Memphis Redbirds open playoffs tonight at AutoZone at 6:45PM

Redbirds to host Red Wings in International League Championship Series Memphis hosts Rochester in first playoff game at AutoZone Park since 2018

Redbirds Press Release to start 2026 International League Championship in MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds are set to host the Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A, Washington Nationals) in the 2026 International League Championship Series starting Tuesday night at AutoZone Park. As International League First Half Champions, Memphis is scheduled to host the entirety of the best-of-three series Sept. 22-24 with first pitch for each game at 6:45 p.m. CDT. Rochester finished the season as second-half champions and with a full-season 90-58 record, the best in the International League. The Redbirds wrapped up 2026 at 83-67, the second-best in the IL and most victories since the club won 83 games in 2018. Right-handed pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje is slated to start game one for Memphis opposite left-handed pitcher Matt Krook for Rochester. Left-handed pitcher Mason Molina will start game two for the Redbirds. Right-handed pitcher Isaac Lyon for the Red Wings. Neither club has announced a starter for Thursday night’s if-necessary game three. Memphis wrapped up the 2026 regular season with a 5-3 loss to the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A, Milwaukee Brewers) on Sunday night in Nashville. Outfielder Colton Ledbetter, catcher Jimmy Crooks and first baseman Trey Paige each posted a two-hit game in the season finale. To start a bullpen game, Bobby Olsen worked 3.0 shutout innings and struck out five.

You can listen to the St. Louis Cardinals games on 92.9 FM ESPN's sister station, 790 AM WMC The Bet, most nights. Friday night's Cardinals game will be broadcast at 6 p.m. on 92.9 FM ESPN. The Memphis Redbirds are the AAA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.