MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Interstat) — The Hickory Crawdads and Myrtle Beach Pelicans open a six-game series Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelican Park.

Hickory (42-31) enters with the league’s third-best record, while Myrtle Beach (31-42) has lost four of its last five games. The forecast calls for 81-degree temperatures and cloudy skies.

Crawdads outfielder Braylin Morel is a player to watch. Morel went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs in Hickory’s 9-4 loss to Hill City on Sunday. Over his last 10 games, the right fielder is batting .250 with one homer and seven RBIs, though he has collected hits in only three of those contests. His biggest power surge came June 28 against Hill City, when he launched his fourth home run of the season.

For Myrtle Beach, pitcher Brody McCullough will be on the mound. The right-hander threw three scoreless innings in relief Sunday against Salem, allowing two hits and striking out four. McCullough has a 1.50 ERA over his last two appearances covering 6 innings, with seven strikeouts against no walks.

The Pelicans have had success against Hickory this season, winning three of four games in a series from May 5-8 at Hickory. Myrtle Beach took the final two games of that set, including a 6-2 victory on May 8. But the Crawdads hold a significant advantage in the standings, having won 11 of their last 15 games before Sunday’s loss.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-4 win for the Crawdads.

The two teams play each other five more times this week, with games scheduled through Sunday before both clubs face new opponents. Hickory travels to Augusta next week, while Myrtle Beach hosts Fredericksburg.