Vegas Play of the Day: White Sox at Indians

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Tuesday, May 29, 2018 | 11:57 a.m.

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.

Chicago White Sox plus-245 at Cleveland Indians: $400 to win $980: On paper this looks like a complete mismatch, as Cleveland starter Mike Clevinger is enjoying a breakout season (3-2, 3.32 ERA) and Chicago starter Lucas Giolito is sporting a ghastly 7.53 ERA. But I think there is value in betting the White Sox as a huge underdog.

Giolito's numbers have been skewed by his most recent start, a disastrous outing in which he allowed seven earned runs in 1.1 innings. He allowed two home runs in that contest, but that performance looks like an outlier. In his previous five starts, Giolito didn't allow more than four earned runs and only gave up two homers. He's capable of bouncing back and keeping this game close for five or six innings.

Obviously, the Indians are a much better team with a much better pitcher on the mound. But the line is high enough that I'm willing to bet on the underdog and hope for a big return.

Current Standings: Keefer (33-27-1, $10,916), Granger (17-16, $9,459), Grimala (16-21, $6,565), Brewer (26-29-1, $4,870)