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We’ve entered the fourth season of the annual South Point-lined Play of the Day competition, effective July 1.
Starting bankrolls have reset to $10,000, with the maximum bet being to win $1,000 and the minimum wager $300. A participant's failure to place a bet on their scheduled day results in a $200 bankroll penalty.
Ray Brewer won back-to-back titles in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, after Taylor Bern prevailed in 2014-15.
Pittsburgh Pirates minus-1.5 runs at plus-155 vs. San Diego Padres: $600 to win $960: The Pirates are one of baseball’s biggest surprises this season with a 25-17 record, including 14-6 at home. They traded away two notables in Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole in the offseason, leading detractors to proclaim they were throwing in the towel on the season. That, obviously, is far from the case.
The Pirates rank near the top of baseball in most offensive statistical categories, including fifth in runs scored and slugging percentage, and third in on-base percentage at .332.
San Diego rookie starter Eric Lauer sports a 8.27 earned run average in four appearances, meaning Pittsburgh’s strong offense should flourish. Against St. Louis last week, Lauer surrendered four home runs in less than three innings.
I hate betting a team on the run line, but it appears Pittsburgh will be able to score early and often.
Current Standings: Keefer (33-27-1, $11,116), Granger (17-16, $9,859), Brewer (26-27-1, $6,270), Grimala (15-21, $5,465)
Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21