Baseball fans, buckle up for another thrilling chapter in the young MLB season as the Tampa Bay Rays and St. Louis Cardinals square off once again at Busch Stadium. Saturday’s matchup, scheduled for a 2:15 p.m. ET first pitch, comes hot on the heels of an Opening Day showdown that saw both teams light up the scoreboard in dramatic fashion. The Cardinals ultimately claimed a 9-7 victory, but not before both squads combined for a jaw-dropping 14 runs in the sixth inning—a frame that left even the most seasoned fans shaking their heads in disbelief.
The rematch promises plenty of intrigue, with the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook reflecting just how evenly matched these two clubs appear. The Cardinals were slight favorites at -112, while the Rays were not far behind at -104. The run line tipped in Tampa Bay’s favor by 1.5, and the game total was set at a modest 7.5 runs. But if Thursday’s offensive fireworks are any indication, bettors might be wise to keep an eye on the over.
Saturday’s pitching matchup pits two very different arms against each other. For the Rays, it’s the towering Joe Boyle, a 6-foot-8 right-hander with a fastball that regularly touches 98.4 mph. Boyle, who finished last season with a 4.67 ERA (4.03 xERA) and a 1-4 record, is known for his ability to miss bats—he struck out over 10 batters per nine innings in 2025. However, control remains his Achilles’ heel, as evidenced by his walk rate of over four per nine and some deep pitch counts that have limited his outings. Boyle’s spring training performances were a microcosm of his potential and pitfalls: six strikeouts in three innings in each of his final two outings, but also multiple walks that ran up his pitch count. As one analyst put it, "All aboard the Joe Boyle bandwagon! I’ve stayed on the track for years, but perhaps this is finally the year that the 6-8, Google-wearing hurler blossoms."
Opposing him is Cardinals righty Michael McGreevy, a pitcher who relies less on velocity and more on a deep arsenal and pinpoint command. McGreevy mixes six pitches—four-seamer, sinker, sweeper, curveball, changeup, and cutter—none of which are overwhelming, but his command is elite. Last season, he posted an 8-4 record, 4.42 ERA (4.65 xERA), and an impressive 1.89 BB/9, ranking him in the 99th percentile for walk rate. His ground ball rate of 47.3% helps him limit damage, though he lacks true swing-and-miss stuff, sitting at just a 9.5 K-BB%. In spring training, McGreevy continued to impress, holding opponents to a .229 average over five starts and putting up a 2.45 ERA. The Cardinals are betting he can keep Tampa Bay’s explosive lineup in check.
Speaking of lineups, both teams have already shown their potential to surprise. The Rays’ offense is anchored by the ever-reliable Yandy Diaz, whose consistency at the top of the order sets the tone. Chandler Simpson brings speed and contact ability, while Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero provide left-handed pop and emerging star power, respectively. The bottom of the order, featuring Cedric Mullins and Jake Fraley, represents a potential X-factor if they can recapture past form. Top prospect Carson Williams, tabbed as the shortstop of the future, is another name for fans to watch as the season unfolds. The Rays' bench and supporting cast aren't to be overlooked, either—Ben Williamson, Jonny DeLuca, and Nick Fortes combined to go 8-for-12 with four RBI and two runs in the opener, offering offensive punch that goes beyond mere defense.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, are a team in transition. General manager Chaim Bloom made bold moves in the offseason, parting ways with veterans like Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, and Brendan Donovan to give the club’s young core a chance to shine. The early returns have been promising: top prospect JJ Wetherholt made a splash in his MLB debut by launching his first career home run on an 0-2 pitch—"Now that’s a big-league dinger," as one report put it. Nathan Church also impressed, going 3-for-4 in the opener, while Victor Scott II turned in a multi-hit, multi-steal performance. Alec Burleson, who went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, remains the most established bat in the lineup, with Ivan Herrera providing additional pop after a 19-homer 2025 campaign. Still, power is a concern for St. Louis; last season, they ranked among the league’s worst in slugging, and much depends on the development of former top prospects Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman.
Bullpen depth could play a decisive role as the series progresses. Tampa Bay’s relief corps features Griffin Jax, Garrett Cleavinger, Edwin Uceta, and Bryan Baker. Jax is regarded as an elite arm, though both he and Cleavinger surrendered runs in the Opening Day loss—a concern for manager Kevin Cash, who needs his pen to be "nails" if the Rays are to avoid more late-game heartbreak. On the other side, the Cardinals counter with a group that includes Matt Svanson, Riley O’Brien, JoJo Romero, and Ryne Stanek. There’s a sense that St. Louis might have a slight edge in the late innings, especially if Boyle’s control issues resurface and force an early exit.
As for the betting angles, many analysts are leaning toward the Rays—at least for the first five innings. "I want the Boyle portion of the game," one preview declared, citing his ability to overpower hitters early before the bullpens take over. The prediction: Rays F5 ML, trusting Boyle to outduel McGreevy through the first half of the contest. Still, with both teams showing a penchant for late-inning drama, nothing is guaranteed once the starters depart.
Looking back at Thursday’s wild affair, the Rays’ seven-run output—five of which came in the sixth inning—showed their potential to explode at any moment. The Cardinals’ own offensive outburst, sparked by the likes of Burleson, Church, Scott II, and Wetherholt, suggests this is a lineup that can’t be counted out, even if the power numbers lag behind the league’s elite. And with both squads featuring young, hungry players eager to prove themselves, there’s no telling who might step up next.
As the Rays and Cardinals prepare to battle again under the Gateway Arch, fans can expect another tightly contested matchup with plenty of storylines to follow. Will Boyle harness his electric stuff and command the zone? Can McGreevy’s finesse and ground ball approach keep the Rays’ bats quiet? And which bullpen will hold up under pressure if the game goes down to the wire?
One thing’s for sure: after Thursday’s fireworks, no one is taking their eyes off this series. With first pitch just around the corner, all signs point to another memorable afternoon at Busch Stadium as two teams with plenty to prove square off once more.