OMAHA, Neb. (Interstat) — The Big Ten baseball championship begins Tuesday with a matchup that pits two teams heading in opposite directions. seed Rutgers (26-28) faces seed Michigan (32-22) at 7 p.m. CDT at TD Ameritrade Park, with the Wolverines seeking to extend a recent head-to-head edge.

Michigan took two of three from Rutgers in March, winning 6-2 and 11-5 before dropping a 4-3 decision. The Wolverines enter the tournament having lost four straight, including a 8-1 defeat to Ohio State on Saturday. In that game, right-hander David Lally (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 6 K) was sharp despite the loss. Lally, a key arm for Michigan, has been inconsistent: he tossed five innings of one-run ball against Maryland on May 3 but allowed three earned runs in four innings at Kent State on May 12. His ability to handle Rutgers’ lineup will be critical.

Rutgers arrives with momentum, having taken two of three from Northwestern last weekend. The Scarlet Knights pounded the Wildcats 15-9 on Saturday, their seventh win in the last 12 games. Third baseman Charlie Meglio was a catalyst, going 2-for-6 with three RBIs. Over his last 10 games, Meglio has provided steady production — he homered in a loss to Northwestern on May 15 and against Maryland on May 10 — but has also endured slumps, going hitless in his last three games at Southern California from May 1-3. His bat is central to Rutgers’ hopes.

The teams met late March, with Michigan winning the series behind strong pitching. The Wolverines’ offense, however, has struggled recently, managing just six runs in their last four games. Rutgers counters with a lineup that averaged 7.4 runs over its last five contests.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 5-4 Michigan victory, but both teams have shown vulnerability. For Rutgers, a win would mark a significant turnaround after a .481 regular season. For Michigan, a loss would deepen a late-season slide.

Players to watch: Meglio (Rutgers) — .400 (2-for-5) with a homer and two RBIs in his last two games. Lally (Michigan) — 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 K in his last start.

Weather: Forecast calls for clear skies, temperature near 70 degrees at first pitch.

The winner advances to the tournament semifinals. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. CDT.