The Iowa baseball team closes out the home schedule with a three game series against Michigan State beginning tonight (Friday night). With leading hitter Keaton Anthony benched during a gambling investigation Hawkeye coach Rick Heller says the lineup will need to pick up the slack and the pitchers will need to step up.

Heller says the pitchers will face a balanced Spartan batting order.

The Hawkeyes are currently fourth in the league race with a 10-7 record. Michigan State is 10-8 after getting swept in a three game series at Illinois.

The series runs through Sunday.