INDIANAPOLIS (0-3) AT COLUMBUS (3-0)

Preview

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Interstat) — The struggling Indianapolis Indians look to avoid a series sweep and find their first win of the season Thursday when they visit the undefeated Columbus Clippers at Huntington Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. EDT under forecasted rainy conditions and a temperature near 45 degrees.

The Clippers have dominated the early series, winning 3-1 on Tuesday and 6-1 on Wednesday. Columbus pitchers have held Indianapolis to just two total runs in the two games.

Indianapolis will turn to right-hander Noah Davis as it seeks to snap its skid. Columbus counters with right-hander Pedro Avila. Both pitchers’ season records were not specified.

A player to watch for Indianapolis is Thomas Harrington, who took the loss Tuesday after allowing three earned runs over 4 2/3 innings. For Columbus, left-hander Logan Allen is coming off a strong win in that same game, having struck out five over five innings of one-run ball.

The Indians’ offense has mustered only nine runs through three games. Outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez provided a bright spot Tuesday with a solo home run.

Columbus, meanwhile, has opened the season with three straight victories, including two comeback wins on the road at Iowa last weekend.

Despite the lopsided recent results and a Interstat game simulator projecting a 7-4 Columbus victory, the same outlet’s ELO rating system gives Indianapolis a slight edge, with a 54.6% probability to win.

Following Thursday’s contest, the two teams will meet again for three more games in Columbus from Friday through Sunday.