What's the score of the St Louis Cardinals game right now?
Honestly, if you’re looking for a box score today, January 18, 2026, you won't find one. There isn't a game. The St. Louis Cardinals aren't playing because it is the dead of winter, and the only "score" anyone is keeping right now involves trade values and luxury tax thresholds.
Baseball is a summer game, obviously. But in St. Louis, the obsession doesn't really have an off-switch. Fans are constantly checking their phones, hoping for a notification about a middle-relief signing or a prospect update from the Arizona Fall League remnants. But for today? Zero to zero.
The stadium is empty. The arch is cold. We’re still a few weeks away from the sounds of mitts popping in Jupiter.
When do the games actually start?
The real action kicks off pretty soon. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Spring Training on February 12, 2026. That’s the real New Year’s Day for Cardinals fans. The full squad follows on February 16.
If you're looking for the first actual competitive "score" of the year, mark your calendar for March 26. That is Opening Day. The Cardinals are set to host the Tampa Bay Rays at Busch Stadium. It’s a 4:15 PM start.
Until then, we’re just tracking the roster moves.
Why the what's the score of the St Louis Cardinals game search is spiking
People search for the score out of habit, or maybe they’re thinking of the Cardinals Caravan. That actually just wrapped up in places like Springfield, MO, on January 16. It's that weird time of year where fans are so starved for baseball they'll sit in a gym just to hear a backup catcher talk about his offseason workout routine.
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Basically, the "score" of the franchise right now is measured in trades.
The Nolan Arenado Trade: The score fans are talking about
The biggest number on the board lately isn't runs—it's the massive trade that just went down. On January 13, 2026, the Cardinals officially traded Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It's a gut punch for a lot of people in the 314. But Chaim Bloom and the front office are clearly pivoting. They got back Jack Martinez, a right-handed pitcher, but the real "score" here is the salary relief and the commitment to a total rebuild.
- Outgoing: Nolan Arenado (and a chunk of cash)
- Incoming: Jack Martinez (RHP)
This move tells you everything you need to know about the 2026 season. It’s not about winning 95 games this year. It's about not being stuck in the middle of the pack forever.
Recent offseason moves and "wins"
While there's no game today, the front office has been busy. You've probably seen the names flying around.
- Ryne Stanek: Signed on January 13 to a one-year deal. He’s that veteran presence the bullpen desperately needs when things get shaky in the 7th inning.
- Justin Bruihl: Acquired from Cleveland for cash. It’s a low-risk move, the kind of depth piece that doesn't make headlines but matters in July.
- The "Arbitration Score": On January 8, the Cards avoided arbitration with basically everyone who matters. Lars Nootbaar, Brendan Donovan, and Nolan Gorman all signed one-year deals to stay in the fold.
It’s a bit of a youth movement. You’ve got JJ Wetherholt—the Texas League MVP—looming in the wings. Fans are more excited about the "score" of his next Triple-A game than almost anything else.
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What the 2026 schedule looks like
Since you’re already looking for the what's the score of the St Louis Cardinals game, you might as well get the important dates in your phone now.
The early schedule for 2026 is actually pretty interesting. After that opening series against the Rays, the New York Mets come to town on March 30. Then the Cards hit the road for a stretch against Detroit and Washington.
One date you definitely want to circle: April 5, 2026. The Cardinals will be playing the Tigers on Sunday Night Baseball. It’s going to be on Peacock. It’s one of those "Star-Spangled Sunday" games MLB is pushing this year. So, if you're looking for a score then, you'll probably have to fire up a streaming app instead of just turning on Bally Sports (or whatever it's called by then).
Key Series to Watch:
- March 26: Opening Day vs. Tampa Bay
- April 10-12: The Boston Red Sox come to Busch (Always a big draw)
- May 31: A primetime matchup against the Chicago Cubs on NBC/Peacock
The current state of the NL Central
The "score" of the division isn't looking great for St. Louis at the moment. Coming off a 78-84 season in 2025, they finished 4th in the NL Central.
The Milwaukee Brewers won 97 games last year. The Cubs are spending money like it's going out of style, recently signing Alex Bregman to a massive five-year deal.
The Cardinals are in a bit of a "wait and see" mode. They aren't the favorites. Honestly, they might be the underdogs for the first time in a long time. But that’s kind of the charm of this 2026 roster. It’s full of guys like Victor Scott II and Masyn Winn who play with a lot of energy.
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The Pitching Situation
If you want to know why the score might be high (against us) this year, look at the rotation. With Sonny Gray gone (traded to Boston back in November), the Cardinals are leaning on younger arms like Richard Fitts and Hunter Dobbins.
It’s risky. It’s definitely going to lead to some high-scoring games that might give fans heart palpitations. But it's better than watching the same veterans struggle to hit 90 mph on the radar gun.
How to track the score once the season starts
When March 26 finally rolls around and you're asking about the what's the score of the St Louis Cardinals game, you've got a few options.
- MLB At Bat App: Still the gold standard for pitch-by-pitch data.
- KMOX 1120 AM: There is nothing like hearing John Rooney call a game while you're driving or sitting on the porch.
- Social Media: Twitter (X) is still the fastest way to see a highlight of a Jordan Walker home run before it even clears the wall.
Don't forget the giveaways
If you're planning on being part of the crowd that determines the home-field advantage score, the Cardinals have already released their 2026 promotional schedule.
Opening Day fans get the classic magnet schedule. On March 28, it’s a lightweight pullover. If you wait until the Boston series in April, they're giving away dugout hoodies. These are the small wins that make a losing score a little easier to swallow.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there's no game today, here is how you can stay prepared for when the scores actually start counting:
- Check your streaming subs: With many games moving to Peacock and NBC in 2026, make sure you aren't scrambling for a login ten minutes before first pitch.
- Follow the prospects: Keep an eye on the Springfield and Memphis rosters. Guys like Leonardo Bernal and Ixan Henderson are going to be the reason the score looks better in 2027 and 2028.
- Download the schedule: Grab a digital copy of the 2026 schedule now so you can plan your summer trips to Busch Stadium before the good seats are gone.
- Watch the waiver wire: Chaim Bloom isn't done. The "score" of the offseason can change with one more trade before Feb 12.