The St. Louis Cardinals started off their season with a thriller. The team got a comeback win over the Tampa Bay Rays on their opening day. They won the game 9-7 in front of a sold out crowd. 

Opening day for St. Louis is not just a game, but a tradition. Before the game they bring out the Budweiser Clydesdales onto the field, while former Cardinals legends get introduced. This is a great experience for the fans, but also for the former players being honored for their success with the Cardinals. 

The start of the season is always enjoyed by fans because they are able to see how their team competes when the regular season starts. It allows fans to view rookies and veteran players. For the Cardinals opener both a rookie and a veteran came up clutch. In the third inning JJ Wetherholt hit a homerun for his first ever hit in the majors. Then later in the game Alec Burleson capped off a Cardinals rally in the sixth inning with a two run bomb to right field. Even with the Cardinals relief pitching lacking in this game, the Cardinals bats were able to wake up and lead them to a victory.  

“The game was really up and down, but seeing the Cardinals rally for a win made the game super exciting,” junior Chase Walters said. 

The biggest moments of the game were the two home runs, but other players contributed to the Cardinals opening win. Outfielders Victor Scott II and Nathan Church both had three hits and each ran in for a run. Church also contributed two runs batted in. First baseman Alec Burleson had himself a phenomenal game with getting on base four times, scoring twice and batting in two guys. The positive part of the pitching staff was Matthew Liberatore who only gave up one run in his first ever opening day start. 

The fans were a major part of the help in the Cardinals win. Even before the game started the fans were cheering for all the hall of famers and the players warming up on the field. With a sold out crowd, the fans definitely helped surge energy for the comeback. 

Many critics see this team in a rebuilding stage for this season because some key pieces in past years such as Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donavan and Sonny Gray are gone and they have also struggled to have any success in the postseason. Even with no powerhouse players the Cardinals hope to make a push to the playoffs. Although the season just kicked off, fans should be excited to see this Cardinals group play.