PHOENIX (Interstat) — A pivotal early-season Big 12 baseball series opens Friday when the Arizona State Sun Devils host the Texas Christian Horned Frogs at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time under clear skies with a game-time temperature of 84 degrees.

The Sun Devils (12-4) enter with momentum, having won six of their last seven, including a 10-4 victory over rival Arizona on Tuesday. Reliever Sean Fitzpatrick was dominant in that win, throwing three scoreless innings with four strikeouts. On the season, Fitzpatrick has a 0.00 ERA over his last five appearances, spanning 5.1 innings.

The Horned Frogs (10-6) are also coming off a win, defeating Kansas 9-4 on Tuesday. Right-hander Zack James starred in that victory with 4.2 innings of one-hit, shutout relief, striking out five. James has been a key bullpen arm, allowing just one earned run over his last 6.2 innings.

Offensively, TCU’s Chase Brunson powered Tuesday’s win with a home run and four RBIs. Arizona State’s Landon Hairston also homered in its last game, driving in two runs.

This series marks the first conference action for both teams as new members of the expanded Big 12. The matchup features contrasting strengths: Arizona State’s potent offense, which scored 29 runs in a game last week, against a TCU pitching staff looking to build on James’s recent form.

Projections anticipate a close contest. Interstat’s game simulator predicts an 8-7 TCU victory, while its ELO rating system gives the Horned Frogs a 55% probability to win the opener.

The series continues Saturday and Sunday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.