How about we extend this All-Star break another week or so? Ideally I’d really appreciate the return of the sport, but honestly, I don’t quite miss baseball yet. I mean, I actually managed to finish a book during the All-Star break. An adult American reading an honest-to-goodness 900-page book in their spare time? Doesn’t that deserve a little consideration??

But the calendar marches on, and tonight the Reds open up the second half against the Pirates. Pittsburgh found itself nudged into second place behind the Cardinals just before the break, so the Reds have the opportunity to fix their eyes on the target directly in front of them.

And lest you worry that the Reds got less rest than the Pirates due to the All-Star game, realize that the Pirates’ actually had more reps in the midsummer classic. That includes two pitchers. Apparently the All-Star game rewards hitting a lot of guys.

Hopefully it will be an entertaining game at least. Mike Leake (RHP, 8-4, 2.69 ERA) will start for the Reds, and he’s due for a little good luck. He’ll have his work cut out for him as the Pirates send out Francisco Liriano (LHP, 9-3, 2.00 ERA). First pitch at 7:10 p.m.