Rain, Records on the Line as Dunedin, St. Lucie Open Doubleheader

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Dunedin Blue Jays and St. Lucie Mets, locked at 3-3 and in a tightly contested series, will open a Saturday evening doubleheader at Clover Park with weather and momentum as opposing forces.

Forecasted rain at first pitch threatens the opener of the twin bill, which sees both Florida State League clubs seeking a decisive edge in the early season.

The Blue Jays (3-3) carry momentum from a 9-2 rout of the Mets (3-3) on Friday. A player to watch for Dunedin is right-hander Nolan Perry, who delivered 4 1/3 strong innings in that victory, allowing two hits and one earned run while striking out six. Over his last two starts, Perry has a 2.45 ERA with 10 strikeouts in eight innings.

St. Lucie will look to counter with shortstop Elian Peña, who homered in Friday’s loss. Peña has hits in five of his last six games, including three straight against Dunedin pitching this series.

The teams have split the first three games of this set, with Dunedin’s 9-2 win preceded by a St. Lucie 6-3 victory on Tuesday and a Dunedin 6-5 win in seven innings on Thursday.

Despite the Blue Jays’ recent offensive surge, statistical models present a split decision. Interstat’s game simulator projects a narrow 4-3 Dunedin victory, while the same service’s ELO rating system gives St. Lucie a slight 53% probability to win.

Following the doubleheader, the series concludes Sunday before both teams embark on new series Tuesday. Dunedin will host the Clearwater Threshers for a six-game set, while St. Lucie hits the road for a six-game series against the Daytona Tortugas.

First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 5 p.m., weather permitting.