ST. LOUIS -- Opening Day at Busch Stadium turned into a wild ride, especially during the top of the sixth inning when the Cardinals' pitching staff faced a tough challenge.
St. Louis relievers struggled as Tampa Bay put six runs on the board, making it look like a long day for the home team.
But the Cardinals' revamped offense had other plans. By the end of the sixth, they had flipped the script, putting together an impressive eight-run rally that transformed a six-run deficit into a two-run lead. This explosive inning, featuring a total of 14 combined runs, set the stage for a thrilling 9-7 victory over the Rays.
According to Elias, this game marked only the second time in MLB history that both teams scored six or more runs in an inning on Opening Day, a feat last seen in 1890 between the Boston Beaneaters and Brooklyn Bridegrooms.
Alec Burleson kicked off the Cardinals' offensive surge with a simple single to right field and later capped it off with a towering two-run homer, sending the Busch Stadium crowd into a frenzy.
Earlier, it seemed like JJ Wetherholt’s MLB debut home run would be the highlight for the packed stadium. However, the Cardinals' bats came alive, racking up eight runs on eight hits, dismantling the Rays’ bullpen as three Tampa Bay relievers were charged with runs.
The offseason saw significant changes for St. Louis, with key players like Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado traded away.
This led to a fresh look for the 2026 lineup. Despite varied expectations from analysts, manager Oliver Marmol has set his sights on a specific style of play that he believes will define the team this season.
The bottom of the sixth inning was a perfect showcase of this new approach. St. Louis executed a mix of strategic plays, from a bunt single by Victor Scott II to Burleson’s dramatic home run, along with timely sacrifice flies from Wetherholt and Iván Herrera, culminating in a game-changing rally that left the fans buzzing.