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The All-Star Break will officially come to an end when teams get back to playing on Friday, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, who restart play as the leader in the NL Central. In the first series of the second half of 2012, the Pirates face the reigning division champions, the Milwaukee Brewers.
The headlining story of game one will almost certainly be Zach Greinke of the Brewers, though. After starting against the Astros on Saturday, Greinke was ejected in the bottom of the first after just four pitches. He started the next game on Sunday and pitched in just three innings, allowing five hits and three runs.
Now Greinke is slated to become the first pitcher since 1917 to start three consecutive games, as the All-Star Break has aided his cause.
Starting for the Pirates will be James McDonald, whose 2.37 ERA is the National League's third best mark. In his last outing, McDonald fanned 10 batters in seven innings, allowing just one run en route to victory.
The first pitch at Miller Park is scheduled to be thrown at 8:10 p.m. and will be televised on Root Sports and Fox Sports Wisconsin.
For more on the Pirates, check out Bucs Dugout. For more on the Brewers, check out Brew Crew Ball. Still not enough baseball for you? Make sure to head over to Baseball Nation for all the latest news for all 30 teams as the trade deadline nears, and the pennant races heat up.