MLB World Series odds were strong for each of the four remaining playoff teams – the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels – entering the final four. After all, each team was a division winner playing in a big baseball market.

One possible World Series permutation that had West Coasters excited was the Battle of L.A. (or, California) between the Dodgers and Angels. However, with each team trailing in its League Championship Series, that dream is fading. At this point, both teams might be shelving their baseball equipment and heading to the golf course instead. Who has a better chance to make the Fall Classic?

The Dodgers are in big trouble – especially because the very weaknesses everyone worried about entering the series have been exposed. We knew the Dodgers are a defensively sound, speedy team with good overall hitting and a great bullpen. We also knew they had poor pitching depth compared to the Phillies. The Dodgers’ third starter is Vicente Padilla; the Phillies’ sixth starter would be Jamie Moyer. The Phillies are just so much deeper. Worse yet, L.A.’s reliable relief pitching is even starting to falter, as Jonathan Broxton blew the save in Game 4.

The Angels have their work cut out for them too, of course, playing against the powerful New York Yankees. There simply isn’t an easy out in the Yankees rotation, so no Angels starter has it easy. Things are especially tough when the Yanks send C.C. Sabathia to the mound on top of their powerhouse offense; it’s almost unfair.

I still think the Angels’ prospects are better, though. People forget that they joined the Yankees in the MLB top two in runs, average and hits. Their bats can keep pace with New York’s for the most part. The Angels also have the deeper pitching staff; whereas the Yankees risk tiring out Sabathia by starting him for the second time in four games, the Angels go to a fresh Scott Kazmir, who historically kills the Yankees.

Ultimately, I don’t like either L.A. team’s chances to reach the World Series now but, if I have to pick one, the Angels, the Northbet series Favorite, are better positioned to make a run at the big dance.