TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Bay Rays host the Seattle Mariners on Friday night at George Steinbrenner Field, with first pitch scheduled under a forecast of 88 degrees and rain.

Tampa Bay (54-37) holds a comfortable lead in the American League East, while Seattle (47-46) enters at .500 territory after dropping two of three in Miami. The Mariners lost 2-0 on Wednesday, with right-hander George Kirby allowing two earned runs over six innings in a losing effort.

Kirby (7-7, 3.65 ERA) will start for Seattle. The right-hander has been consistent, posting quality starts in each of his last four outings. Over that stretch, he has pitched at least six innings each time, allowing two earned runs or fewer in three of them. His most recent win came June 29 against the Angels, when he threw eight innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts.

The Mariners’ offense has struggled, scoring two runs or fewer in four of their last five games. Luke Raley went 1 for 4 in Wednesday’s loss and is one of the few consistent bats for a lineup that ranks near the bottom of the AL in runs scored.

Tampa Bay counters with rookie outfielder Chandler Simpson, who went 2 for 4 in Thursday’s 12-4 loss to the Yankees. Simpson is hitting .286 over his last 10 games with three multi-hit performances, including a 3-for-4 day July 2 at Kansas City. The Rays’ offense has been potent, averaging 5.4 runs per game.

The Rays lost two of three to the Yankees after taking two of three from the Astros and sweeping a four-game series in Kansas City. Junior Caminero homered Thursday for Tampa Bay.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-5 Rays victory. Seattle is installed as a -1.5 favorite on the run line, with the over/under set at 7.5 runs.

The three-game series continues Saturday and Sunday before both teams break for the All-Star Game. The Mariners return home July 17 to face San Francisco, while the Rays travel to Boston for a three-game set starting that same day.