June 25 National League probable pitching matchup capsules

Nationals right-hander and leading Cy Young candidate Stephen Strasburg doesn’t figure to have much trouble on Monday night at a struggling Rockies team that is also without star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Bet on Nats-Rockies and every game at WagerWeb.com.

Pittsburgh at Philadelphia – Pirates RHP Jeff Karsetns (0-1, 4.50) vs. Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (6-6, 5.04): Karstens makes his long-awaited return, from mostly shoulder inflammation and more recently a hip-flexor tweak. This will be his first start since April 17, when he departed after one inning with the shoulder issue. … Blanton has allowed a troubling 16 home runs in 41 1/3 innings over his last eight starts. He also has allowed five or more earned runs in six of his last seven starts to give him a 7.44 ERA in that span.

Milwaukee at Cincinnati – Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo (6-5, 4.22) vs. Reds RHP Mat Latos (5-2, 5.20): Gallardo has won back-to-back decisions and four of his last five, and he has pitched at least six innings in each of his 10 starts since an April 27 stinker in St. Louis. He beat the Reds at Miller Park on May 8. … Latos was hammered by the Indians but got a no-decision from a 10-9 loss on Monday. He made several mistakes in the strike zone and paid with seven of his eight hits allowed going for extra bases, including three homers.

St. Louis at Miami – Cardinals RHP Jake Westbrook (6-6, 3.83) vs. Marlins RHP Ricky Nolasco (6-6, 5.16): Westbrook, who pitched a complete game Wednesday, has been a different pitcher when pitching with at least five days’ rest (2.50 ERA) On a normal four days’ rest, that ERA is 6.00 ERA. This next outing will come with only four days off in between. … Nolasco had his worst start of the season last time out, giving up nine runs in 3 1/3 innings against Boston. The nine runs, all earned, came on nine hits, including one homer. It was the third time in 14 starts Nolasco didn’t complete five innings.

NY Mets at Chicago Cubs – Mets LHP Johan Santana (5-3, 3.00) vs. Cubs LHP Travis Wood (1-3, 4.14): Santana tossed six shutout innings against the Orioles on Tuesday night at Citi Field, allowing only four hits. The win marked his eighth quality start of the year and first since tossing a no-hitter on June 1. … Wood finally got a win, his first with the Cubs in his last start. The lefty gave up four hits over six innings and was able to escape a jam. He’s given up three runs or fewer in six of his seven starts and has a 2.92 ERA in his last four.

San Diego at Houston – Padres RHP Russ Ohlendorf (1-0, 4.50) vs. Astros LHP Wandy Rodriguez (6-5, 3.29): Ohlendorf didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning against the A’s in his first start for the Padres on Saturday. But he allowed two runs in that fifth inning. All told, he allowed three runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. He threw 85 pitches. … Rodriguez went six innings in his last start, giving up two runs. He’s had a shaky June, posting a 5.79 ERA for the month. He has pitched five innings or more in 44 consecutive starts, the third-longest streak in the Majors.

Washington at Colorado – Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (9-1, 2.46) vs. Rockies LHP Jeff Francis (0-1, 8.56): Strasburg threw 111 pitches in his last start on Wednesday against the Rays, the second-most of the season. He was once again dominant, though, striking out 10 while walking two and allowing two earned runs on five hits in seven innings. … Francis’ performance against the Phillies pleased his manager, as the veteran left-hander was efficient through five innings and surrendered just one run, which came on a first-inning solo home run off the bat of Jimmy Rollins.

LA Dodgers at San Francisco – Dodgers RHP Nathan Eovaldi (0-3, 2.35) vs. Giants LHP Barry Zito (5-5, 4.35): Eovaldi starts for the Dodgers, which means they won’t be scoring many runs. They’ve scored only three runs while he’s been on the mound in five starts since he stepped in for the injured Ted Lilly. The Dodgers have lost all of those five starts. … Zito is in the midst of a three-start losing streak in which he has a combined 10.60 ERA. In his last outing, Zito got shelled for a season-high eight earned runs, leaving before completing four complete innings for the third time this season.

Place your MLB baseball bets at our online sportsbook!