AP Sports Preview

TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — The Palm Beach Cardinals visit the Tampa Tarpons on Thursday, June 4, at George M. Steinbrenner Field, seeking to reverse a two-game skid against their Florida State League rivals.

First pitch is scheduled for [time], with the forecast for [temperature] degrees.

Right-hander Cade Crossland (2-2) is the probable starter for Palm Beach (29-24). Heuer (1-0) is also listed as a probable pitcher for the Cardinals. The Tarpons had not announced a starter at press time.

The Tarpons (27-26) have dominated the series this week, winning 14-5 on Wednesday and 12-1 on Tuesday. Palm Beach has dropped four of its last five games overall, though the Cardinals won four of five before that slide.

Players to watch:

Palm Beach third baseman Ryan Weingartner has been inconsistent but showed power in Wednesday’s loss, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Over his last 10 games, he is batting .300 (6-for-20) with two homers. He went 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI on May 26 against Lakeland.

Tampa designated hitter Engelth Urena has been a key run producer, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs in Wednesday’s win and 1-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs on Tuesday. He is 5-for-14 (.357) with two homers and seven RBIs over his last four games.

The game is the third of a six-game series between the teams. The series continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Steinbrenner Field, followed by a four-game set in Palm Beach later this month.

Palm Beach next returns home for a six-game series against St. Lucie starting Tuesday. Tampa visits Bradenton for a six-game series beginning Tuesday.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 Tampa victory.