What you need to know for Opening Day

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV) - The Cardinals will open the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates. As Opening Day kicks off later, here are some things that fans need to know for the big event on Thursday, April 7.

SCHEDULE

There will be a pep rally at Ballpark Village at 10:30 a.m. The event will be free for all fans to attend, with prizes and ticket giveaways for Opening Day and other games this season. The gates will open at 12 p.m. All fans, ages 21 and older, will receive a magnet with the 2022 schedule, compliments of Budweiser. The Redbirds will begin batting practice from 12:05 p.m.- to 12:55 p.m. before the Pirates hit the field to begin their batting practice.

The pregame ceremonies will begin at 2:30 p.m. with appearances by the Budweiser Clydesdales, Fredbird and Team Fredbird, and the Cardinals Hall of Famers. Fleet Street & Color Guard, presented by Fort Leonard Wood, will perform the National Anthem at 3:06, and the ceremonial first pitch will follow up after.

KEY PLAYERS

A familiar face will be on the mound for the Redbirds today. The big righthander, Adam Wainwright, will be on the mound and making his 7th home opener start - that’s one more than the late great Hall of Famer Bob Gibson for the most in franchise history.

And for the first time since 2019, Busch will be at full capacity for the home opener. Wainwright says he’s excited to see a full house for opening day.

“It was fun for us to have 50 fans back in the stands after cardboard fans up there a couple of years ago. But [we’re] kinda taking the training wheels off last year.. seems like we’re past it right now,” he said.

Another big story happening inside Busch Stadium is the final opening day for Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols. They haven’t played together for 11 years but you’d never be able to tell. During the Cardinal’s workout and a joint interview Wednesday, you could see how strong their bond is. Both of them praise each other as they get ready for their final Opening Day. The Redbirds new manager Oli Marmol will make his debut as well. At 35 years old, he’s the youngest manager in Major League Baseball. Marmol was actually drafted by the cards back in 2007.

He joined the organization in 2012 coaching in the farm system. In 2017, he was named first base coach and last season he was the team’s bench coach.

FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT

There will be new concession items, including Nonna’s Italian beef sandwich, grilled meatballs, St. Louis BBQ nachos, “Pop Pop Hurray!” gourmet popcorn, and island freeze frozen drinks. Fans sitting in sections 141-160 and the Redbird Club, sections 241-257, will be able to order from a menu of ballpark favorites on their phones through the MLB Ballpark app and have their food delivered to their seats.

Fans can also participate in the Cardinals Care 50/50 Raffle, with tickets going on sale at 9 a.m., and the drawing taking place on Sunday, April 10, at the end of the seventh inning. The winner will win half of the total pot, while the other half will go to Cardinals Care to support the Redbird Rookies youth softball and baseball program and the grant program.

Raffle tickets are 60 for $20, 10 for $10, or 3 for $5. Fans must be 18 or older and must be located in Missouri.

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