So, you’re looking to see who’s pitching for the Cardinals tonight.
Honestly, if you’re checking the TV guide for a St. Louis Cardinals game right now, you’re going to be a little disappointed. It’s January 16, 2026. The snow is probably flying in Missouri, and the only "birds" on the field are actually the Ball State Cardinals taking on the Ohio Bobcats in a college hoops matchup tonight.
But I get why you're asking. The hot stove is absolutely scorching this year. With Chaim Bloom now running the show as the President of Baseball Operations, the St. Louis rotation has undergone a total facelift. The days of Sonny Gray leading the staff are over after he was dealt in a massive salary-clearing move earlier this winter.
If you want to know who is going to be the "ace" when Spring Training kicks off in a few weeks, we have some answers. The projected rotation for 2026 looks nothing like the veteran-heavy groups we’ve seen in the past. It’s younger. It’s riskier. And frankly, it’s a lot more interesting.
Who's pitching for the Cardinals tonight? The Caravan is the only game in town
Since there isn't a game at Busch Stadium until the home opener on March 26 against Tampa Bay, "pitching" tonight looks a little different. Tonight, January 16, is actually the kickoff of the 2026 Cardinals Caravan.
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Instead of throwing fastballs at hitters, the pitchers are basically throwing t-shirts at fans across the Midwest. If you’re in Jefferson City, you’ll see Matthew Liberatore and John Rooney. If you’re hanging out in Peoria, Michael McGreevy and Andre Pallante are the guys on the "mound" (or the dais at the Embassy Suites).
- Jefferson City Stop: Matthew Liberatore is the headliner here.
- Peoria Stop: Michael McGreevy and Andre Pallante are handling the Q&A.
- Springfield Stop: Kyle Leahy is representing the arm barn.
It’s a weird time of year, but for a fanbase coming off a fourth-place finish and a roster tear-down, these Caravan stops are basically the first chance to see the "new" era of Cardinals pitching in person.
The Projected 2026 Cardinals Starting Rotation
When Feb. 12 hits and pitchers report to Jupiter, Florida, the competition for the five-man rotation is going to be wide open. Chaim Bloom has clearly prioritized high-ceiling, "buy-low" arms rather than the expensive veterans the DeWitt family leaned on for decades.
1. Matthew Liberatore (The Projected Opening Day Starter)
It’s "Libby" time. After years of bouncing between the bullpen and the rotation, Matthew Liberatore is finally being handed the keys. Last year, he threw a career-high 151.2 innings and looked like a legit mid-rotation starter before fatigue caught up to him in June. Insiders like John Denton are already predicting he could push for 180 innings and 15 wins this year. He's the de facto ace right now.
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2. Dustin May (The Wildcard)
This was the splashiest addition of the winter. The Cardinals signed Dustin May to a deal hoping his elite stuff can finally stay on the mound. When he's healthy, his sinker is a literal nightmare for right-handed hitters. But that "when healthy" part is doing a lot of heavy lifting. He’s the high-risk, high-reward arm that Bloom loves.
3. Andre Pallante
You can't move him. He’s too consistent. Pallante has basically forced his way into a permanent starting role by being the only guy who can consistently induce ground balls when the team needs them most. He isn't going to strike out 12 guys a game, but he eats innings, and on a rebuilding team, that is worth its weight in gold.
4. Michael McGreevy
The former first-round pick finally seems to have found his footing. He doesn't have the "electric" stuff of a Dustin May, but his command is pinpoint. After a solid showing late last season, he’s expected to start the year in the rotation.
5. The Battle for the Fifth Spot
This is where things get messy. Quinn Mathews is the name everyone is screaming for. He’s the top pitching prospect in the system and coming off a year where he absolutely dominated the minors. However, the team might want to limit his service time or give him a few more starts in Memphis. If it’s not Mathews, look for Gordon Graceffo or even a veteran minor-league signee like Bruce Zimmermann to fill the gap early on.
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What happened to the old staff?
If you’re wondering where everyone went, the "Great Reset" of 2025-2026 happened. Sonny Gray is gone. Nolan Arenado was just traded to the Diamondbacks a few days ago. Willson Contreras is also out. The Cardinals are paying out roughly $41 million this year to players who are no longer on their roster—specifically to the Red Sox and Diamondbacks—just to facilitate these trades and get younger prospects back.
It’s a painful pill to swallow. But honestly? The 2025 team was old and expensive. This 2026 group is going to be fast, cheap, and probably a little erratic.
The Bullpen Situation
While we're talking about who's pitching, the back end of the game is also a total mystery. JoJo Romero is technically the closer right now, but everyone expects him to be traded before Spring Training ends. If he goes, Matt Svanson—who had a ridiculous 29.1% strikeout rate and a 1.94 ERA last year—is the favorite to take over the ninth inning.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there isn't a Major League game tonight, here is how you can actually follow the "pitching" action this weekend:
- Check the Caravan Schedule: If you live in Missouri, Illinois, or Tennessee, check the official Cardinals website for the remaining Caravan stops. It’s the best way to get an autograph before these guys become household names.
- Winter Warm-Up: If you're in St. Louis, the Winter Warm-Up starts tomorrow, Saturday, Jan 17, at Busch Stadium. You can see Matthew Liberatore speak at 2:30 p.m.
- Fantasy Baseball Prep: Keep an eye on Dustin May’s health reports. If he enters Spring Training without restrictions, he is a massive sleeper pick for 2026.
- Watch the Prospects: Set alerts for Quinn Mathews. He is the future of this rotation. Even if he doesn't start Opening Day, he’ll be the guy "pitching for the Cardinals" on a Tuesday night in May that you won't want to miss.