Phillies, Pirates start second half with positive outlooks

(Photo credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports)
The Philadelphia Phillies will look to pick up where they left off when they begin the second half of the season on Friday with the opener of a three-game series against the host Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Phillies won a franchise-best 62 games before the All-Star break and hold a sizable 8 1/2-gamelead over the second-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East.

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