The Cardinals' rebuilding season officially begins today.
Top prospect JJ Wetherholt makes his debut and leads off, one of seven starting players in Thursday's lineup who are 25 or younger.
The 23-year-old Wetherholt, will play second base.
Left-hander Matthew Liberatore, 26, makes his first opening day start as he looks to assert himself as the team's top starting pitcher in a rotation in which nobody has started more than Andre Pallante's 61 games.
Liberatore was dominant early in an uneven 2025 season, his first as a full-time starter. He finished with a 4.21 ERA, going 8-12.
Liberatore has a 2.92 ERA in two starts vs. the Rays, the team that drafted him.
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The youth movement begins after an offseason that saw the team trade聽All-Star veterans Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan, Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras.
Right-hander Drew Rasmussen will start for the Rays. The 30-year-old put up a 2.76 ERA in 31 starts last year for Tampa Bay.
Baseball Prospectus and Fangraphs each project last-place division finishes for both the Cardinals and the Rays.
Opening day ceremonies and time schedule
Gates open: 12 p.m.
Cardinals batting practice: 12-12:55 p.m.
Rays batting practice: 12:55-1:50 p.m.
Pregame ceremonies begin with Budweiser Clydesdales: 2:30 p.m.
Motorcade with Cardinals Hall of Famers begins: 2:37 p.m.
Numerous Cardinals Hall of Famers are set to take part in Thursday's festivities. They include聽Ozzie Smith, Tony La Russa, Ray Lankford, Ted Simmons, Vince Coleman, Scott Rolen, John Tudor, Jason Isringhausen, Willie McGee, Mark McGwire, 脡dgar Renter铆a and Al Hrabosky
Motorcade with 2026 Cardinals begins: 2:49 p.m.
National Anthem聽by the Red & Black Brass Band: 3:05 p.m.
Ceremonial first pitch: 3:10 p.m.
How to watch 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals vs. Tampa Bay Rays
When:聽3:15 p.m. Thursday
Where:聽Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创
TV/radio: (); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the as well as .
Your options to watch: Input your ZIP code and see your choices for watching Cardinals games.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. JJ Wetherholt, 2B
2. Iv谩n Herrera, DH
3. Alec Burleson, 1B
4. Masyn Winn, SS
5. Nolan Gorman, 3B
6. Jordan Walker, RF
7. Nathan Church, LF
8. Pedro Pag茅s, C
9. Victor Scott II, CF
P:聽Matthew Liberatore, LHP
RAYS
1. Yandy D铆az, DH
2. Ryan Vilade, LF
3. Jonathan Aranda, 1B
4. Junior Caminero, 3B
5. Ben Williamson, 2B
6. Jonny DeLuca, RF
7. Nick Fortes, C
8. Cedric Mullins, CF
9. Carson Williams, SS
P:聽Drew Rasmussen, RHP
Injury report
Hunter Dobbins,聽RHP (knee):聽Dobbins remained at the team's complex in Jupiter while the Cardinals headed north for opening day. He has built up his arm all spring but has been limited in fielding his position as he recovers from an ACL tear in his knee. He is on schedule to join Class AAA Memphis for its first homestand of the minor league season next week. He began the season on the the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 22.聽Updated March 24
Lars Nootbaar,聽OF (heels): Nootbaar is recovering from offseason surgeries to address pain in his heels. Though Nootbaar has begun the recovery process, he was placed on the 60-day injured list to start the season, so he's not eligible to return until late May.聽Updated March 24
