Smokies set to face Rocket City Trash Pandas in Knoxville series
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 14, 2026, 2:53 AM
Last updated Aug 14, 2026
The Knoxville Smokies return to Covenant Health Park from August 11-16 for a six-game series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas. The Smokies recently enjoyed a series win after trading former top prospect Jefferson Rojas and losing several players to promotions. National champion pitcher Nate Snead, drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2025, will pitch for Rocket City. The series could serve as a divisional round playoff preview, as both teams vie for postseason positioning in the Southern League North.
- •Smokies won a road series against Chattanooga prior to this series.
- •Nate Snead returns to Knoxville to pitch for Rocket City.
- •Kane Kepley, a new addition, batted well in his first series with the Smokies.
- •Rocket City leads the Southern League North in the second half.
- •The Smokies finished in first place for the first half of the season.
- 2:53 AMYahoo Sports — Smokies rally past five shutout innings from former Vols pitcher
- 9:07 AMYahoo Sports — Smokies are back in Knoxville and will face this former Vols pitcher
"Knoxville had two games left this week at Covenant Health Park after Thursday, when a Cubs pitcher shared the mound with a Tennessee national champion.
"A national champion pitcher for Tennessee and a top MLB draft pick are in Knoxville this week for the next Smokies' series at Covenant Health Park.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 14, 2026, 2:53 AMSmokies rally past five shutout innings from former Vols pitcher
Knoxville had two games left this week at Covenant Health Park after Thursday, when a Cubs pitcher shared the mound with a Tennessee national champion.
- Yahoo SportsAug 11, 2026, 9:07 AMSmokies are back in Knoxville and will face this former Vols pitcher
A national champion pitcher for Tennessee and a top MLB draft pick are in Knoxville this week for the next Smokies' series at Covenant Health Park.
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