Stephen Nover's Interleague Total of the Month
(MLB) Arizona vs. NY Yankees, 07/30/2019 3:05 PM, Score: 4 - 2
Total: 11.50 | -100.00 Under
Result: Loss
This is a big total. But it's not big enough given the pitching matchup, circumstances and numbers.

The pitching matchup: Taylor Clarke versus lefty J.A. Happ. Clarke is terrible. I rate him in the last level of starting pitchers. Happ has the highest ERA of any Yankees starting pitcher at 5.23. Happ is facing an Arizona team that ranks second in the majors in batting average and third in slugging percentage versus lefthanded pitching.

Clarke probably kept his spot in Arizona's starting rotation - at least for this game - by pitching decently against the Orioles during his previous outing when he allowed two runs in six innings. That was at home against a very bad Orioles squad that ranks 26th in runs.

Now Clarke pitches at Yankee Stadium for the first time against a foe that has hit the second-most homers and scored the second-most runs in the majors. Clarke may not have his full concentration either since his wife gave birth to a girl this past Thursday.

Clarke has a 6.10 ERA. He has surrendered 13 homers in 51 2/3 innings.

Both bullpens are not in good form. Arizona is searching for a closer.

The Over has cashed during each of the Yankees' last nine games.

The weather conditions are ideal for a lot of scoring, too. The forecast is for temperatures in the low 90's with wind blowing out to left at 10-12 mph.