So, you’re looking for the cardinals lineup for today? Let’s get the elephant out of the room immediately: it is January 16, 2026. Unless you’re looking for a winter league box score from the Dominican or a very intense game of MLB The Show, there isn’t a lineup card being pinned to the dugout wall at Busch Stadium this afternoon.
Baseball is in the deep freeze of the offseason. But honestly, that’s exactly why everyone is obsessing over the roster right now.
The St. Louis front office just blew the doors off the place. Chaim Bloom is officially in the driver's seat, and if you haven't been following the news this week, you might want to sit down. The "Old Guard" era in St. Louis is effectively over. With the massive trade of Nolan Arenado to the Diamondbacks on January 13, 2026—following the earlier Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray departures—the lineup we’re projecting today looks nothing like the one that finished the 2025 season.
The Projected Cardinals Lineup for Today (If They Played Right Now)
Since there’s no official game, we have to look at the current 40-man roster and the tactical shifts being made by manager Oliver Marmol. If the Cardinals were forced to take the field this Friday afternoon, here is how the batting order would likely shake out based on the current depth chart.
- Victor Scott II – CF (Speed is the new identity in St. Louis)
- Masyn Winn – SS (The undisputed anchor of the infield)
- Lars Nootbaar – LF (Coming off surgery, but still the heart of the order)
- Alec Burleson – 1B (The heir to the throne with Contreras gone)
- Nolan Gorman – 2B/DH (The power profile the team desperately needs)
- Jordan Walker – RF (Still the ultimate X-factor)
- Iván Herrera – DH/C (A massive offensive ceiling if he stays healthy)
- Thomas Saggese – 3B (Taking over the hot corner from Arenado)
- Pedro Pagés – C (The defensive specialist Chaim Bloom seems to trust)
It feels weird, doesn't it? No Goldy. No Arenado. No Contreras. Basically, the Cardinals are leaning into a youth movement that’s as exciting as it is terrifying for a fan base used to veteran stability.
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Why the Cardinals Lineup for Today is a Total Mystery
The trade of Nolan Arenado to Arizona changed everything. We’re talking about a massive hole at third base and in the middle of the order. While Saggese is the "on-paper" replacement for today, don't sleep on JJ Wetherholt.
The kid was the 2025 Texas League MVP and is currently the number one prospect in the system. He’s actually in Springfield today for the Cardinals Caravan. Most scouts think he’s going to force his way into the opening day lineup at either second or third base, which would push Nolan Gorman or Thomas Saggese into a utility or DH role.
Then you have the Brendan Donovan situation. He’s still on the team, and he’s arguably the most consistent hitter they have. But with the roster in "rebuild/retool" mode, his name has been in trade rumors for weeks. If he’s in the lineup today, he’s likely in left field or second base, but many insiders expect him to be the next veteran moved for pitching depth.
The Pitching Situation
You can't talk about a lineup without a starter. If today were Opening Day, Dustin May would likely be the guy. The Cardinals signed him to a one-year "prove it" deal in December, and he’s the high-ceiling arm this rotation has lacked. Behind him, it’s a lot of Michael McGreevy, Matthew Liberatore, and Richard Fitts—the latter being a key piece of the Sonny Gray trade.
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Real Talk: What Most Fans Get Wrong About This Roster
A lot of people think the Cardinals are "tanking." That's a bit of a stretch.
What Chaim Bloom is doing is closer to what the Brewers have done for years: trading high-priced veterans before they decline further to stock up on "controllable" young talent. By moving Arenado and Contreras, the Cardinals saved nearly $20 million in 2026 luxury tax payroll.
They aren't just sitting on that cash, either. They just signed Ryne Stanek on January 13 to stabilize a bullpen that was, frankly, a disaster last year. They also picked up Justin Bruihl from Cleveland. The strategy is clear: high-variance young hitters supported by a high-leverage bullpen.
What to Watch for in the Coming Weeks
Since there is no game today, your best bet for Cardinals action is following the 2026 Cardinals Caravan. It’s hitting Springfield today, January 16, at the Hammons Field training facility. It’s free to the public, and you can actually go see Victor Scott II and JJ Wetherholt in person.
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If you’re tracking the cardinals lineup for today to get a jump on your fantasy draft or just to see if the team is worth a damn this year, keep an eye on these three things:
- The 3B Battle: Does Saggese hold the spot, or does Wetherholt take it by Spring Training?
- The Nootbaar Recovery: Lars is the key. If his elbow/shoulder isn't 100% by March, the outfield depth gets real thin, real fast.
- The Bullpen Hierarchy: With Stanek in the mix, does JoJo Romero stay in the closer role, or do they move to a committee?
The 2026 season officially kicks off on March 25 against the Yankees. Until then, the "lineup" is just a piece of paper that Chaim Bloom is probably still erasing and rewriting every single morning.
To stay ahead of the curve, watch the waiver wire for any more moves involving left-handed relief pitching. The team is still looking for one more veteran southpaw to round out the pen before pitchers and catchers report. Checking the transaction logs on MLB.com daily is the only way to keep up with how this roster is evolving before the lights finally turn on at Busch.