May 21 National League probable pitching matchup capsules

Want to see a high-scoring game on Monday? Then you should probably tune in to the Braves-Reds matchup as two of the NL’s worst pitchers face off in Atlanta’s Mike Minor and Cincy’s Mike Leake. Bet on Braves-Reds and every game at WagerWeb.com.

NY Mets at Pittsburgh – Mets LHP Johan Santana (1-2, 2.89) vs. Pirates LHP Erik Bedard (2-5, 3.07): Santana has five straight quality starts, but has wound up with no-decisions in four of those. The lefty has rung up more strikeouts (46) than he’s allowed hits (37), and he’s held the opposition to two runs or fewer in in five of his eight starts. … Bedard recovered in fine style from his brief bout with back spasms, keeping Washington down until allowing consecutive homers with two outs in the sixth. Most of his 44 strikeouts in 41 innings have come on breaking balls.

Washington at Philadelphia – Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez (5-1, 2.22) vs. Phillies RHP Kyle Kendrick (0-3, 5.96): Gonzalez struck out 10 over seven innings Wednesday against Pittsburgh, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks.  … Kendrick allowed three hits and one earned run in six innings Wednesday in a victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He has a 2.12 ERA in his past three starts this season and a 2.96 ERA in 13 starts dating to last season.

Atlanta at Cincinnati – Braves LHP Mike Minor (2-3, 7.09) vs. Reds RHP Mike Leake (0-5, 6.21): Minor has struggled in his last four starts and was unable to get out of the fifth inning in his last two. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said the Braves have to exercise patience, as Minor, who is just 24 years old, goes through some growing pains. … Leake is coming off of his best outing of 2012 and it was important for his status in the rotation. Against the Mets in a six-inning no-decision, he made a better effort to attack hitters and was as he said “throwing the ball with some attitude.”

Colorado at Miami – Rockies LHP Jamie Moyer (2-3, 4.20) vs. Marlins LHP Mark Buehrle (3-4, 3.17): Moyer held the D-backs lineup to just one run through 6 1/3 frames on six hits and two walks, and he also struck out five en route to earning his second win on Wednesday. … For a change, Buehrle got plenty of run support in an 8-4 victory at Atlanta on Wednesday. He failed to register a quality start for just the second time in eight outings, allowing four earned runs on six hits. Buehrle struck out four and walked one.

Chicago Cubs at Houston – Cubs RHP Matt Garza (2-1, 2.58) vs. Astros RHP Bud Norris (4-1, 3.58): Garza felt much better in his last outing, which was his second since being sidelined with the flu. He gave up two runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings against the Phillies. He’s slowly building up strength after losing 12 pounds while sick. … Norris threw 117 pitches in his last start, an 8-3 victory against the Brewers. He went seven innings, striking out nine and giving up one run. He has a 0.47 ERA in his last three starts with 21 strikeouts and six walks.

San Francisco at Milwaukee – Giants LHP Madison Bumgarner (5-3, 3.10) vs. Brewers LHP Randy Wolf (2-4, 6.38): Bumgarner owns a 2-2 record with a 3.70 ERA in four road starts. Outside of Arizona, those figures improve to 2-0, 1.26. In a 33-start stretch dating back to his first win last season, he’s 18-10 with a 2.98 ERA. … In three May starts, the 35-year-old Wolf is 0-2 with a 5.63 ERA. He held the Cubs scoreless through six innings on May 11, only to end up with a no-decision in an 8-7 Brewers win.

San Diego at St. Louis – Padres LHP Clayton Richard (2-5, 4.94) vs. Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia (3-2, 3.68): Richard pitched one of his best outings of the season in his last start. He allowed two runs, struck out six and walked none against the Dodgers. Both of his wins this season have been against the Dodgers. Limiting walks is crucial for the lefty. … Garcia put together one of his best efforts of the season in his last start against the Giants. He did not walk a batter for the first time all season and matched his career high with nine strikeouts. It resulted in his first win in nearly a month.

LA Dodgers at Arizona – Dodgers LHP Chris Capuano (5-1, 2.34) vs. Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (2-2, 5.73): Capuano suffered his first loss of the season in his last outing, but he still managed to throw a quality start. He hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any of his starts this season, during which the Dodgers are 6-2. … Corbin has had some good days and some bad days through the first four starts of his big league career. Last time out was not a good one for Corbin. He allowed six runs to the Rockies over six innings pitched.

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