What to know about the Rays, the AL team the Cardinals will face to open the 2026 season
When he steps onto the mound Thursday to deliver the first pitch of his first opening day start against the team that drafted him, Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore expects there to be a different feeling when he faces the Tampa Bay Rays once more.
鈥淚 feel like that first one against Tampa (Bay), there were some emotions behind it,鈥 said Liberatore, whom the Rays traded to the Cardinals in a 2020 deal that sent future All-Star Randy Arozarena back to Tampa Bay. 鈥淩andy is not there anymore, and there are a lot of guys there that I don't know now, so it's cool that it's against them, but I don't think it means any more than pitching against any other team.鈥
Post-Dispatch reporters Hannah Wyman and Ian Froeb take us behind the scenes at the Cardinals Media Day, where the Cardinals and Busch Stadium show off their new offerings for the season. Video edited by Jenna Jones.
How to watch 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals games in 2026. Here are the streaming and cable options.
As the Cardinals embark on a season of change with a youth movement and a new president of baseball operations, the team's television broadcast situation has also undergone a big shift.
Most of the Cardinals' games this season will be produced by Major League Baseball after the team left FanDuel Sports Network when that outlet missed a payment to the team.
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Top 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt speaks with the media ahead of an exhibition vs. the Springfield Cardinals on Monday, March, 23, 2026, in Springfield, Missouri.听(Derrick Goold, Post-Dispatch)
Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs agree to $115M, 6-year contract, source says
CHICAGO (AP) 鈥 Pete Crow-Armstrong has agreed to a $115 million, six-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, according to a person familiar with the deal, establishing the All-Star center fielder as one of the franchise's core players.
The person spoke to the AP on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.
Top 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt speaks with the media ahead of an exhibition vs. the Springfield Cardinals on Monday, March, 23, 2026, in Springfield, Missouri.听(Derrick Goold, Post-Dispatch)
Nelson Velazquez has pop Cardinals crave, so why the shift in left field? Cardinals Extra
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.听鈥 The Cardinals began spring training openly shopping for a right-handed bat to bring some power potential to the outfield, and they left Florida making the decision not to promote the player who did exactly that all month.
Clearly committing to a style of offense and protective of depth, the Cardinals notified Nelson Velazquez that he would start the year in Class AAA Memphis after leading the club in homers, RBIs and hits through Grapefruit League play. The team instead will go with a rotation of players in left field that include two infielders听鈥 Jose Fermin and Thomas Saggese听鈥 and prospect outfielder Nathan Church.
Top 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt speaks with the media ahead of an exhibition vs. the Springfield Cardinals on Monday, March, 23, 2026, in Springfield, Missouri.听(Derrick Goold, Post-Dispatch)
How Cardinals didn't get 'too cute' and play roster games with top prospect JJ Wetherholt
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.听鈥 The first person he dialed about getting called up to "the show" was his mother, and JJ Wetherholt said he was 鈥渉onestly鈥 surprised she answered.
A teacher, Holly Ann Wetherholt was on a lunch break听鈥 maybe grabbing Starbucks, her son said听鈥 when he reached out from Florida with the news he, his family and Cardinals Nation had been waiting to hear all spring.
Cardinals top prospect JJ Wetherholt lays down a bunt during a spring training drill Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at the Cardinals' training facility in Jupiter, Fla.
Hochman: Coming to 最新杏吧原创, the story of Japanese prisoners and baseball in WWII camps
He鈥檚 shared this baseball story everywhere from the Smithsonian to San Quentin:
鈥淚鈥檒l never forget听鈥 one of the inmates raised his hand in the Q and A,鈥 said Kerry Yo Nakagawa, who is coming to 最新杏吧原创 with his film about baseball played at Japanese internment camps during World War II. 鈥淗e said, 鈥榊ou know, I don't have a question. I just have a comment. All 25 of us here in this room that saw the movie, we're never getting out of (this prison) for what we did. We're lifers. But to see another group of Americans incarcerated only because of their race? Hey, man, that's deep.鈥欌
In today鈥檚 10 AM 鈥淭en Hochman,鈥 brought to you by Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium at Cardinals鈥 spring training, Ben Hochman discusses the World Baseball Classic! And a happy birthday shoutout to Queen Latifah! And as always, Hochman picks a random Cards card out of the hat!
The hot dog burnt ends dish served with potato salad, photographed on Monday, Mar. 23, 2026, is new to Busch Stadium as the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals showcase food options before the 2026 baseball season.
Bartender Scott Lokitz sets out cocktails for viewing at the Pop Fly bar at Busch Stadium on Monday, Mar. 23, 2026, as the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals showcase food options before the 2026 baseball season. The bar will change themes periodically. The 鈥榃here鈥檇 You Go鈥 theme, pictured here, features area high school sports team names on pennants across the bar.
