(Interstat) — AP Sports Preview

Baylor at Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — The Baylor Bears and Utah Utes open a three-game Big 12 series Thursday at Smith’s Ballpark, with first pitch scheduled for a time to be announced. The forecast calls for temperatures in the — °F range.

Baylor (26-25) enters the series after splitting a four-game set with UCF at home last weekend, winning 8-7 on Sunday but losing 19-3 and 8-0 in the first two games. The Bears are 5-8 in their past 13 games dating to a series loss at Arizona State in late April.

Utah (25-22) snapped a four-game losing streak with a 16-9 win over Utah Tech on Tuesday, overcoming a sweep at TCU the previous weekend. The Utes are 3-7 in their past 10 games, but they have posted wins over BYU and Utah Valley during that stretch.

Players to watch

Baylor right-hander Ethan Calder is expected to start. In his most recent outing Sunday against UCF, Calder (6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 4 K) earned the win despite allowing four runs. Over his previous four starts, Calder has a 5.81 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 22.1 innings. He has allowed at least three earned runs in three of his past five outings.

For Utah, right fielder Luke Jacobs has been streaky. After going 0-for-13 in the TCU series, he rebounded Tuesday with a 5-for-6 performance, including a home run and five RBIs. Jacobs has three multihit games in his past five contests and is hitting .294 over his last 10 games.

Series context

This is the first series between the teams as Big 12 members. Baylor and Utah play again Friday and Saturday at Smith’s Ballpark.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 5-4 Utah victory.

Notable results

Baylor’s most productive players in Sunday’s win: Tyce Armstrong (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) and Travis Sanders (1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI).

Utah’s most productive players in Tuesday’s win: Matt Flaharty (3-for-5, HR, 4 RBI) and Jake Long (2-for-2, HR, 3 RBI).