If you’re checking your phone or asking your smart speaker "what was the score of the cardinals game today," the answer depends entirely on which Cardinals you’re chasing. This is that weird part of the calendar where the sports worlds collide—or, in the case of the St. Louis Cardinals, where the "score" isn't happening on a diamond but in a front-office ledger.
For the Arizona Cardinals, the 2025-2026 NFL season has officially wrapped up. There was no game today, January 15, 2026. Their season ended back on January 4 with a tough 37-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. They aren't in the playoffs. They're already looking at draft boards.
The St. Louis Cardinals? They don't play today either. Their 2026 season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays isn't until March 26. However, if you follow the "score" of the offseason, they just lost a massive piece of their franchise.
The Score of the Cardinals Game Today: St. Louis Offseason Shocker
Honestly, the biggest "score" for St. Louis fans isn't a win or loss—it's the massive trade that just went down. On Tuesday, January 13, the Cardinals officially traded Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It’s a rebuild. A total tear-down.
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Chaim Bloom, the new president of baseball operations, is clearly done with the "wait and see" approach. By shipping out Arenado, along with earlier trades involving Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras, the Cardinals are essentially paying $59 million over the next two years for players who won't even be in their dugout. It’s a staggering number.
- Trade Details: The Cards get minor league pitcher Jack Martinez.
- Financials: St. Louis is eating $31 million of the $42 million left on Arenado's contract.
- The Vibe: It’s a youth movement. Expect to see way more of JJ Wetherholt and Thomas Saggese this spring.
If you were looking for a box score with runs and hits, you won't find one for another couple of months. But if you're measuring the health of the organization, the "score" today feels like a heavy loss for nostalgia and a risky bet on the future.
Arizona Cardinals: Why There’s No Game Today
The NFL playoffs are in full swing right now, but the Arizona Cardinals are spectators. After finishing the season with a 3-14 record, their final score of the year remains that 37-20 defeat in Los Angeles.
The Divisional Round is scheduled for this weekend (January 17-18). While teams like the Rams and 49ers are still grinding, Arizona is focused on the 2026 NFL Draft. Fans were hoping for a Wild Card miracle, but Matthew Stafford and the Rams put those dreams to bed early in the New Year.
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Basically, if you’re looking for a live football score today, you’re about 48 hours early for the next round of playoff action.
Ball State and North Central: The Other Cardinals
Sometimes people forget there are college "Cardinals" in the mix too.
The Ball State Cardinals are actually prepping for a game tomorrow, Friday, January 16, against the Ohio Bobcats. They are currently 4-13 and struggling in the MAC.
Then there’s the North Central College Cardinals. They actually did have a game last night, January 14. They lost a high-scoring shootout to Augustana with a final score of 98-93. It was a heartbreaker, especially since they put up a season-high 93 points.
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What to Watch Next
Since there is no "live" score for the major professional Cardinals teams today, here is what you should be tracking:
- MLB Spring Training: Pitchers and catchers report in about four weeks. That’s the next time we’ll see St. Louis in uniform.
- NFL Draft Order: Arizona is picking high. Watch the mock drafts as the Senior Bowl approaches.
- The Arenado Fallout: Keep an eye on the St. Louis roster. Rumors are swirling that Brendan Donovan or JoJo Romero could be the next veterans moved to clear space for the kids.
So, while the answer to "what was the score of the cardinals game today" is technically "there wasn't one," the actual news surrounding the teams is moving faster than a Jordan Hicks fastball.
To stay ahead, mark February 21 on your calendar. That's when the St. Louis Cardinals play their first Spring Training game against the Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Until then, the only scores that matter are the ones on the trade wire.