MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Interstat) — Columbia right-hander Darwin Rodriguez is set to start Tuesday night as the Fireflies open a six-game series against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelican Park.

The forecast calls for rain and a temperature near 80 at first pitch. Columbia enters with a 62-63 record, while Myrtle Beach is 48-79.

Rodriguez has pitched well recently. In his last start Sunday against Charleston, he allowed one earned run on four hits over 5 2/3 innings and struck out nine. On Aug. 23, he gave up one earned run in 4 2/3 innings against Augusta, and on Aug. 16 he allowed three earned runs in six innings at Wilson.

But Myrtle Beach has gotten to him before. Rodriguez faced the Pelicans on Aug. 9 and was tagged for six earned runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings during a 10-1 loss.

Columbia has won six of its last 10 games but is coming off a 3-1 loss to Charleston on Sunday. The Fireflies are 6-4 against Myrtle Beach this season. The Pelicans won the most recent meeting and took three of six games from Aug. 4-9 at Columbia.

Myrtle Beach has lost eight of its last 10 games, including a 10-8 defeat at Augusta on Sunday. The bright spot for the Pelicans was Derniche Valdez, who went 2-for-4 with two home runs and two RBIs. That breakout came after Valdez had gone hitless in 28 at-bats from Aug. 20-29. Over his last 10 games, he is 4-for-33.

Valdez is a player to watch for Myrtle Beach, but he will need help against a Columbia team that has shown better overall consistency. The Fireflies’ pitching staff has been solid in recent weeks, and Rodriguez will try to give them a strong start in the series opener.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Columbia is projected to win 5-2. Interstat’s ELO system gives the Fireflies a 54 percent chance to win.

The six-game series continues at Pelican Park on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Both teams will remain in Myrtle Beach for the entire set, making this week an important stretch for two clubs heading in different directions. Columbia is looking to build momentum above .500, while Myrtle Beach is trying to finish the season on a stronger note.