Twenty-four percent (24%) of major league baseball fans believe the Boston Red Sox are going to win their second World Series title in just four years this season. However, 19% think that the New York Yankees will win it all for the first time since the Fall Classic of 2000.

Currently, the two teams are fighting it out for the American League East championship. The winner will get bragging rights, but the loser is virtually assured of entering the play-offs as a Wild Card team.

Nine percent (9%) think the Los Angeles Angles will win the series this year and 7% say the New York Mets will wind up on top. Six percent (6%) envision a title for the Cleveland Indians and no other team reaches 5%.

In June, 24% thought the Red Sox would win, 13% picked the Yankees, and 11% named the Detroit Tigers as likely champs. The Tigers were recently swept by the Indians and now have only a long-shot chance of even qualifying for the play-offs.

A preseason survey found that 16% expected the Yankees to win. Before the first pitch was tossed, 11% picked the Red Sox and 9% the Tigers.

Twenty-seven percent (27%) of fans expect the Red Sox to win the American League championship while 20% think the Yankees will claim that title for the 40th time. Twelve percent (12%) think the Angels will win the pennant and 7% say it will be the Indians.

Thirty percent (30%) believe the Mets will represent the National League in the World Series.

Fifty-two percent (52%) of baseball fans believe Alex Rodriguez will pass Barry Bonds and become the All-Time Home Run champion before he retires. Twenty-six percent (26%) say he will not while 22% are not sure.

The telephone survey of 666 Major League Baseball fans has a margin of sampling error equal to +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

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