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Cardinals open 145th season at Busch with Marmol in charge; Rays on Opening Day
Busch will flicker back to life on March 26 as the Cardinals open their 145th season against Tampa Bay, with Oliver Marmol returning as manager and Chaim Bloom overseeing baseball operations. [2] Marmol’s name remains on the top step, and Busch Stadium III stays home base as the club charts its 2026 path. [1][2]The roster build points to a youthful rotation picture—Matthew Liberatore, Hunter Dobbins, Michael McGreevy and Andre Pallante among the arms in the mix—backed by a bullpen still being sorted through camp. [2] Preseason chatter spotlighted strong springs from Alec Burleson and prospects Josh Báez and Nelson Velázquez, and a bigger role for Nolan Gorman, alongside open questions about depth behind the plate. [3]The task now is simple and familiar: settle the staff, keep emerging bats rolling, and press back into the NL Central fight over 162. [1][2]