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After two straight shutout victories, the PIrates will look to continue their pitching dominance against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Despite their most recent wins, the Pirates have won only three of their last nine games, and they now find themselves on the outside looking in at a National League wild-card spot.
They currently trail the St. Louis Cardinals by half a game, and will look to Jeff Karstens for another quality outing. Karstens shut out the Brewers last weekend, going seven innings, while allowing no runs and seven hits.
On offense, Pedro Alvarez will look to continue to swing a hot bat. The third baseman has two home runs and seven RBI in his last two games.
Milwaukee will send Mark Rogers to the mound. The former first-round pick will make just his ninth career start.
Friday's game will begin at 8:10 PM ET.
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