PHOENIX (Interstat) — The Arizona State Sun Devils host the Baylor Bears on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in a Big 12 conference series opener.

Arizona State (28-14) enters the game with a five-game winning streak and the second-best record in the conference. The Sun Devils are coming off an 11-inning, 10-9 loss to New Mexico State on Wednesday, but their offense has been prolific. Center fielder Landon Hairston, a key contributor, went 2-for-2 with two home runs and three RBIs in that game. Over his last 10 contests, Hairston is hitting .448 with six home runs and 18 RBIs.

Baylor (22-18) is aiming to bounce back from a 7-5 loss at Sam Houston State on Tuesday. The Bears have lost three of their last four games. Pitcher Caldwell McFaddin, a player to watch, threw 3.0 scoreless innings with one strikeout in that loss. In his last three appearances, McFaddin has a 2.45 ERA over 7.1 innings, allowing two earned runs.

The Bears’ offense has been inconsistent, scoring two runs or fewer in four of their last seven games. Shortstop Travis Sanders went 3-for-5 with two RBIs in Tuesday’s loss and is batting .320 in his last five games.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-5 Arizona State victory.

The teams will continue the three-game series Saturday and Sunday.