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. 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 are better positioned to make a run at the big dance.

If you’re going to increase your World Series odds, the trade deadline is the time to do so as you can find some great players out on the market. Here’s a look at four teams who won out, and two that failed to make a much-needed move.

Philadelphia got Cliff Lee from Cleveland after not giving in to Toronto’s demands for Roy Halladay, and he proceeded to throw a complete game in his debut. This helped the defending World Series champions leapfrog the Dodgers for the best bet in the National League, and he instantly aids a pitching staff that has been shaky, at best, this season.

Boston is just behind the rival Yankees in this year’s World Series odds, but by picking up Victor Martinez in the Cleveland fire sale, and Casey Kotchman from Atlanta, the Red Sox are loading up on bats and depth for a postseason push.

The Chicago White Sox made a late deal for Jake Peavy, who makes the move from San Diego, and when he’s healthy, the White Sox have a rotation that can rival anyone in the American League. The White Sox have longer World Series odds than American Central rivals Detroit and Minnesota, but if Peavy can get healthy, they’re the frontrunners for the division.

St. Louis picked up Matt Holliday from cash-strapped Oakland, giving them some protection for Albert Pujols, who now has Ryan Ludwick and Holliday batting behind him. Teams will now pay a bigger price if they choose to pass on Pujols, who leads the majors in intentional walks by 20.

Los Angeles Dodgers/Texas: it was tough to decide on both these teams, so they both lose. How they could pass on either Lee or Halladay, it’s a wonder. The Rangers have gotten this far with an overachieving pitching staff, and either pitcher would have given them a huge second-half lift as they chase the Angels in the American League West. As for the Dodgers, they badly need someone in the rotation as they are 13^th in the National League in quality starts. Think having Lee or Halladay leading the rotation would boost their World Series odds?

New York had much better World Series odds than Cincinnati coming into the season, but if you would have told an online sports betting player that the Reds would have a better record going into the All-Star break, you’d be committed to a mental institution. The two meet in the Big Apple on Saturday night in the second of a three-game series.

Cincinnati Reds vs New York Mets – Saturday, July 11, 7:10 PM ET

Johnny Cueto (8-5, 3.45) didn’t even make it out of the first inning in a 22-1 loss at Philadelphia, allowing nine runs on only five hits, including a pair of homers. It may be just as bad on Saturday night, as he is 0-1 in two starts against the Mets in his career, with an ERA of 10.80. Cueto has been decent on the road this year with a 6-3 mark in 10 starts away from home.

Johan Santana (9-7, 3.29) also made his last start in Philadelphia, but his outing went a lot better than his 23-year-old Dominican Republic compatriot. Santana gave up a pair of runs on three hits over seven innings, but still took the loss as the Mets fell 2-0. Santana’s first start of the year came against the Reds, when he gave up a run on three hits over 5.2 innings of a 2-1 victory in Cincinnati. This improved his career record to 2-0 in four starts against the Reds, although his 5.48 ERA leaves a lot to be desired. The 30-year-old southpaw is also a sparking 6-2 in nine home starts with a 2.08 ERA.