AP Sports Preview

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Texas A&M Aggies (31-7, 13-2 SEC) visit the Florida Gators (28-14, 9-9) on Friday afternoon at Alfred A. McKethan Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. under clear skies and 79 degrees.

Texas A&M, winners of eight of its last nine, enters on a high after a series sweep at LSU. The Aggies’ pitching staff has been dominant, led by right-hander Weston Moss (5-0, 2.70 ERA). In Sunday’s 5-2 win over the Tigers, Moss fired 4 1/3 hitless innings with five strikeouts. Over his last two outings, Moss has allowed zero earned runs across 8 2/3 innings.

Florida counters with on a three-game losing streak after Tuesday’s 7-5 loss to Jacksonville. Left fielder Blake Cyr has been the Gators’ most dangerous bat, homering in four straight games entering Friday. Cyr went 3 for 5 with a home run against Jacksonville on Tuesday and 2 for 4 with two homers and five RBIs in an 8-5 loss to Auburn on April 18.

The Aggies lead the SEC West and rank among the nation’s best in run differential. The Gators sit near .500 in conference play but have taken two of three from Georgia and Auburn this month.

Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-4 Texas A&M victory.

This is the opener of a three-game series. The teams meet again Saturday and Sunday.