If you’re trying to figure out where to watch Miami Marlins vs St. Louis Cardinals right now, you’ve probably noticed that things aren't as simple as they used to be. The days of just flipping to "the sports channel" and seeing the game are basically over. Regional sports networks (RSNs) are currently in a state of absolute chaos, and both the Marlins and Cardinals are right in the thick of it.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a headache. Between corporate rebrands, bankruptcy exits, and teams suddenly jumping ship to produce their own broadcasts, even the most die-hard fans are getting confused. You just want to see some baseball. You don't want a degree in media rights.
Here is the deal for 2026. Whether you’re sitting in a high-rise in Brickell or a sports bar in Soulard, here is exactly how you catch the game without losing your mind.
Where to Watch Miami Marlins vs St. Louis Cardinals in 2026
First off, we have to talk about the "Home" networks. For a long time, both of these teams lived on Bally Sports. Then, in late 2024, everything turned into FanDuel Sports Network. But wait—there is a catch.
As of early 2026, the St. Louis Cardinals actually terminated their deal with FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally Sports Midwest). This is huge news. The Cardinals are now moving toward a direct-to-consumer model, much like what the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks did.
For Marlins fans, things are slightly more stable, but still a bit "new." Most local games are on FanDuel Sports Network Florida. If you have a traditional cable package like Xfinity or Blue Stream Fiber in South Florida, you’re likely good to go. But if you’ve cut the cord, you need to look at Fubo or DIRECTV STREAM, as they are among the few that still carry these regional feeds.
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The Streaming Shift: Amazon and Beyond
One of the coolest (or maybe most annoying, depending on your wallet) developments is the Amazon Prime Video tie-in.
- For Marlins fans: You can now add FanDuel Sports Network as an add-on channel directly inside Prime Video. It’s convenient because you don't need a separate app, but it still costs an extra monthly fee (usually around $19.99).
- For Cardinals fans: Since the team is currently transitioning away from their old RSN deal, you’ll want to look for Cardinals.TV or its equivalent within the MLB app. The team has promised that even without a traditional TV partner, every game will be available to stream locally without blackouts through a direct-to-consumer subscription.
National Broadcasts: When the Local Channel Doesn't Matter
Sometimes, the "where to watch Miami Marlins vs St. Louis Cardinals" question has a much simpler answer: National TV.
Major League Baseball has a bunch of exclusive windows. If the game falls on a Sunday night or a specific Saturday afternoon, your local FanDuel or team-run network might not even have the game.
The 2026 National TV Partners
- NBC and Peacock: Big news for 2026—MLB is back on NBC. They’ve got a "Sunday Night Baseball" package and "Sunday Leadoff" games on Peacock. If the Marlins and Cardinals are the featured matchup, you might need a Peacock login.
- Apple TV+: "Friday Night Baseball" is still a thing. These games are exclusive. You cannot watch them on your local cable channel. You must have the Apple TV+ app.
- FOX and FS1: Usually the home of Saturday afternoon baseball.
- ESPN: Still the king of the weekday primetime games and the Home Run Derby, though they have fewer regular-season games than they used to.
- Roku: Believe it or not, Roku has been picking up Sunday morning games for free on "The Roku Channel."
Dealing with the Dreaded Blackouts
If you live in St. Louis and try to watch the game on MLB.TV, you’re going to get a black screen. It’s the most frustrating part of being a baseball fan. MLB.TV is strictly for "out-of-market" fans.
So, if you’re a Marlins fan living in Chicago? MLB.TV is your best friend. You get every game.
But if you’re a Marlins fan living in Fort Lauderdale? You’re blacked out on MLB.TV unless you use a very specific (and sometimes finicky) VPN setup to make it look like you’re in another state.
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Honestly, the "cleanest" way to handle this in 2026 is the team-specific streaming apps. The Cardinals are leading the way here with their new independent broadcast setup, which is designed specifically to kill the blackout problem for local streamers.
Specific Ways to Watch Based on Your Setup
People watch games differently now. Some people still have the big silver cable box under the TV, while others are trying to watch on a tablet at the gym.
The Traditionalist (Cable/Satellite)
Stick with your provider if you have one. In Miami, that’s usually Xfinity or DirecTV. In St. Louis, Spectrum is the big player. Just check your guide for the FanDuel Sports Network (Marlins) or the new "Cardinals Channel" that local cable providers are picking up to replace the old Bally feed.
The Cord-Cutter (Streaming Services)
If you use YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, I have bad news: you probably can't watch the Marlins locally. Those services famously dropped RSNs years ago. You’ll need to switch to Fubo or DIRECTV STREAM if you want a "cable-like" experience that actually includes local baseball.
The Mobile Viewer
Download the FanDuel Sports Network app (for Marlins) or the MLB app (for Cardinals). You can usually "authenticate" these apps using your cable login, or you can pay for a standalone monthly subscription if you don't have cable at all.
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Why This Matchup Matters This Year
Beyond just finding the channel, why are people looking for where to watch Miami Marlins vs St. Louis Cardinals anyway?
It’s a fascinating contrast. You’ve got the Cardinals, an organization that prides itself on "The Cardinal Way" and constant contention, facing a Marlins team that is often in a state of "perpetual rebuild" but always seems to have a freakishly good pitching rotation.
In 2026, the Cardinals are dealing with a lot of roster turnover. They've moved on from some big names to try and reset their payroll, which makes every game a bit of a gamble. Meanwhile, the Marlins are always the "spoiler" team. They might not lead the division, but they can shut down a high-powered offense on any given Tuesday night.
Actionable Steps to Get the Game On
Don't wait until first pitch to figure this out. The "Searching for signal" screen is the worst thing to see when the leadoff hitter is stepping in.
- Check the schedule on MLB.com: Look for the little TV icon next to the game date. It will tell you if it’s on a national network (like Apple TV+ or ESPN) or a local one.
- Verify your RSN: If you’re in Florida, make sure your provider still carries FanDuel Sports Network Florida. If you’re in Missouri or Illinois, check if the new Cardinals direct-to-consumer platform has launched in your app store yet.
- Test your logins: If you’re using an app to stream, log in 15 minutes early. These apps are notorious for forcing "mandatory updates" right when the game starts.
- Check the "Free Game of the Day": MLB.TV usually offers one game for free every day. If you’re lucky, the Marlins-Cardinals game might be the one, and you won’t have to pay a dime (unless you're in the local blackout zone).
The landscape of sports TV is changing faster than a 100-mph heater. It’s kinda messy right now, but between the new streaming options and the traditional broadcasts, you definitely have a way to watch the game—you just have to know which hoop to jump through.