The One That Got Away: Cardinals 9, Rays 7
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 26: Ian Seymour #61 of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth inning on Opening Day at Busch Stadium on March 26, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images It looked like Rays fans were set for a joyous Opening Day, with the reshaped lineup scoring seven runs on a whopping 17 hits.
Jonathan Aranda homered, multiple players had three-hit days, Junior Caminero reached base four times while every Cardinals pitcher tried to pitch around him. This game could have been a statement of intent from a group hungry to get back to the postseason in a highly-competitive AL East. But the story of Thursday’s opener is how the Rays lost in spite of their offensive output.
Fans spent most of Thursday trying to find out who was broadcasting the game, only to flip to the correct channel as the Cardinals were batting around. Rasmussen went five strong innings to start, allowing just one run on a solo homer from JJ Wetherholt. After the Rays big inning in the top of the sixth to give them a 7-1 lead, Kevin Cash rightfully felt comfortable going to his bullpen to pitch the final four innings.
He turned to Ian Seymour, who was effective in his rookie season a year ago in a mixed role. Seymour’s 2026 campaign couldn’t have started any worse. He gave up five consecutive hits, including doubles to Masyn Winn and Jordan Walker.
All five of the runners that reached base came around to score, as did three more. After Seymour quickly let the Cardinals back in the game, Cash then turned to two of his high-leverage arms, Garrett Cleavinger and Griffin Jax. Cleavinger let the hit parade continue, allowing singles to Pedro Pages and Victor Scott II.