PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — The Pacific Tigers and Portland Pilots meet Saturday evening at Joe Etzel Field in what has become a pivotal West Coast Conference series, with both teams seeking separation in the standings.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under a forecast of 58 degrees and rain. The Tigers (23-25-1 overall) and Pilots (25-25) have split the first two games of the weekend set. Pacific won Thursday’s opener 7-5, while Friday’s result was listed as a 0-0 contest — a likely scoreless tie or postponement, given the series’ current two-game status.

Saturday’s matchup features two key arms. For Pacific, right-hander Zach Todd has been dominant in recent outings. On Thursday against Portland, he threw seven innings of two-hit ball, allowing two earned runs with five strikeouts in a win. In four starts since April 24, Todd has a 1.50 ERA, including a six-inning, 11-strikeout shutout of Loyola Marymount on May 1 and a six-inning, zero-hit performance at San Francisco on April 26.

Portland counters with left-hander Ky Hoskinson, who has worked primarily in relief this season. He threw four scoreless innings Thursday against Pacific, allowing two hits and striking out two, though the Pilots lost 7-5. Hoskinson has been inconsistent; he gave up four earned runs in one inning against San Diego on May 1 but tossed two scoreless frames at Santa Clara on April 25.

The Pilots’ offense will look to bounce back after managing just five runs Thursday. Portland shortstop Robert Orr homered and drove in three for the Tigers in that game, while Pacific’s Regan Carter added two scoreless innings of relief.

Portland enters with a 25-25 record, having lost four of its last five, including a 3-2 defeat at Oregon State on Tuesday. Pacific has won three of its last four, including a 6-4 victory over San Diego on May 8.

The game marks the rubber match of the series. Analysts are split: Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-3 Pacific win, while the Interstat ELO system gives Portland a 73.9 percent probability of victory.