Rays-Cardinals Opening Day starters: Rasmussen vs. Liberatore
The first-ever Opening Day matchup between the Rays and Cardinals will also feature a pair of first-time Opening Day starters.
Right-hander Drew Rasmussen is slated to pitch for Tampa Bay in the franchise’s 29th Opening Day matchup. Meanwhile, left-hander Matthew Liberatore will take the ball for St. Louis as the Cardinals begin a new era under president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, who began his front office career with the Rays.
The matchup includes some important symbolism for both starters. It’s a fitting assignment for Liberatore, who was the Rays’ first-round pick in the 2018 Draft before being traded to the Cardinals in a deal that brought postseason hero and 2021 American League Rookie of the Year Randy Arozarena to Tampa Bay.
You have to dig a little deeper to find the meaning for Rasmussen, but it’s there. In August 2024, Rasmussen made an emotional return to the mound at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, marking the end of his recovery from a third major elbow procedure. Where better to make his first Opening Day start?
Rays: RHP Drew Rasmussen
Previous Opening Day starts: None
2025 season: 10-5, 2.76 ERA, 150 IP in 31 starts
On one hand, Rasmussen wrote an incredible story for himself last year. After returning from an internal brace procedure as a reliever in 2024, he chose to rejoin the Rays’ rotation and thrived beyond anyone’s wildest expectations -- except, perhaps, his own. Rasmussen was limited only by workload restrictions, but his performance was incredibly consistent and remarkably effective as he totaled 4.4 bWAR.
Consider this: Rasmussen, who previously had two Tommy John surgeries, is one of nine pitchers to return from three major reconstructive surgeries on his elbow, and he is the only one to come back from his third such procedure then make an All-Star team. That’s a strong testament to his work ethic, determination and, of course, his ability. Now, he’ll add an Opening Day start to his list of achievements.
“I'm really honored. It's really cool to get the opportunity to pitch on Opening Day,” Rasmussen said. “It truly is a blessing and it is humbling, and I'm excited for the opportunity.”
Rasmussen is a hard-thrower who leans on three fastballs -- a four-seamer, a two-seamer and a cutter -- as well as a sweeper and a curveball. He doesn’t boast the elite strikeout numbers of some aces, but he limits hard contact, doesn’t beat himself with walks and seemingly never lets an inning get out of hand.
How obvious was his appointment as Tampa Bay’s Opening Day starter? President of baseball operations Erik Neander didn’t even ask manager Kevin Cash or pitching coach Kyle Snyder who they were going with. He just texted them, “I’m good whenever you guys want to tell Drew that he’s starting on Opening Day.”
Cardinals: LHP Matthew Liberatore
Previous Opening Day starts: None
2025 season: 8-12, 4.21 ERA, 151 2/3 IP in 29 starts
After pitching against the Orioles on March 9, Liberatore said he would like to be the Cardinals’ Opening Day starter against the Rays -- something he had said almost a month prior, too. There is a good reason he wanted the assignment.
“Every pitcher growing up wants to throw the first pitch of the season for their team,” Liberatore acknowledged.
The man affectionately known as “Libby” will get his wish. At only 26 years old, Liberatore suddenly became the top starter in the Cards' rotation after St. Louis traded Sonny Gray to the Red Sox for prospects and Miles Mikolas became a free agent (and signed with Washington) this offseason.
Being No. 1 isn’t in name only. Liberatore earned the spot by allowing only one free pass in 13 1/3 innings during the exhibition season (10 innings in three Grapefruit League starts and 3 1/3 innings in his start against Team Nicaragua, which don't count toward Spring Training stats). Liberatore explained that his experience in the bullpen in 2024 taught him how to limit walks.
“Ever since I was put in the 'pen, there is this heavy importance about needing to throw strikes right away,” Liberatore said. “It’s something that’s kind of stuck with me."