AVIATORS HOST BEES IN SEASON OPENER AT CASHMAN FIELD

LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — The Las Vegas Aviators and Salt Lake Bees will open their 2026 campaigns Saturday at Cashman Field, renewing a Pacific Coast League rivalry with recent history favoring the visitors.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PDT. The game marks the start of the season for both clubs, each carrying an 0-0 record.

The Bees will send right-hander Joey Estes to the mound. Estes finished the 2025 season with the Aviators, going 8-6 with a 4.55 ERA in 24 appearances. He will face his former team in his organizational debut for Salt Lake.

Las Vegas will counter with left-hander Sam Aldegheri. The Aviators’ probable starter posted a 7-9 record and a 5.12 ERA last season.

Salt Lake arrives with confidence from the most recent meeting between the teams, an 8-4 Bees victory in Las Vegas on Sept. 21, 2025. The Aviators, however, are looking to rebound from a narrow 8-7 road loss to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in their final game of the 2025 season on Sept. 27.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the Aviators are projected to win Saturday’s opener 6-3.

The game begins a two-game weekend set. The series concludes Sunday before both teams embark on lengthier homestands. Salt Lake will host the Sacramento River Cats for six games starting Tuesday. Las Vegas remains home to welcome the Oklahoma City Comets for a six-game series beginning the same day.

For the Bees, this short trip is the first leg of a season-opening 12-game stretch against West Division opponents. Following their series with Sacramento, they travel to face the Reno Aces. The Aviators’ early schedule mirrors that path, with a trip to Sacramento following their series with Oklahoma City.

All eyes will be on the starting pitchers in a matchup of arms familiar with the hitter-friendly environments of the PCL. Estes’ knowledge of Aviators hitters and Aldegheri’s ability to navigate a Bees lineup that produced eight runs here last September will be key early factors.