May 6 National League probable pitching matchup capsules

Few pitchers in baseball have gotten worse run support than Washington’s Jordan Zimmermann. He has one of the best ERAs in the NL but only one win to show for it. He take the mound for Sunday night’s ESPN national game in the series finale with Philly. Bet on Phils-Nats and every game at WagerWeb.com!

Arizona at NY Mets – Diamondbacks RHP Trevor Cahill (2-2, 3.13) vs. Mets RHP R.A. Dickey (3-1, 4.45): Cahill had his finest outing in a D-backs uniform when he held the Nats to one run on six hits in 7 1/3 innings. At times this year, Cahill has struggled with his command, but he seemed to put it together in Washington. … Dickey took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his last start in Houston. Dickey got a no-decision, working six innings while allowing three runs on three hits. He struck out six and walked two.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh – Reds RHP Mat Latos (1-2, 5.97) vs. Pirates RHP Charlie Morton (1-2, 4.22): Latos is 2-8 with a 5.73 ERA and 14 homers allowed lifetime in April since 2010. The good news is he’s been much better in the other months. In 12 career May starts, he is 7-3 with a 2.41 ERA and five homers allowed. … Morton is coming off his worst start of 2012, giving up five earned runs in 4 1/3 innings of a 10-7 loss at St. Louis on Tuesday. He gave up a three-run homer to David Freese in the fifth that broke a 2-2 tie. Morton struck out five and walked two.

St. Louis at Houston – Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright (1-3, 6.75) vs. Astros LHP J.A. Happ (2-1, 4.60): Wainwright won his last start, even though he did surrender two more homers. He’s now given up seven, nearly half as many as he allowed in 33 starts in 2010. He continues to search for consistent command, though his last two starts have been better. … Happ, who struggled last season with the Astros before being sent down to the Minors, has had four quality starts in his last five outings. The Astros are 3-2 in games started by Happ this season. Happ has 31 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings.

LA Dodgers at Chicago Cubs – Dodgers RHP Aaron Harang (1-2, 5.71) vs. Cubs RHP Chris Volstad (0-3, 6.11): Harang has given up at least three earned runs in every start this season and comes off his worst outing, a loss to Colorado in which he allowed five runs and six hits in 5.2 innings. … Volstad, who moved up in an exchange of starts with Jeff Samardzija, struggled in the first inning against the Phillies as he allowed four runs on five hits in a loss. He allowed just three hits over the next five innings.

Atlanta at Colorado – Braves RHP Brandon Beachy (2-1, 1.38) vs. Rockies RHP Juan Nicasio (2-0, 4.40): Beachy has worked into the seventh inning in four straight starts and allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his five starts. Opponents are hitting .193 against him. He lasted 4 2/3 innings in his only Coors Field start. … Nicasio gave up two runs on nine hits — one a Matt Kemp homer — and struck out four in a win against the Dodgers on Monday night. He relied on his fastball, but to keep from becoming predictable, he used it on both sides of the plate.

Miami at San Diego — Marlins RHP Ricky Nolasco (3-0, 2.76) vs. Padres RHP Joe Wieland (0-4, 4.91): Brilliant at San Francisco (one run in 7 1/3 innings) to start the road trip, Nolasco looks to string together two straight wins away from home. If he does, he will match Dontrelle Willis’ franchise-record victory total of 68. … After four starts, Wieland is still searching for his first big league win. On Monday, he gave up five runs (three earned) in five innings, including two homers to Ryan Braun. Wieland struck out a career-high eight and walked two (one intentional).

Milwaukee at San Francisco – Brewers RHP Shaun Marcum (1-1, 3.19) vs. Giants RHP Matt Cain (1-2, 2.35): Marcum worked seven scoreless innings against the Padres in Tuesday, which manager Ron Roenicke said should “really get him locked in.” Marcum has met the definition of quality start in four of five outings. … Cain’s scoreless-innings streak at AT&T Park ended at 21 innings last Tuesday when the Miami Marlins pushed across a fourth-inning run against him. Before that, he hadn’t allowed a run at home since last Sept. 13 against San Diego.

Philadelphia at Washington – Phillies LHP Cole Hamels (3-1, 2.78) vs. Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmermann (1-2, 1.89): Hamels allowed six hits, two runs, two walks and struck out six in six innings Tuesday against the Braves. He hopes to go a little deeper in what could be an important game in the series finale against the Nationals. … Zimmermann allowed four runs — three earned — in 6 1/3 innings Tuesday. In Zimmermann’s five starts, the Nationals have averaged fewer than three runs per game. Zimmermann said he doesn’t feel he has to be perfect every time he pitches.

Place your MLB baseball bets at our online sportsbook!