SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Interstat) — The Amarillo Sod Poodles visit the Springfield Cardinals on Wednesday afternoon at Hammons Field, with first pitch set for 1:05 p.m. under clear skies and 84-degree heat.

Amarillo (27-29) sends right-hander Junior Sanchez (1-3) to the mound. Sanchez has allowed at least three earned runs in three of his last four starts. Springfield (25-31) counters with right-hander Chen-Wei Lin, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five outings.

The Sod Poodles won Tuesday’s series opener 4-2, snapping a three-game losing streak. Springfield still leads the season series 3-1 after taking three of four in Amarillo in early April.

Players to watch

Amarillo reliever Carlos Rey has been dominant out of the bullpen. Over his last six appearances, covering 6 2/3 innings, he has allowed zero earned runs, surrendered only one hit and struck out 10. He tossed a scoreless inning in Sunday’s 7-1 loss to Tulsa.

Springfield’s Lin has posted a 1.96 ERA over his last three starts (13 2/3 innings), striking out 15 while walking four. He worked four innings, allowing one earned run with six strikeouts in Sunday’s 6-4 loss at Frisco.

Recent results

Amarillo has lost four of its last five games, including a 7-1 defeat Sunday. The Sod Poodles were held to one run on four hits in that game. Springfield has dropped three of its last four, including Sunday’s loss.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-2 Springfield victory.

Up next

The four-game series continues through Sunday. Amarillo then returns home to face Midland on Tuesday. Springfield travels to Wichita for a six-game set starting Tuesday.