NEW YORK (Interstat) — St. John’s looks to continue its push in the Big East standings Thursday afternoon when it hosts Butler in the opener of a three-game series at Jack Kaiser Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. under partly cloudy skies with a temperature of 67 degrees.

The Red Storm (28-23, 10-11 Big East) enter the game as heavy favorites. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-4 victory for the home team. St. John’s is coming off a 8-2 loss at Villanova on Sunday, but had won two straight to open that series, including an 8-1 decision Saturday.

Ian Mowad is a key arm to watch for St. John’s. The reliever tossed 2.0 scoreless innings in the loss at Villanova on May 10, allowing no hits and striking out none. His season has been uneven: he struggled April 26 at Xavier, surrendering six earned runs in 2.0 innings, and gave up five earned runs in 2.0 innings April 18 at Connecticut. But he has shown flashes, including a scoreless 0.2-inning appearance May 3 against Creighton with two strikeouts.

Butler (17-31, 5-13) comes to New York on a three-game losing streak, including a 9-2 loss to Xavier on Sunday that capped a series sweep. The Bulldogs have lost eight of their last 10 games.

Right-hander Brock Buckley is the designated player to watch for Butler. In his most recent start May 10 against Xavier, Buckley worked 5.0 innings, allowing eight hits and two earned runs with two strikeouts. He earned a win May 3 against Seton Hall with 7.0 innings, seven hits, two earned runs and nine strikeouts. Buckley has been inconsistent, however: he allowed five earned runs in 6.1 innings April 19 against Georgetown, and surrendered two earned runs in just 1.1 innings April 25 at Creighton.

Butler’s most productive players in Sunday’s loss included Buckley, reliever Corbin Snyder (2.0 innings, no runs, two strikeouts) and shortstop Logan Crock (1-for-3, two RBIs).

The series continues Friday and Saturday at the same venue. St. John’s will look to improve its conference standing, while Butler tries to halt its slide and play spoiler on the road.