Rain Expected for Season Opener Between Shorebirds, RidgeYaks

SALEM, Va. (Interstat) — The Delmarva Shorebirds and Salem RidgeYaks will open their 2026 campaigns under threatening skies Thursday at Carilion Clinic Field, with weather potentially playing a role in the series opener.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EDT, though the forecast calls for rain and a temperature of 72 degrees.

Delmarva will send right-hander Kiefer Lord (0-0) to the mound against Salem’s projected starter, right-hander Dylan Brown (0-0). Both pitchers are looking to set a positive tone for their clubs in what is the season opener for each team.

The Shorebirds enter with an 0-0 record after concluding their 2025 season with a 5-4 home loss to the Lynchburg Hillcats on Sept. 6. The RidgeYaks, also 0-0, finished their previous season with a 3-2 home victory over the Fayetteville Woodpeckers on Sept. 7.

Despite the clubs’ identical blank slates, advanced metrics present a conflicting preview. Interstat’s game simulator projects a narrow 1-0 victory for Delmarva. However, the same outlet’s ELO rating system gives Salem a 54% probability of winning the contest.

The game marks the start of a three-game series between the teams. They will meet again Friday and Saturday in Salem before each embarks on a lengthy homestand.

Following this series, the Shorebirds return home to face the Augusta Greenjackets for a six-game set from April 7-12. The RidgeYaks will remain at Carilion Clinic Field to host the Wilson Warbirds for a six-game series across the same dates.

Both teams will hit the road for their next series, with Delmarva traveling to face the Fredericksburg Nationals on April 14-15 and Salem visiting the Hickory Crawdads on those same dates.

Thursday’s opener will be the first look at the 2026 iterations of both squads as they look to build momentum early in the season, weather permitting.