Name: Taylor ClarkeDOB: 5/14/1993 (Age 25)Height: 6’4"Weight: 200Acquired: 3rd Round George Springer Jersey , 2015 MLB DraftPosition: StarterMost Notable Tool: CommandSeason Stats: 27 starts, 13-8, 4.03 ERA, 152..."TeamsGameday ThreadsDiamondbacks NewsDiamondbacks Game ReportsFang FoodDiamondbacks Farm SystemDiamondbacks ProspectsDiamondbacks Top Prospect #7: RHP Taylor ClarkeNew,18commentsESTShareTweetShareShareDiamondbacks Top Prospect #7: RHP Taylor ClarkeRick Scuteri-USA TODAY SportsName: Taylor ClarkeDOB: 5/14/1993 (Age 25)Height: 6’4”Weight: 200Acquired: 3rd Round, 2015 MLB DraftPosition: StarterMost Notable Tool: CommandSeason Stats: 27 starts, 13-8, 4.03 ERA, 152 IP, 125/44 K/BB, 12 HR, 1.27 WHIP, 39.3% GB rate for AAA Reno2018 Season Summary: After reaching AAA and struggling a bit in 2017 Evan Gattis Jersey , Clarke spent the whole year in Reno and improved. His walk and HR/FB rates dropped to 6.9% and 7.3%, showing a strong improvement in command. Clarke’s numbers don’t jump off the page, but he was a steady and reliable pitcher for Reno all year long. Tools: Fastball 50/55, Curveball 50/50, Cutter 45/50, Change-Up 50/50, Command 55/55Clarke’s stuff does not stand out, but he maximizes what he has well. He attacks hitters with his low 90s 4-seamer at the top of the strike zone, which is why he gives up more fly balls than ground balls. It works for him as evidenced by the high infield fly ball rate (25% or better at every stop). Clarke lacks a plus pitch in his repertoire, but compensates by being able to command 4 average pitches and sequencing them to keep hitters off balance.Upside: Clarke will have to continue to keep hitters off balance to overcome his lack of a true put-away pitch, something he has learned in AAA last year. Best case scenario he becomes a #4 or 5 starter in the rotation that can eat up innings and put up solid, but not spectacular numbers overall. Despite previously undergoing Tommy John surgery in college, Clarke has proven to be durable in his 4 seasons in the Diamondbacks farm system as he’s never missed a start to date.Risk: The only risk is Clarke lacks the stuff to stick in the rotation and would have to move to the bullpen. The lack of a plus pitch is concerning a bit http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-justin-verlander-jersey , but again makes up for it with an advanced understanding of how to attack hitters. Even if he fails to stick in the rotation, I still think he’d be a reliable contributor out of the bullpen as such a move would accentuate his strengths.Likely 2019 Assignment: Clarke has nothing left to prove at the minor league level after a successful 2018 season in Reno. However, I still think he starts the year in AAA due with the MLB rotation set and would be the first man up on the pecking order. Personally I would like to see him get a long reliever role with the team so he can face MLB hitters, even if that means he throws a lot less innings. The team does have two highly regarded pitching prospects at the top of the system, so it won’t hurt the team’s depth too much to give Clarke an MLB trial. If he’s not ready, send him back to Reno and stretch him out to be a starter. ETA: 2019 Season The St. Louis Cardinals (69-57) will try to stay hot and beat the Los Angeles Dodgers (67-59) for the fourth consecutive time on Tuesday when they visit them again as large road underdogs at the sportsbooks.The Cardinals won the series opener 5-3 on Monday to earn their third straight victory against the Dodgers and 11th in 13 games overall after losing six of the previous seven meetings, according to the OddsShark MLB Database.MLB betting line: The Dodgers opened as -155 favorites (wager $155 to win $100); the total is at eight runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 4.0-0.6, Dodgers (MLB picks on every game)Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news. Why the Cardinals can pay on the MLB linesSt. Louis is playing as well as any team in baseball right now and has passed Los Angeles in the National League standings. If the postseason started today, the Dodgers would not be in the playoff field, and the Cardinals would like to keep it that way since they are in direct competition with them for one of the two wild-card spots.Rookie pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon (0-0 Dallas Keuchel Jersey , 2.04 ERA) will make his second career start, and he was nearly perfect in his first back on July 23 against the Cincinnati Reds. In that road game at Cincinnati, the 26-year-old threw seven hitless innings en route to a 2-1 win, walking three and striking out three on 116 total pitches. So the potential is there. Why the Dodgers can pay on the MLB linesLos Angeles got great news before Monday's game when it was announced that closer Kenley Jansen is back from an irregular heartbeat with no restrictions. The Dodgers struggled without Jansen, going 4-7 in the 11 games he missed and falling out of first place in the NL West.Despite losing the series opener, they also have to be happy with how Hyun-Jin Ryu (3-0, 1.77 ERA) pitched after returning from a groin injury. The 31-year-old threw six scoreless innings in a 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants last Wednesday, scattering three hits with no walks and six strikeouts. He had not pitched since May 2. Smart betting pickEven though the price is a bit high on Los Angeles in this spot, the right team is favored with a much more experienced starting pitcher on the mound. The Dodgers simply cannot afford to lose here, so look for them to bounce back with a big victory Tuesday. MLB betting trendsThe total has gone under in four of St. Louis' last six games.The total has gone under in 15 of Los Angeles' last 23 games.The total has gone under in four of Los Angeles' last five games when playing St. Louis. All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.