Perry bets on Rangers' World Series win

AUSTIN (AP) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry has bet his Missouri counterpart barbeque and Dr Pepper that the Texas Rangers will beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.

If the Rangers lose, Perry will send Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon choice selections from the Salt Lick in Driftwood, Texas, along with Dr Pepper. The soft drink's parent company is based in suburban Dallas.

Nixon has put up St. Louis-style toasted ravioli, gourmet prosciutto salami, frozen custard, and Budweiser beer from St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch.

In a statement Wednesday, Perry said Nixon was about to discover "you simply can't mess with Texas."

Nixon countered that he was looking forward to seeing the Cardinals wrap up their 11th World Series title.

The best-of-seven series opens at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.