WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — Purdue, riding a five-game winning streak and sitting atop the Big Ten standings, hosts reeling Indiana on Saturday afternoon at Alexander Field in a series opener that will test the Boilermakers’ consistency against a rival desperate for a turnaround.

Purdue (31-15) enters on a high after sweeping Murray State last weekend, outscoring the Racers 35-17 in three games. The Boilermakers have the Big Ten’s best record and are eyeing a postseason push, but Saturday’s 4 p.m. first pitch comes with a weather watch: the forecast calls for rain and temperatures around 64 degrees, which could affect starting pitching decisions and the pace of play.

Indiana (21-27) has lost seven of its last nine games, including dropping two of three at Northwestern. The Hoosiers are trying to avoid falling further below .500, and Saturday marks the first of two straight games against their in-state rival after Friday’s game was postponed.

Players to watch

Westin Boyle, Purdue’s shortstop, has been the Boilermakers’ most consistent bat. He hit a home run and drove in four runs in Sunday’s 17-8 win over Murray State, and he has reached base safely in five of his last six games. Boyle is a key part of a Purdue lineup that has scored at least seven runs in four of its last five contests.

Jake Hanley, Indiana’s first baseman, is the Hoosiers’ primary offensive threat. He homered and drove in three runs in the series opener at Northwestern — a 6-9 loss — and he has collected hits in six of his last eight games. Hanley is hitting .355 over that stretch but hasn’t gotten consistent support from the lineup behind him.

A simulation by Interstat projects a 7-4 Purdue victory, reflecting the Boilermakers’ superior depth and home-field advantage.

Indiana’s pitching staff has struggled, allowing at least six runs in seven of its last eight games. The Hoosiers will need a strong start from their bullpen to slow a Purdue offense that has scored 17, 11 and 7 runs in consecutive wins.

After Saturday’s game, the two teams meet again Sunday at Alexander Field. Purdue then heads to Ball State before a key conference series at Iowa, while Indiana returns home to host Illinois.