The Berry Beak popsicle, as sold by Dulce Pops, photographed on Monday, Mar. 23, 2026, is new to Busch Stadium as the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals showcase food options before the 2026 baseball season.
The 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals unveil their new Coca-Cola Unlimited seating area, photographed on Monday, Mar. 23, 2026, that will feature all-you-can-eat food and drink items for one price outside Big Mac Land during the 2026 season at Busch Stadium.
The 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals unveil new items available at Busch Stadium鈥檚 kids corner, photographed on Monday, Mar. 23, 2026, that will be available on theme days in the 2026 season.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
The 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals unveil a new Masyn Winn bobble head, photographed on Monday, Mar. 23, 2026, that will be available on promotional give-away days in the 2026 season at Busch Stadium.
To guide fans through this 鈥渢rust the process,鈥 the Post-Dispatch contacted nearly two dozen executives, players, coaches and fans such as actor Jon Hamm and others for advice.
Cardinals season preview: The offseason additions give the club a very different long-term pitching outlook, but there are a lot of question marks in the short term.
If the Cardinals are looking for a rebuild blueprint, there are several formulas to follow. Although not all of them get the "build" in "rebuild" right.
Cardinals season preview: Bloom's path from Phillies fan to the Cardinals鈥 first new chief baseball operations officer in 18 years has been an accumulation of experiences听鈥 and cherished possessions.
Post-Dispatch reporters Hannah Wyman and Ian Froeb take us behind the scenes at the Cardinals Media Day, where the Cardinals and Busch Stadium show off their new offerings for the season. Video edited by Jenna Jones.
JJ Wetherholt describes phone call to his mom after making Cardinals roster
JJ Wetherholt: 'It was great' to make Cardinals' opening day roster
Cardinals name JJ Wetherholt to opening day roster. Plus, a surprise in the outfield.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.听鈥 With video of his new No. 26 being applied to the jersey and awaiting him in the home clubhouse at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals announced Monday the decision to put top prospect JJ Wetherholt on the opening day roster.
He'll start at second base, and it's likely he'll also bat leadoff.
In today鈥檚 10 AM 鈥淭en Hochman,鈥 brought to you by Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium at Cardinals鈥 spring training, Ben Hochman discusses a cool moment in Cardinals history from 90 years ago today! And a happy birthday shoutout to Barret Jackman! And as always, Hochman picks a random Cards card out of the hat!
Back where he was MVP, JJ Wetherholt makes final stop before MLB debut with Cardinals
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.听鈥 Of all the things top prospect JJ Wetherholt did on his way through major league spring training and into Monday night鈥檚 barnstorming homecoming at Hammons Field, the most consistent part of his game is at the root of every part of his game.
In his second big league camp and first with a chance to make the team, Wetherholt showed something the Cardinals wanted to see beyond practice and production.
Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt fields a ground ball during a spring training workout Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at the Cardinals' training facility in Jupiter, Fla.
With moves to be announced as they leave Florida, Cardinals bring identity with them
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. 鈥 As they packed to return to their training complex in nearby Jupiter after ending their Grapefruit League schedule Sunday, the Cardinals did not have any final roster moves to reveal after spring games ended.
Official word on decisions such as whether top prospect JJ Wetherholt will begin the year in majors or minors or who may start in left field during Thursday鈥檚 opener could be revealed Monday, when the club travels to Springfield, Missouri, for an exhibition game against its Double-A squad.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals first baseman (and outfielder) Alec Burleson says he worked on both his offense and defense in the offseason and is loving the team's energy at spring training. Video by Laurie Skrivan, 最新杏吧原创 Post-Dispatch
Worthy: 1 wish for Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt? Enough failure to push him for future
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.听鈥 Failure sits atop the list of the things I鈥檇 like to see this season for Cardinals top prospect, former first-round draft pick and reigning wunderkind JJ Wetherholt.
The folks who don鈥檛 read more than the first line will get angry, but that鈥檚 OK. I鈥檒l continue.
Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt (77) warms up for batting practice before the club's Grapefruit League home opener against the Nationals on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla.
Jordan Walker鈥檚 ABS Challenge and 2 takeaways from Cardinals鈥 spring training finale
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. 鈥 The Grapefruit League slate that began near the end of February came to a close Sunday for the Cardinals at Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches with a 3-2 win over the Astros that left them with a 17-9-2 record in exhibition games.
The win gave the Cardinals a second-place finish behind the Braves before games begin to count Thursday.
In today鈥檚 10 AM 鈥淭en Hochman,鈥 brought to you by Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium at Cardinals鈥 spring training, Ben Hochman discusses the World Baseball Classic! And a happy birthday shoutout to Queen Latifah! And as always, Hochman picks a random Cards card out of the hat!
