RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (Interstat) — The Inland Empire 66ers and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes will open their 2026 seasons against each other Thursday at LoanMart Field, renewing a rivalry that ended last season with a lopsided result.

The single-game opener precedes a six-game homestand for the Quakes and a 10-game road trip to start the year for the 66ers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PDT.

Both clubs enter with 0-0 records, but their most recent meetings from September 2025 point to contrasting trajectories. The 66ers concluded their 2025 campaign with a 4-2 home loss to the San Jose Giants on Sept. 16. The Quakes’ last outing was an 11-5 defeat to these same 66ers on Sept. 11.

Despite that recent head-to-head result, statistical models present a split view on Thursday’s contest. Interstat’s ELO rating system gives the Quakes a narrow 51.2% probability to win. However, the organization’s game simulator projects a tight, pitching-dominated affair with a 1-0 victory for Inland Empire.

The game marks the start of a three-game series between the California League foes. The teams will meet again Friday and Saturday in Rancho Cucamonga before diverging on their early-season schedules.

Following the series, the 66ers will travel to face the Ontario Tower Buzzers for a six-game set beginning Tuesday. The Quakes will hit the road for a six-game series against the Lake Elsinore Storm starting Tuesday.

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