Liberatore Gets the Ball on Opening Day

The Cardinal Chronicle
Liberatore Gets the Ball on Opening Day
St. Louis, MO — By Ray Mileur

The St. Louis Cardinals made it official Wednesday: Matthew Liberatore will take the mound on March 26 at Busch Stadium as the club’s Opening Day starter against the Tampa Bay Rays.

For Liberatore, it’s more than just another start—it’s a full-circle moment.

The left-hander was originally selected 16th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft by Tampa Bay, the very team he’ll now face to open the season. Baseball has a way of writing its own stories, and this one comes with a little extra edge.

It also marks the first Opening Day assignment of Liberatore’s career, a nod that reflects both his growth and the trust he’s earned within the organization.

After transitioning from a mixed role in 2024, Liberatore took on a full-time starting job last season, making 29 starts. The results were steady, if not spectacular—an 8-12 record with a 4.21 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP across 151.2 innings, supported by a solid 122-to-40 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

But what’s turning heads now is what he’s done this spring.

In Grapefruit League action, Liberatore has looked every bit the part of a staff leader, posting a 2.70 ERA, a crisp 1.00 WHIP, and an impressive 14-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 10 innings. More importantly, he’s pitched with confidence, command, and a presence that suggests he’s ready for the responsibility.

And make no mistake—this is a responsibility.

Opening Day in St. Louis isn’t just another game. It’s a tradition. It’s a statement. And the pitcher handed the ball is expected to set the tone not just for nine innings, but for the season ahead.

The Cardinals are betting that Liberatore is ready to do exactly that.

The Old School Take
This isn’t about potential anymore—it’s about production.

The Cardinals didn’t hand Liberatore the Opening Day assignment because of where he was drafted or what he might become. They gave it to him because he earned it this spring.

Now comes the part that matters.

Go out there, take the ball, and lead.

That’s what Opening Day starters do in St. Louis.

Photo Credit - MLB.com