After WBC, Thomas Saggese ends spring comfortable with outfield, timing: Cardinals Extra
JUPITER, Fla. 鈥 A day after seeing his bat slip from his hands on a swing during a game, Thomas Saggese joked he could not 鈥渁fford to waste an at-bat like that鈥 when he returned to the Cardinals lineup Saturday.
Straying from his typical no-batting-glove approach and opting to use just one batting glove on his left hand, Saggese made the most of his Saturday at-bats in his last Grapefruit League appearance of the spring.
Chaim Bloom, 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals president of baseball operations, speaks with the media via Zoom at the start of spring training on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.
Worthy: Cardinals making right call to let Ivan Herrera's catching aspirations play out
JUPITER, Fla.听鈥 You could almost hear the gripes and groans getting louder from various corners of the Cardinals fan base every time that Ivan Herrera missed games during spring training. Each day just provided more fodder for the proponents of taking Herrera鈥檚 catcher's gear away and hiding it, locking it away, burning it or donating it to charity.
Herrera, 25, possesses so much talent and potential impact as a hitter that the physical demands of the catcher position will only limit him, lead to more ailments or injuries and reduce the amount of games he plays and the number of at-bats he gets to potentially change games for the Cardinals. At least, that鈥檚 the argument.
Cardinals catcher/designated hitter Ivan Herrera, right, and Chaim Bloom, the team's president of baseball operations, talk on a back field Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, during the team's first official spring training workouts for catchers and pitchers.听
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals catcher Iv谩n Herrera (48) throws to third base during a defensive spring training workout drill on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at the Cardinals training facility in Jupiter, Fla.
Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera puts on his gear for a spring training workout on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, at the club's training facility in Jupiter, Fla. Herrera's is recovering from surgery he had on his right elbow in the offseason.
Cardinals finalize opening day bullpen with Rule 5 pick, newcomer, and bounce-back righty
JUPITER, Fla.听鈥 With one roster move Saturday afternoon, the Cardinals finalized the look of their bullpen and left only the position player side of the roster to complete before ending Grapefruit League play this weekend.
The Cardinals notified relievers Chris Roycroft, George Soriano, and Rule 5 pick Matt Pushard that they had made the major-league team and would be part of the 13-player pitching staff on opening day.
To guide fans through this 鈥渢rust the process,鈥 the Post-Dispatch contacted nearly two dozen executives, players, coaches and fans such as actor Jon Hamm and others for advice.
Matthew Liberatore closes out his spring by flirting with a five-inning no-hitter. He knows his walk total by heart, because reducing them is part of club's 'identity.'
Without proven power sources, can Cardinals lineup 'exhaust' opponents by being pesky?
JUPITER, Fla.听鈥 A question that welcomed the Cardinals to spring training remains a concern as they ready to leave Florida on Monday morning with a lineup that鈥檚 still a work in progress and an offense that鈥檚 not yet in full swing. Which maybe is the answer, after all.
With uncertain power, the Cardinals plan to plug into persistence.
Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II practices bunting during a spring training workout Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at the club's training facility in Jupiter, Fla.
In today鈥檚 10 AM 鈥淭en Hochman,鈥 brought to you by Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium at Cardinals鈥 spring training, Ben Hochman discusses the World Baseball Classic! And a happy birthday shoutout to Queen Latifah! And as always, Hochman picks a random Cards card out of the hat!
Scott Blewett sees velo jump back after he looked for his 'best version': Cardinals Extra
JUPITER, Fla. 鈥 As a free agent this past winter, after he was designated for assignment by the Orioles, Cardinals reliever Scott Blewett reflected and looked for the answer to a question.
鈥淲hat do I need to do to get my body in the best position possible?鈥 Blewett said.
In today鈥檚 10 AM 鈥淭en Hochman,鈥 brought to you by Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium at Cardinals鈥 spring training, Ben Hochman discusses the World Baseball Classic! And a happy birthday shoutout to Queen Latifah! And as always, Hochman picks a random Cards card out of the hat!
Worthy: Pump the brakes on fast-tracking Liam Doyle to the Cardinals, but he'll be fine
JUPITER, Fla. 鈥 After the first up-close look at Cardinals top draft pick, top 100 prospect and intense, left-handed strikeout maven Liam Doyle, it鈥檚 clear he鈥檚 not ready for the major leagues. Not yet 鈥 sorry to burst anyone鈥檚 bubble 鈥 and that鈥檚 a good thing.
Make no mistake, I鈥檓 excited about Doyle鈥檚 potential. I鈥檓 curious to see him in the majors, just like everyone else. I also value him being as prepared and ready as possible when he arrives.
Tennessee pitcher Liam Doyle walks off the mound during an NCAA regional game against Miami (Ohio) on May 30, 2025, at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.
