DUNEDIN, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Tarpons continue a six-game road trip Thursday against the Dunedin Blue Jays at TD Ballpark, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. under partly cloudy skies and a game-time temperature of 88 degrees.

Tampa (37-33) holds a four-game lead over Dunedin (32-37) in the overall standings.

The Tarpons have won the first two games of this series, including a 7-1 victory Wednesday and a 3-1 win Tuesday. That Tuesday contest featured a pitcher’s duel that will be reprised Thursday: Justin West is expected to start for Tampa, while Carson Messina is slated to take the mound for Dunedin.

West, a right-hander, earned the win Tuesday after tossing five innings, allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out eight. Over his past four outings, all wins, West has logged a combined 16 innings, surrendering eight earned runs with 19 strikeouts. His season record improved to 8-2 with that Tuesday victory.

Messina, also a right-hander, took the loss Tuesday despite a stellar performance: four innings, no hits, no runs and five strikeouts. The bullpen could not preserve the scoreless tie. In his past three appearances covering 9 2/3 innings, Messina has allowed four earned runs with 13 strikeouts.

The series has been lopsided in Tampa’s favor lately. The Tarpons have won four of the past five meetings, including two of three in a May series in Tampa. Overall, the teams have split eight games this season, with Tampa holding a 5-3 edge.

Dunedin has struggled offensively of late, scoring four or fewer runs in five of its past six games. The Blue Jays have lost five of their past six overall. Tampa, meanwhile, has dropped five of six entering the series, though the two wins against Dunedin this week have provided a lift.

An Interstat game simulator projects a 6-5 victory for Dunedin on Thursday.

Following Thursday’s contest, the teams close the series with games Friday, Saturday and Sunday, all at TD Ballpark.