Twenty-straight wins.

No other team in the nation has more than nine.

Just two victories shy of matching the program record of 22 straight – set in 2010 by a team that featured future major leaguers Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer – the Bruins could make history this weekend.

But as the Westwood bunch reaches new heights and draws national attention, it returns to Westwood with a familiar task – beating its crosstown rival.

No. 1 UCLA baseball (26-2, 12-0 Big Ten) will host No. 12 USC (27-3, 10-2) for a three-game weekend series beginning Friday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The rivalry series sold out Monday.

“It’s always cool because the fans come out,” said junior third baseman Roman Martin. “There’s always more energy.”

With a strong start to the season – sweeping four consecutive Big Ten weekend series and most recently securing a 9-1 midweek victory over UC Irvine – the Bruins have surged behind one of the nation’s most explosive offenses.

Named to Baseball America’s Player of the Year Watch List, juniors shortstop Roch Cholowsky and center fielder Will Gasparino have combined for 22 home runs to lead the team.

But the Bruins’ production extends far beyond their top sluggers.

Averaging a +6.1 run differential per game – the third-highest mark in the nation – UCLA has also relied on depth, with recent breakout performances from Martin, freshman designated hitter Dominic Cadiz and junior second baseman Phoenix Call fueling a 38-8 rout of Iowa across last weekend’s series.

On the other side of town, the Trojans have achieved success in a different way – through their pitching.

USC holds the nation’s lowest team ERA at 2.64 and rode a four-week undefeated start to climb the rankings after entering D1Baseball’s Top 25 on March 9.

“They’re probably going to be one of the best teams we play all year,” Martin said. “They also have a real team like us. They know how to play together, and we both play West Coast-style baseball, so I’m more excited for that.”

Junior left-hander Mason Edwards and sophomore right-hander Grant Govel – who each have earned Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors this season – anchor the staff with the two lowest ERAs among qualified pitchers. Edwards, expected to start Friday, will take the mound with a 5-0 record, 0.67 ERA and 74 strikeouts.

Alongside its standout pitching, USC has also relied on its plate production.

Utility Maximo Martinez and infielder Adrian Lopez – who both hit in the heart of the Trojans’ order – lead the team in batting average at .318 and .312 clips, respectively. Both have produced in key moments, most recently when Lopez hit a solo home run that sparked a three-run rally in USC’s Tuesday’s win over UC Santa Barbara.

But the Bruins remain steadfast on their own goals.

“USC has been good, but I don’t really look ahead on that,” said redshirt junior left-hander Chris Grothues. “I’m just looking forward to pitching again and showing what I’ve got.”

Junior right-hander Logan Reddemann is expected to make his eighth Friday start, entering the weekend 7-0 with a 2.72 ERA. UCLA is unbeaten in each of his first seven outings this season.

With one of the nation’s top offenses set to face its most disciplined pitching staff yet, the rivalry series presents a defining test for both sides – and a chance for UCLA to prove its dominance beyond the winning streak.