Rays vs. Cardinals: A Season Begins in St. Louis

The 2026 Major League Baseball season kicks off with an exciting matchup as the Tampa Bay Rays travel to St. Louis to face the Cardinals on Thursday at 4:15 p.m. EDT. This game marks the beginning of a new chapter for both teams, eager to improve upon their 2025 performances.

Pitching Probables: Rasmussen vs. Liberatore

All eyes will be on the pitching duel between the Rays’ Drew Rasmussen (0-0) and the Cardinals’ Matthew Liberatore (0-0). Rasmussen, known for his impressive fastball and developing off-speed pitches, will be looking to set the tone for the Rays’ pitching staff. Liberatore, a rising star in the Cardinals’ rotation, aims to showcase his potential and deliver a strong performance in front of the home crowd.

2025 Season Recap

Last season, the St. Louis Cardinals finished with a 78-84 record, demonstrating a solid performance at home with a 44-37 record at Busch Stadium. Their pitching staff maintained a collective ERA of 4.29, averaging 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The Tampa Bay Rays, with a 77-85 overall record, struggled on the road, posting a 36-45 record. However, the Rays showcased their offensive power, boasting a team slugging percentage of .401 and averaging 2.7 extra-base hits per game.

Key Injury Concerns

Both teams are navigating some injury challenges as the season begins. The Cardinals will be without Hunter Dobbins (knee, 15-Day IL) and Lars Nootbaar (heels, 60-Day IL). For the Rays, a significant number of players are currently sidelined, including Steven Wilson (back, 60-Day IL), Edwin Uceta (shoulder, 15-Day IL), Gavin Lux (shoulder, 10-Day IL), Ryan Pepiot (hip, 15-Day IL), Manuel Rodriguez (elbow, 60-Day IL), and Taylor Walls (oblique, 10-Day IL). These absences will undoubtedly test the depth of both rosters.

What to Expect

This season opener promises to be a competitive contest. The Cardinals will leverage their home-field advantage and aim to establish a strong presence early in the season. The Rays, despite their road struggles last year, possess a potent offense capable of challenging any pitching staff. Fans can expect a thrilling game filled with exciting plays and strategic matchups. For more in-depth MLB coverage, visit MLB.com.

This story was created using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar, as provided by The Associated Press.