Vegas Play of the Day: Arizona at Pittsburgh

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, July 3, 2014 | 11:09 a.m.

Here’s the latest installment of the Play of the Day, which uses odds from the South Point. Our three sports writers started with a $10,000 bankroll — fictional, of course.

Pittsburgh Pirates (minus-1.5, +150) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: $500 to win $750 : Yes, this is the exact same play I used yesterday — so what. In my desperate attempt to remain in our Play of the Day contest, I’m betting what I know. I’m a Pirates fans, and they are baseball’s hottest team.

Pittsburgh is 8-2 in its last 10 games and starting to play like the 2013 Pirates — they were one game away from the National League championship series.

After a poor April, Pittsburgh has turned things around and is four games over .500. Pitching has led the charge, including contributions from tonight’s starter, Vance Worley.

Worley, who was promoted last month from Triple-A and is pitching for a spot in the rotation, is 2-0 in three quality starts since being promoted with a 1.72 earned run average.

Meanwhile, Arizona starter Brandon McCarthy has a 2-10 record and a 5.11 earned run average. The Diamondbacks are in last place in the National League West and one of the worst teams in baseball. Last night, they committed three errors — a sign they are waving the white towel on the season.

And, make no doubt about it, I’m not waving the white towel on this contest.

Standings: Bern (33-24-1, $12,019), Keefer (28-33, $8,894), Brewer (22-34-3, $2,935)

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