MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — Liberty and Middle Tennessee open a three-game Conference USA series Thursday evening at Reese Smith Jr. Field, with the visiting Flames looking to solidify their postseason resume against a Blue Raiders club seeking consistency.

Liberty (36-17) brings a strong overall record to the matchup but has dropped two of its last three games, including a 7-5 loss Tuesday at home to Wake Forest. The Flames feature a deep pitching staff, and right-hander Jake Potts has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen. Potts has not allowed an earned run in his last three appearances spanning 4 2/3 innings, striking out four batters over that stretch. He worked 2 1/3 innings in the loss to Wake Forest, yielding one hit with no earned runs and a strikeout.

Middle Tennessee (25-27) enters on a high note after a dramatic 10-9 win Tuesday against Memphis. Right-hander Abel Albarran led the way, tossing four innings of five-hit ball, allowing one earned run and striking out two. Albarran’s season has been uneven—he surrendered six earned runs in two innings April 28 at Vanderbilt—but his latest outing showed command the Blue Raiders will need against a potent Liberty lineup.

The Flames have been productive offensively, scoring at least seven runs in four of their previous five contests before Tuesday’s loss. Cooper Harrington, Matt Porter and Potts all turned in scoreless relief appearances against Wake Forest, but the bullpen allowed six runs overall.

Middle Tennessee’s offense has been streaky. After being held to one run in a 9-1 loss at Vanderbilt on April 28, the Blue Raiders erupted for 10 runs against Memphis. Second baseman Cooper Clapp highlighted that win with a 2-for-5 day, including a home run and two RBIs.

Thursday’s forecast calls for clear skies and a game-time temperature of 76 degrees. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-4 Liberty victory, and the ELO system gives the Flames a 72.2 percent chance to win.

The series continues Friday and Saturday, both at Reese Smith Jr. Field. Liberty’s Jake Potts and Middle Tennessee’s Abel Albarran are expected to see action later in the weekend as the bullpen roles shake out.