and Cardinals as favorites to meet in the World Series and think New York will win.
The Yankees are 3-2 favorites to win the championship. Odds for Boston were set at 9-2, the Angels at 11-2 and the Twins at 25-1.
St. Louis is considered the NL favorite at 9-2 odds for the series, but not by much ahead of the Phillies at 11-2 and Dodgers at 6-1. The Rockies were 14-1.
Former pitcher dies
HOUSTON — A sheriff’s official in Georgia said former major-league pitcher Brian Powell died Monday at a hospital in Tallahassee, Fla., from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 35.
Powell was 7-18 with a 5.94 ERA in 59 games for Detroit, Houston, San Francisco and Philadelphia. He last pitched in the majors with the Phillies in 2004 and spent 2005 in Triple-A for Washington.
Footnote.
The Brewers announced an $8 million, one-year contract with career saves leader Trevor Hoffman with a mutual option for 2011.
Hoffman converted 37-of-41 save chances this season to give him 591 for his career.
