A look at what's happening all around the major leagues Friday:
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ALL-STAR BOUND
Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole (12-3) makes his final start before heading to his first All-Star Game, where he could be named the NL starter. Cole is 7-1 with a 2.19 ERA in his last nine starts. He faces Lance Lynn (6-4) and the Cardinals.
SOUTH SIDE-NORTH SIDE
The Cubs and White Sox close out the first half with a Chicago rivalry series at Wrigley Field. White Sox rookie lefty Carlos Rodon (3-2) starts the opener against Cubs righty Kyle Hendricks (4-4). Rodon is limiting left-handed batters to a .209 average with no homers and 24 strikeouts.
HELLO AGAIN
Rockies right-hander David Hale grew up in Marietta, Georgia, and was drafted by the Braves in 2009. Hale was 5-5 with a 3.02 in 47 appearances (eight starts) with the Braves in 2013-14 before being traded to Colorado in the offseason. "It'll be a little different for David but once he gets out there and gets into the game it'll be just like any other game for the most part," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.
ON A ROLL
Oakland's Kendall Graveman (6-4) is 5-2 with a 1.78 ERA in nine starts since he was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on May 23. He faces Cleveland and Danny Salazar (7-4).
READY FOR REBOUND
Clay Buchholz gave up 10 runs -- nine earned -- in his lone start this season against the Yankees on April 12, and Boston quickly fell into last place in the AL East. Well, the right-hander had been terrific over his last 10 starts and the Red Sox have finally turned things around, winning eight of 10 and a season-high four in a row, moving 5 1/2 games back of division-leading New York. Alex Rodriguez is batting .474 with a homer and nine RBI against Buchholz.