Vegas Play of the Day: Reds at Pirates

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 | 12:32 p.m.

We've reset the Play of the Day with fresh bankrolls and turned it into a yearly competition. Our three sports writers have re-started with $10,000 bankrolls to continue using on odds from the South Point.

Pittsburgh Pirates minus-125 vs. at Cincinnati Reds: $500 to win $400: This is a classic case of wagering on the better team. Forget about the pitching matchup, which is virtually even, or the fact the Reds are the home team. Pittsburgh just a minus-125 favorite because it is the road team, but it rained yesterday and the stadium won’t be half full. The Reds won’t be at an advantage.

Pittsburgh needs a win after losing 3-2 Monday in the first game of the series and should make quick work against a Cincinnati team that’s already five games under .500 one month into the season. The Reds are stuck with under-performing veteran players attached to long contracts and young players prone to inconsistent play. They struggle to score runs.

Pittsburgh starter Juan Nicasio already had success once this season against the Reds, shutting them out over seven innings of a 4-1 win April 29. It’s one of many games this season the Reds offense, which ranks 19th in runs scored out of 30 big-league teams, has been dormant. Pittsburgh ranks fourth and has five hitters in the starting lineup batting more than .300.

Current Standings (as of July 1): Brewer (46-38-2, $11,545), Keefer (46-56-2, $6,390), Bern (30-38, $5,975)

Lifetime standings: 2014-15 Champion Bern (110-112-1), Keefer (129-138-4), Brewer (115-125-4)

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21