JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Rochester Red Wings and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will open their 2026 seasons under the Florida sun Saturday at 121 Financial Ballpark, with first pitch forecast for clear skies and 82-degree weather.

Both clubs enter with 0-0 records, looking to build on narrow victories from their final games of the 2025 campaign. Rochester fell 9-8 at Worcester on Sept. 21, while Jacksonville edged Las Vegas 8-7 at home on Sept. 27.

The season-opening series features a pitching matchup of right-handers. Rochester is slated to start Mitchell Parker, while Jacksonville counters with Bradley Blalock. Official season records for the pitchers were not provided.

Statistical models favor the home team. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-4 Jacksonville victory, and its ELO rating system gives the Jumbo Shrimp a 58.3% probability to win.

The game marks the beginning of a long opening homestand for Jacksonville, which will host the Red Wings again Sunday before a six-game set against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys starting Tuesday. Following the weekend series, Rochester returns north to begin a seven-game homestand Tuesday against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

Saturday’s contest offers a clean slate for both Triple-A affiliates, each aiming to set a positive tone in the International League before the crowd in Jacksonville.