PREVIEW: Tarpons at Marauders

BRADENTON, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Tarpons and Bradenton Marauders continue their six-game series at 6:30 p.m. Friday at LECOM Park. The forecast calls for 85 degrees and cloudy skies.

Tampa (31-28) will send left-hander Henry Lalane (1-1) to the mound. Right-hander Jeter Martinez (1-2) is also listed as a probable pitcher for the Tarpons. Bradenton (28-30) has not announced a starter.

The Tarpons have won two of the first three games of this series, including a 4-0 shutout Thursday. Bradenton took Wednesday’s game 3-1. The teams have split their season series 4-4 in the previous eight meetings, with Tampa holding a 5-4 edge overall.

Players to watch

Tampa right-hander Wyatt Parliament has been a key contributor. In his last three outings, he has thrown at least four innings each time, including a 5-inning start Wednesday against Bradenton in which he allowed two earned runs while striking out five. He also worked 4⅔ innings in a win over Palm Beach on June 3 and 4 innings in a win at Daytona on May 27.

Bradenton right-hander Adolfo Oviedo has been effective in relief. In his last five appearances, he has allowed one earned run across 11⅔ innings. On Wednesday against Tampa, he threw 3⅔ scoreless innings, striking out two. Oviedo has not allowed an earned run in four of his last five outings.

Recent trends

Tampa won two of three games in its previous series against Palm Beach and has won five of its last seven overall. The Tarpons are averaging 6.1 runs per game over their past seven contests.

Bradenton dropped three of four games at Jupiter before returning home. The Marauders have lost four of their last six games.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 6-2 Tampa victory.

Upcoming

The series continues Saturday and Sunday at LECOM Park. Tampa then returns home for a six-game set against Fort Myers starting Tuesday. Bradenton hosts Clearwater for a six-game series beginning Tuesday.