May 24 National League probable pitching matchup capsules

The Miami Marlins are making a push in the NL East and a big part of that has been the strong pitching of Anibal Sanchez, who is usually the overlooked member of that rotation. He takes the mound Thursday in a series opener against San Francisco. Bet on Giants-Marlins and every game at WagerWeb.com!

Atlanta at Cincinnati – Braves RHP Randall Delgado (2-4, 4.26) vs. Reds RHP Homer Bailey (2-3, 4.34): Delgado lasted just four innings in his previous start, a 5-2 loss to the Rays on Saturday in St. Petersburg. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed all four runs on a grand slam by Matt Joyce. … Bailey has quality starts in five of his last six starts and delivered a good outing vs. the Yankees on Saturday. The two homers he allowed vs. New York over his 6 1/3 innings were both solo shots.

San Diego at NY Mets — Padres LHP Eric Stults (0-0, 2.70) vs. Mets RHP Jeremy Hefner (0-1, 2.25): Three days after being claimed on waivers from the White Sox, Stults made a nice impression in his Padres debut, allowing two runs over 6 2/3 innings against the Angels. Stults worked fast, got 12 ground-ball outs and his change was a weapon for him. … Hefner will make his first career start for Miguel Batista, who strained a back muscle Saturday and hit the DL. In two relief outings, Hefner has allowed two runs over eight innings. He was 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA in seven Triple-A starts.

San Francisco at Miami – Giants RHP Ryan Vogelsong (2-2, 2.27) vs. Marlins RHP Anibal Sanchez (2-2, 2.32): Vogelsong’s bent on proving that his emergence which earned him a spot on the National League All-Star team last year wasn’t a fluke. He’s off to a good start, limiting opponents to a .214 batting average. … least seven innings. In all eight of his starts, he hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs. On May 3 at San Francisco, Sanchez giving up a run in 7 IP in a win.

Philadelphia at St. Louis – Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (4-4, 3.74) vs. Cardinals RHP Jake Westbrook (4-3, 2.41): Blanton struggled in his shortest start of the season, allowing a career-high four home runs in just 4 1/3 innings in a loss to Boston. The defeat ended a four-game stretch in which Blanton went 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA. … Westbrook didn’t pitch as poorly last time out as his line would suggest, as he was hurt by his defense. Still, he’s now allowed at least three earned runs in three of his last four starts. He hadn’t given up more than two in any of his first four.

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