SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Interstat) — The Springfield Cardinals open their 2026 campaign on the road Friday against the Amarillo Sod Poodles, with weather potentially playing an early role in the season.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium in San Antonio, Texas, the Sod Poodles’ temporary home. The forecast calls for 79-degree temperatures and rain at game time.

Both teams enter with 0-0 records. The Cardinals concluded their 2025 season with a dominant 13-1 exhibition win over the Midland RockHounds on Sept. 24. The Sod Poodles last played on Sept. 18, 2025, falling 3-1 to those same RockHounds.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a narrow, pitching-heavy contest, favoring Springfield 1-0. The analytics firm’s ELO rating system gives the Cardinals a 54.6% probability of securing an opening-night victory.

The game marks the start of a three-game series between the clubs. Following Friday’s opener, the Cardinals and Sod Poodles will meet again Saturday and Sunday in San Antonio before both clubs depart for extended homestands.

Springfield will host the Tulsa Drillers for a six-game series from April 7-12 before traveling to face the Wichita WindSurge. Amarillo will hit the road for a six-game series against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals beginning April 7, then return home to host the Frisco RoughRiders.

Probable starting pitchers for the opener were not announced by either club.