Associated Press
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta reacts after throwing his first career no-hitter during the ninth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Los Angeles. The Cubs won 2-0.
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015 | 12:02 p.m.
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We've reset the Play of the Day with fresh bankrolls and turned it into a yearly competition. Our three sports writers have restarted with $10,000 bankrolls to continue using odds from the South Point.
Pittsburgh Pirates plus-120 vs. Chicago Cubs: $250 to win $300
I’m not thrilled about lining up against Jake Arrieta in today’s wild card game. I just don’t see any other choice on the board.
The under was a consideration given the duel between Arrieta and Gerrit Cole, but 5.5 runs leaves no wiggle room in case of a bullpen implosion. Arrieta may well run through the Pirates for the second time in less than two weeks — he gave up one hit and struck out nine in a 4-0 win on Sept. 27 — but it’s not going to be as easy as the betting market is making it seem.
The Pirates opened at even money, and the action has pushed them all the way to plus-120. The line implies less than a 45 percent chance of Pittsburgh winning the one-off game, which is too low for my liking.
This is a team that posted the second-best run differential in the National League, after all. And, for the year, Cole was nearly as impenetrable as Arrieta.
Chances are the National League wild card game is decided by one run either way. I’ll take the better price with the home team.
Current Standings (as of July 1): Brewer (16-13, $10,260), Bern (12-13, $10,230), Keefer (9-22-1, $3,721)
2014-15 Champion Bern (94-86-1), Keefer (93-106-3), Brewer (85-100-2)
Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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