BOSTON -- Archbishop of St. Louis Robert J. Carlson challenged Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley to a friendly wager, as the Boston Red Sox prepared to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series Oct. 17.

Whoever wins, no one loses, because each archbishop promised to donate $100 to Catholic Charities in the opposing city if their team comes up short.

The 2013 World Series and the wager mark a storied history between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals, as each team holds two championships in the past 10 years. Boston takes the mound with an epic worst-to-first record, as the Cardinals bring 11 World-Series wins to the plate.

In World Series play between the clubs, the Cardinals have the edge with wins over the Red Sox in series that went seven games in 1946 and 1947, before the Red Sox swept the Cardinals in 2004.

Catholic Charities in Boston and St. Louis, and throughout the United States, provides a broad spectrum of social service care to thousands of individuals and families. Every gift matters for the mission of Catholic Charities and for the people who turn to the Church for assistance in times of need. For further information on Catholic Charities in St. Louis visit www.ccstl.org. For Catholic Charities in Boston visit www.ccab.org.