GREENVILLE, S.C. (Interstat) — The Greenville Drive and Greensboro Grasshoppers will open their 2026 seasons Thursday at Fluor Field at the West End, each looking to erase the memory of a difficult end to their previous campaigns.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature of 79 degrees.

Both clubs enter with 0-0 records, but their paths to this opener diverged last September. The Grasshoppers fell 4-1 to the Brooklyn Cyclones on Sept. 11, 2025, in their most recent action. The Drive’s last outing was a 13-2, seven-inning loss to the Winston-Salem Dash on Sept. 7.

According to Interstat’s analytics, the opener projects as a tight, low-scoring affair. The organization’s game simulator predicts a 1-0 Greensboro victory, while its ELO rating system gives the Grasshoppers a 55.3% probability of winning.

The game marks the start of a three-game series between the South Atlantic League rivals. The teams will meet again Friday and Saturday in Greenville before the Drive embark on a six-game road trip against the Hub City Spartanburgers beginning Tuesday. The Grasshoppers will host the Asheville Tourists for a six-game set starting April 7.

Thursday’s contest offers a clean slate for both franchises. For Greenville, it is a chance to reset at home after last season’s rough finale. For Greensboro, the statistical models suggest a slight edge as they begin a season-opening road trip.

The series will be a brief home stand for the Drive, who will play 12 of their next 15 games on the road following Saturday’s finale. The Grasshoppers, after this three-game set, will play 13 of their next 16 games at home.

Probable starting pitchers for the opener were not announced.