Portland, OR (Interstat) — The Pacific Tigers and Portland Pilots open a weekend series Friday at Joe Etzel Field, with the Pilots holding a 25-24 record and the Tigers entering at 22-25-1.

Pacific aims to build on its series win over San Diego, which concluded Sunday in a wild 11-11 tie. The Tigers have won three of their last four games but remain inconsistent, alternating offensive outbursts with quiet stretches. Portland has lost three straight, including a 8-3 defeat Tuesday at Oregon State.

Players to watch

Pacific outfield Blaine French provides power at the plate. In a 12-4 win over San Diego on May 10, he went 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBIs. Over his last 10 games, French has four multi-hit efforts, including a 1-for-3 day with an RBI in a 7-1 win over Santa Clara on April 19. French is hitting .250 (10-for-40) in that span with two homers and seven RBIs.

Portland pitcher Kaden Starr has been effective in limited recent work. In the loss at Oregon State on Tuesday, he threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits with one strikeout. Over his last three appearances spanning 4 2/3 innings, Starr has allowed three earned runs on three hits with two strikeouts. The right-hander is a key bullpen arm for the Pilots.

Recent history

Thursday’s series opener saw Portland shut out Pacific. The Tigers have struggled against the Pilots’ pitching in recent meetings.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-3 victory for Pacific.

The teams conclude the series Saturday at Joe Etzel Field.